AN: So, I may have watched the I Got You SYTYCD routine a couple dozen times while writing these chapters. Limited edition Swiss Army knives! But yeah, that's where my head-space is at, hehe.

Teal'c entered the room silently, careful not to disturb the sleeping occupant. Sam was turned away from him. Even so he quickly realized he had been mistaken, she was certainly not asleep. Her posture was too rigid, her breathing that of someone struggling to contain emotion. Now he hesitated, unsure if he should announce his presence or leave her to the solitude that she had but moments before.

He decided on the former. If Sam wanted him to leave she had but to ask. "Major Carter."

She started, quickly turning to him. "Oh, God, Teal'c. I didn't hear you come in."

"It was not my intention to startle you," Teal'c said with an apologetic bow of his head. "Doctor Fraiser had said that you were fatigued. I assumed you would still be sleeping."

"Yeah," Sam sighed, "me too."

Sam's head was propped on one arm, lacking the energy or desire to get up any further. Her mind had prevented her from getting the rest her body clearly needed.

"You are troubled." While it seemed an unnecessary observation, they both knew his words held another purpose entirely. This was his probe, allowing Sam to speak if that is what she wished.

"Janet and I talked a little," Sam said. And there was a pause before she continued somberly. "Unfortunately, everything she said was right."

"Doctor Fraiser is a woman of great wisdom. However, it is clear that this knowledge has brought you no comfort."

Sam rubbed her free hand across her face wearily. "No. It's... hard."

"Much well be painful, I do not doubt." Teal'c noted the frown on her face. "However, I also do not doubt our abilities to overcome."

"Do I really want to know?"

Teal'c needed no elaboration. They all knew her memory was spotty, especially those last hours. He knew she spent most of her time pondering it, even if she was less than open about the whole thing. Teal'c responded with a question of his own. "Has ignorance brought you any comfort?"

He knew the answer already, and so did she. Sam wasn't someone that liked unanswered questions. She was a scientist, among other things, and as such had dedicated her life to the pursuit of knowledge. As much as she may have dreaded it, Teal'c knew that Sam needed to know. She simply couldn't allow herself not to.

Sam's response was to look down at the floor, shaking her head slowly.

"Couldn't you just humor me for a little bit?" Sam asked with a small, humorless laugh. But her words were merely bluster.

"I could not dishonor you in such a way."

"I guess I just need to get it over with already and hope for the best."

Teal'c bowed his head. "May I be of assistance in this endeavor?"

"Please."