AN: I'm really sorry for the long delay in posting. I thought I was in a creatively fertile place... and then suddenly I wasn't. Right now I'm finding it really hard to keep on track with one idea and follow through. But I want to complete this. And yes, this is a short chapter, but it seemed unnatural to break it up later. At least I can assure you I've already started on the next one. I will try to post again asap, but that depends entirely on my muse and work obligations (busy week coming up, eep!).

As always, thanks to all who reviewed :)

A cacophony of noises assaulted her. She felt like she was falling, unable to comprehend that she was feeling the weight of her own body. Sam couldn't quite remember why, but she knew that she had to move. To escape.

"Come on, wake up, Major."

Hands accompanied the voice, tapping her face, removing restraints. It took tremendous effort and concentration just to open her eyes. And for her effort she only got indistinct blurs. Her head throbbed painfully in time to the beating of her heart.

"That a girl," Jack said.

She had many questions, but working her mouth was proving more difficult than her eyelids had been. Despite her efforts, at first she only managed to groan. They were helping her to sit. The shift in altitude caused the blurs to swirl.

"Woah," Sam warned. She gripped arms for dear life as her body felt tossed about in a violent storm. Her eyes closed but that only intensified the sensation. Sam did nothing for several moments as the sensation subsided to a more manageable level.

"Sorry, but we kind of have to go now. Can you walk?"

The reply was automatic. "Yes, sir."

When her feet touched the ground, she simply kept going down. If not for the support of Jack and Teal'c, she would have completed her undignified sprawl on the hard floor. Even when she did manage to get her feet underneath her, Sam knew that she wouldn't be able to maintain the pose without their help.

"Sorry," she offered for her weakness.

"Easy, Carter."

She was too focused on trying to get her legs and body to cooperate to pay attention to the passing scenery. Sam had no idea where they were going, knowing only that it must be the way out. Flashes came to her of the moments before passing out. She wondered what they were going to do to her, but was more than relieved not to be finding out.

They passed through a door to the outside, met by the semi-darkness of night in a city. By then Sam was mostly walking for herself, Teal'c keeping an arm around her waist to help with balance.

"How are we going to make it to the 'gate?" she asked. "They know exactly where we'd be going."

Jack waved a disapproving hand. "You forget, Major, they didn't believe us."

Yeah, she had forgotten that, for a few moments at least. The sedative they had given her was clearly a strong one. She could still feel the spiderwebs tangling in her mind. Instead of dwelling on it, she just kept moving.

Patrols were starting to flood into the streets as they were reaching the outskirts of the city. So far they seemed to be staying ahead. The throbbing in her head renewed with the exertion. Nausea crept up her stomach.

Without warning Sam's legs folded beneath her. Teal'c slowed her descent to her knees. Leaning against a tree, rough bark pressed against the side of her face, Sam couldn't actually remember them making it into the treeline. The thought was fleeting as the nausea had her panting, sucking in shaky breaths trying to keep the contents of her stomach down.

"Carter?" Jack's voice rang with concern.

"Feel sick." Sam barely got out the words before the vomit followed. Violent heaves cramped her chest. A sudden wave of lightheadedness had her once again falling into unconsciousness. But the grips weren't complete. Everything was fragmented, with a hazy quality.

It took her some time to realize she was being carried. More time to recognize the shadows passing above as tree limbs. She watched them pass, mesmerized, until they steadily disappeared. Her addled brain couldn't readily grasp why.

Sam realized that someone was talking. To her. She furrowed her brow, trying to focus.

"Still with us, Carter?" Jack said.

"They drugged me," Sam said, unaware she was stating the obvious. It seemed like a perfectly valid point to voice. She watched Jack shake his head, fighting back a smirk. Why the hell was he laughing at her?

"Score one for the astrophysicist."

Score? Sam didn't even know they were playing a game. The distress was clearly showing on her face. In response his tone turned conciliatory.

"Relax, Major. We'll be home soon."

That calmed her. She trusted him implicitly. And at that moment, all she really wanted was to get back home.

To get back to safety.