As we escaped the briefing, I took a shuttering breath. The Tok'ra were here. And I was one of them. Oh, God. I closed my eyes and exhaled, decreasing my rising heart rate. I sighed, and shot a quick look at Jack. Despite my best efforts, anger bubbled through me, chasing away thoughts of my impending Tok'ra induced panic attack. What was Jack's problem? I was having a difficult time adjusting to this, and he should know that! Sam noticed, Teal'c is supporting me, but he just goes off and is acting like an asshole. Why on earth would he do that? I murmured some not-so-complementary things about Jack under my breath, and Sam started, looking over at me with wide eyes. Oops. Forgot that she has hawk hearing. Well, I'm guessing that everyone heard me (I mean, I have a Jaffa, a former black ops guy, and a well trained air force major on my team), but they weren't letting on. I sighed, sending a glare toward Jack, which he returned. Ugh, why was he in such a foul mood? I'm Tok'ra, not Goa'uld. Tok'ra… No. Don't think about it. I shuddered. But, why was he not helping me through this like a good team leader? That bastard was making it harder for me. Why would he do such a thing?

I believe that I know why.

"What?" The group stopped in the hallway outside the briefing room, and my three team members shot me strange looks.

"Crap. Uh, never mind." I tried to look nonchalant.

They nodded, looking suspicious, but turned away. I sighed in relief.

Okay… so why is he acting like a colossal ass?

Well, according to your memories, he's not a big fan of the Tok'ra, correct?

Yes…

Maybe is's upsetting for him to see you, a valued team member and friend, hosting a Tok'ra, who he obviously does not like.

And that gives him permission to just treat me like week old garbage?

No, of course not, I was just giving an answer to your question.

Alright. Thanks.

No problem at all.

Sam and I split off from the guys and headed toward my office for a quick break before we discussed my… interesting… situation with the Tok'ra in more detail. We shuffled into the dark space and I flicked on the lights absently, taking a seat. I noticed Sam was just staring at me, not taking her usual seat.

"Sam? What's wrong?"

She looks like she's been bit by a Wek'lat.

What the hell is a Wek'lat? Oh, God. Jack's been wearing off on me.

A small creature who's venom causes… intestinal problems.

That's kind of rude to say about Sam. She's my best friend. Actually… um… In truth, she kind of does.

Sam cleared her throat for the third time, I actually started to wonder if she was bitten by a Wek'lat, "Sam?"

"Um… It's nothing." She turned away and took a seat, studying an artifact sitting on my desk.

Obviously not nothing.

You think?

I do.

I was being sarcastic.

Why?

Because… oh, just forget it.

I am not likely to forget this. The Tok'ra have very good memories.

God, why did I have to get stuck with the socially inept Tok'ra?

I don't believe that 'God' will answer you, as you are talking in your head.

Okay, now you're just doing that on purpose.

—

I sighed as twirled my chair around in the briefing room. We had taken our break from the idiot snaky bustards, and had come back for further discussion with the Tok'ra. I glanced at T after my 360, and saw him staring at me creepily.

"Uh… T? Got something to tell me?" I raised my eyebrows at him. Still hadn't perfected the single-eyebrow-raise yet. It was harder than it looked.

"I do not, O'Neill. I do, however, have a question." He waited, silently asking for my permission to continue.

"Okay. If you stop staring creepily at me, then I'll answer your question."

I swear I saw him smile slightly, "Why are you treating Danielle Jackson with such malice?"

Way to cut to the chase, "She's the one who's acting as if I murdered her husband or something." I flinched at my poor choice of words, "Ah, hell. Sorry, T."

He bowed his head, "It is alright, O'Neill. Please continue."

"I mean, every time I turn around, she's glaring daggers at me. That's not my fault."

"Indeed it is."

My eyebrows climbed even higher than earlier, "May I ask why?"

"You may." There was an awkward pause, and I realized he actually wanted me to ask why.

"Okay. Explain to me why this is all my fault."

"You were the one to express irritability and anger toward Danielle Jackson, and she is only responding to that. You gave her no reason for your anger, and she did not give you a reason to be angry. This made Danielle Jackson upset and angry toward you. Everyone is unsure of why you are infuriated with Danielle Jackson. That is why my original question was stated."

"And that was…" I gestured for him to fill in the blank.

"Why are you treating Danielle Jackson with such malice?"

"Oh." It was astonishing as to how perceptive Teal'c had gotten.

Teal'c raised an eyebrow as if to ask Well?

I cleared my throat, "Oh! Um, It's just that… you know." It wasn't often that the tough Colonel O'Neill was rendered unable to come up with a good cover story.

Teal'c raised an eyebrow again and tilted his head for good measure.

I sighed, "T, you know that I care for Dani, right?"

"Indeed I do, O'Neill." He looked at me triumphantly for a moment, then his face reversed back to calm stoicism.

"Um, well, I'm kind of angry at that stupid Tok'ra for taking her. I mean, I hate the Tok'ra, and I…"

"Love." Teal'c supplied helpfully.

"No…"

Teal'c just stared at me.

"Alright. Fine. I can say it." I paused, and he just continued to stare stoically at me, "And… and, I love Dani. It's just kind of awkward, and that Tok'ra is making me mad."

"And so you are releasing your anger at Danielle Jackson." He nodded, confirming the statement.

"No…"

Another stare down. I lost, as usual.

"Fine. Yes, I'm mad at Dani too, now. She's siding with that damn snake!" My anger erupted again, making my voice rise.

He opened his mouth to respond, probably to tell me to calm myself, when the door opened, and Carter and Dani entered the room. I glared at Dani, my talk with Teal'c having abated none of my anger. She matched my glare, sending some daggers my way with her ice blue eyes. They both sat down, Dani never breaking her glare. In the middle of our stare off, the Tok'ra and General Hammond walked into the room and took a seat. This was going to be an interesting briefing.