Author's Note: Here we are again. One more chapter after this one.

I move to the crossroads and look out. Men surround the Stargate and I wonder if there is a way to cause a diversion so that we can dial the gate and escape. I know we don't have much time and we don't have nearly enough firepower to take out the six soldiers.

I look over at Vala and she's much better shape than I am. I turn my head quickly; the ghosts are back edging at my vision but I choose to ignore them. I know they are not real and they can't hurt me. I close my eyes counting to ten to gain control once more.

Opening my eyes I see what needs to be done, the visions have changed. I see flames all around me; specters are ablaze and a plan begins to form. Spinning around I look for a panel.

Returning to Vala I quickly outline my idea and she shakes her head. "Are you crazy? I mean, this is your plan? We cut the power and start a fire?"

Shrugging, I ask, "You got a better idea?"

Vala shakes her head. "Well then plan A it is. What do I need to do?"

I hand her back her knife. "Shred the blankets and anything else. We're going to create a fire right here." I hand over a few of the large sticks that have blown in through the broken windows. "I saw a lighter like thing in the packs. Use it to start the blankets on fire while I cut the power. Hopefully the soldiers will come to check out what happened and we'll be able to pick them off.

"Then we hug the wall moving toward the DHD and dial the Alpha site. If there are soldiers left I'll take care of them while you dial. You will go through immediately, don't wait for me. One of us has to get home.

"Samantha, there is no way I'm leaving you here to die."

"I'm not planning on letting you. I want to get home and have a steak dinner with all the fixings and a pound of chocolate."

"It's a date Sam and I want cheesecake to go with the chocolate, now that stuff is heavenly."

"I'll see you on the other side, Vala."

"You bet you will."

Looking up and down the hall, I open the control panel and take out a knife. I begin to cut wires, not giving myself time to think. All around us the lights flash, flicker and then fade leaving us in total darkness. I can hear the panicked whispers of the men around the Stargate.

Vala grabs my hand and squeezes it. "I'll see you soon, Sam."

Knowing time is of the essence I squeeze back and let go. I hate to leave her but I know I must. Slipping through the dark and smoke I go on the hunt. I take out one, two, three men, but I can't find the others. I see Vala light her torch and she starts dialing the 'gate. The soldier's there right behind her. I only have time to call out her name, but Vala moves swiftly, blocking his blow and using her zat she takes him out.

That leaves only two more and we are out of time. I can hear more men coming as the gate continues to spin and I find myself repeating Walter's mantra. Chevron one locked... two… three... four... five... six... seven. I reach Vala just as the vortex settles into the event horizon. I wrap my arm around her shoulder and we struggle up the steps, falling together into the puddle.

We tumble out of the wormhole to find a desolate world as the wormhole snaps off behind us. The buildings still look new, but there is a dejected air about them. Already leaves and other debris has gathered in the doorways

As I suspected, our people have abandoned this Alpha site. I'm sure it's because of mine and Vala's capture but I hoped someone might still be here after six weeks. For just a moment I feel helpless, but I get Vala to her feet. "Do you think they left us anything?"

The two of us shuffle up to the main structure and start searching the drawers for something, anything, that will help. Then finally hidden underneath one of the cabinets I find the jackpot, a radio. I smile, Daniel always hid one at the Alpha Site just in case.

Vala smiles when I show her the radio.

I can't help but smile in return. "Shall we phone home and see if they'll come get us?"

Tears stream down Vala's face. "Sounds heavenly, because you owe me a bath and pancakes."

The gate finishes spinning and we all wait to see what will happen.

Daniel and Teal'c stand on each side of me tense and ready. The metal ring finishes its final rotation after the kawoosh settles into a puddle the iris closes with a click.

Silence descends as Mitchell comes to stand on the far side of Teal'c; we all wait creating a strange tableau.

"SGC this is Colonel Samantha Carter. Vala Mal Doran is with me. We'd like to come home. Please send someone to come and check us out so we can come home."

Relief runs through me and Mitchell slaps my shoulder. "This is what I'm talking about. I knew they'd get out. You can't keep Carter or The Princess down!" He turns to me. "I guess we're not going to see the Tok'ra, no need now. Never liked those guys anyway."

He turns and looks up toward General Landry. "Sir, can Teal'c and I withSG-3 go check this out? If everything is kosher I'll send for the doccheck the ladies out. She's got some portable doodad can make sure they ain't snakes, thanks to the Atlantis folks."

I look up at Landry, who nods. Daniel hands me a radio and limps toward the base of the 'gate.

Landry's voice echoes across the room. "Dr. Jackson, you are not cleared for duty. I'll allow you to head off world when it's determined that everything is safe."

I see Daniel slump but he says nothing and I speak into the radio. "Sam, Mitchell and Teal'c and some friends are coming through. Danny's laid up with a bum ankle or he'd join the party, he'll come through with the doc. They'll be through after I make sure everything's secure."

"We'll be here, Sir."

There were sounds of a scuffle and then a new voice came over the radio. "This is Vala. I want some cheesecake. Daniel knows the kind I like. Make sure someonebrings it or else. Have the guys bring a few rations. We're down to bare bones here."

The wormhole snapped off just as Dr. Lam appears ready to go, looking apprehensive about going off world. Once the 'gate is dialed the others disappear into the puddle.

Dr. Lam looks up at her father and I understand her nervousness. Mitchell comes over the radio to give the all clear for the doctor to come through the 'gate. I take a deep breath; it looks like things will be all right.

This story is now complete on my personal website. To find it just Google my penname. You can also follow me on facebook (you want my page not my profile (I created that and have no idea how to get rid of it, I never use it) to get updates other than here. (When I post a new story I post it there two-three weeks before I post here.) There used to be a link on my profile but it seems to have disappeared. This site won't let you post outside links in the story that's why the address isn't here.

Thank you for reading and I hope you come back again. :0)

Also I have now published my second work of original fiction on kindle. It's a novella called Red Colony: Odyssey. If you search for my real name, Kelli Bullock on amazon you'll find it and my first novella.