A chapter a bit darker than the others... I hope you'll enjoy it. :)
A big thank you to Mel38 for proofreading. ;)

Warning: this chapter contains erotic passages.

-

The sun had only just begun to pierce through the gaps in the SGC's thick iron curtains when Samantha Carter stepped through the base's massive doors. Her determined footsteps echoed through the metal corridors, accompanied by the soft hum of machines and the whispered conversations of the on-duty agents. Her hair was impeccably styled, and her sharp gaze swept over the place with a hint of enthusiasm. Military insignias no longer adorned her uniform, replaced only by the evidence of her scientific expertise.

"Good morning, Dr. Carter," greeted a young sergeant as he passed by, a respectful smile on his lips. She gave him a nod in response. Although her title had changed several weeks ago, being addressed as "Doctor" instead of "Colonel" still stirred a subtle melancholy within her.

The decision to leave the military hadn't been taken lightly. The President of the United States had personally intervened to ensure her transition was smooth. He expressed his respect for her contributions to the program and encouraged her to move forward in a role that would allow her to continue providing her deep expertise while making room for her personal life with Jack.

In the dim light of her lab, Sam was engrossed with her latest puzzle: a scepter adorned with a mesmerizing crystal at its apex. The room was filled with the soft buzzing of machines and computers, each analyzing a part of the object or its effects. On a nearby screen, complex equations scrolled by, bearing witness to Sam's intellectual battle to understand the mechanics of this technology.

On the worktable, a detailed report penned by SG-4 described the circumstances surrounding its discovery on P2X-379. According to them, the scepter had been found in an ancient hidden chamber, guarded by riddles and traps of bewildering sophistication. They mentioned that the chamber appeared to be some kind of laboratory or sanctuary.

Sam, with a furrowed brow, adjusted her safety glasses and cautiously approached the scepter. She gently pressed the button depicting the solid state, and the object responded by illuminating the crystal with a bluish tint. A slight vibration ran through the scepter, causing the liquid inside the crystal to ripple.

Intrigued, she took a small metal plate and brought it close to the artifact. Instantly, the plate softened, becoming malleable like clay. Impressed, she set the plate down, which returned to its solid form after a few seconds, as if nothing had happened.

"Amazing," she whispered, captivated by the power of this technology.

Suddenly, an idea struck her. Sam grabbed a sample of Naquadah and performed the same manipulation. She adjusted the controls, hoping to observe a change in its atomic structure. If she could understand this, she might be able to replicate the effect or even enhance it.

But as she touched the object, she squeezed it a tad too firmly, accidentally activating the gas effect. A dense cloud emanated from the artifact and engulfed the Naquadah. Sam hastily stepped back, surprise evident on her face. When the cloud cleared, the Naquadah sample had completely vanished.

"Well... that wasn't expected," she admitted to herself, a wry smile betraying her mix of excitement and concern.

Recalling the warnings from the report about the latent power of the object, Sam opted for a cautious approach. After all, accidentally disintegrating the SGC base wasn't on her agenda for the day. She delicately returned the artifact to its original spot and grabbed the report, determined to dissect every detail.

Her mind was already racing, anticipating the many sleepless nights ahead, when the lab phone suddenly rang, making her jump.

"Sam? How's it going with the magic stick?" asked a familiar and teasing voice on the other end of the line.

Sam cracked a smile, recognizing Jack's voice, and replied with barely contained enthusiasm, "Technically, it's a phasic converger. It's capable of altering the quantum state of particles on a macroscopic scale. If I'm not mistaken, it could use a modulated Higgs field to vary the mass of particles and hence their state, switching from solid to liquid and even gaseous in an instant."

Jack let out a theatrical sigh on the other end, "Sam... you lost me at 'technically'. So it's a magic stick, then?"

Sam chuckled softly, "Imagine a chocolate bar. Normally, it's solid, right? But with this converger, I could temporarily turn it into a substance as fluid as water, before solidifying it again. It's like we have the ability to play with the fundamental laws of physics. The potential of such technology is immeasurable, especially if we understand how to target these phase transformations on specific objects or within defined areas. This could revolutionize..."

She paused, realizing she'd gotten carried away with her technical explanations, "Jack... are you still there?" she asked, a hint of uncertainty in her voice.

From the other end of the line, a feigned yawn was heard, "So basically, you have... a chocolate blender?"

Sam's bell-like laughter echoed on the other end, "Not quite."

With mock seriousness, Jack added, "Just... don't melt, okay?"

Sam, still amused, replied, "I'll stay solid, I promise."

Yet beneath Jack's playful tone, a hint of concern shone through, "Be careful, Sam."

She nodded, even though he couldn't see her, and murmured, "Don't worry."

Setting the phone aside, she delved back into her experiments, each minute bringing her closer to a new discovery. But as the hours ticked by, a sudden and overpowering weariness descended upon her. Each blink became a battle, the overwhelming sensation of fatigue pulling her down inexorably. The darkness, sweet and irresistible, caught her off guard.

The world of her dreams welcomed her with a city of unparalleled splendor. Titanic pillars of brilliant white seemed to stretch infinitely, reaching towards a shifting sky; it was both eerie and beautiful.

At the center of this city, a grand hall, grander than the rest, drew her attention. She was drawn to it as if by a magnetic force. Inside, two figures conversed. The acoustics of the room carried their voices, resonating with astonishing depth.

An elderly man, a noble and imposing figure, stood with a gravitas that betrayed the importance of their conversation. "It is imperative that everything proceeds as planned," he murmured.

Facing him, a woman, enigmatic and elusive, lifted her eyes to meet his gaze. Her pupils, shining with a supernatural glow, contrasted with the mystery surrounding her. "The threads of fate," she whispered, "are delicate, they can be broken."

A jolt shattered this moment, and Sam felt herself violently pulled away from this world, as if she was being torn from a reality that wasn't her own.

The laboratory, with its familiar coldness, greeted her upon awakening. Her eyes struggled open, squinting against the dim light. The sight of Daniel, looking at her with concern, fully brought her back to reality.

"Sam?" he murmured softly, "Are you okay?"

She shook her head, trying to dispel the images from the dream. "Yes," she said in a weak voice, trying to hide the turmoil washing over her. She ran a hand over her forehead, attempting to mask her discomfort. "Just a long day."

Daniel wasn't fooled, but he chose not to press, "I found something interesting about Hades."

Sam's curiosity was piqued, and she gestured for him to share his findings. He spread out a set of documents, showing diagrams and inscribed texts. "Hades wasn't just any Ancient, Sam. He was considered a guardian of powerful abilities."

As Daniel fervently laid out his explanations, a sharp and unexpected pain shot through Sam. Subtly, she gripped the edge of the table, silently praying for the discomfort to subside. Feeling that sitting worsened her discomfort, she abruptly stood up, murmuring a vague excuse about needing a short break, leaving Daniel surprised and mid-presentation.

She took the elevator. Once inside, the lights flickered before the cabin jolted, coming to a sudden stop between two floors. Darkness consumed the confined space, with only the soft hum of the ventilation breaking the silence. As Sam tried to gather her thoughts, a throbbing pain awakened in the pit of her stomach. She sharply inhaled as she instinctively placed her hand on her abdomen to alleviate the pain.

Her breathing became erratic. The elevator's walls seemed to close in on her, amplifying her panic. She fumbled for the control panel, and her fingers finally found the emergency button, which she pressed frantically, praying internally that the alert would be heard.

For a moment, in the darkness of the elevator, Sam thought she saw a familiar silhouette... It was Teal'c, who seemed to stand on the other side of the doors. She reached out, seeking his support with palpable urgency. But as their fingers were about to touch, Teal'c slowly withdrew his hand, leaving Sam to fall into the elevator's abyssal void.

But it was just a moment, a fleeting vision, for she suddenly came to her senses. The elevator doors opened abruptly, revealing Teal'c, leaning towards her, his eyes filled with concern. He slipped an arm under her shoulders, supporting her as she wobbled.

"Doctor Carter," he murmured, "Are you hurt anywhere?"

As the alarm sirens still rang in their ears, he helped her out of the steel cage, guiding her carefully towards the infirmary.

The long gray corridors of the base, usually echoing with the jokes and laughter of soldiers, resonated with a silence punctuated by worried murmurs. Even the youngest recruits, who had not yet experienced the horrors of interstellar war, could feel the tension. And those who knew General Jack O'Neill knew that when this man showed concern, they had every reason to be as well.

Lost in the semi-darkness of his office, Jack stared at a stack of reports that seemed to stretch endlessly. His silhouette, tense like a bow ready to release an arrow, betrayed a state of constant alertness. Each document seemed to be a map to a treasure he couldn't decipher. It was as if the recent news from Thor had scattered his mind across the corners of the galaxy.

A week ago, Thor had brought news from the High Council. The decision to halt the temporal dilator on Ivadoll had been made. This decision should have been a relief, yet Thor's hesitancy to speak clearly about the mysteries of that planet, combined with the memory of Victor's pale face, adamantly refusing to be sent there, were all red flags for Jack.

Suddenly, he pushed his documents aside with impatience and rushed out of his office. He was driven by an urgency, a visceral need to find Sam. He walked quickly through the corridors, the few people he passed greeted him with a respectful nod, but he was too preoccupied to really notice them.

Around a corner, Jack nearly collided with Daniel, both being engrossed in their own thoughts. Instinctively, Jack grabbed the archaeologist's arm, narrowly avoiding a more forceful impact. Daniel blinked behind his glasses, slightly askew from the near-collision, surprise painting his features.

"Jack!" exclaimed Daniel, his voice betraying slight worry. "Have you heard from Sam? Teal'c told me about the incident in the elevator."

Alarm immediately gripped O'Neill, his heart racing. "What? What incident?"

With an apologetic look, realizing the distress he had just caused, Daniel confessed, "I don't know the whole story. Just that Sam felt unwell."

Without waiting another second, Jack began walking even faster, with Daniel by his side. Every moment seemed to last an eternity, but at last, they arrived at the white doors of the infirmary. Jack didn't hesitate for a moment and rushed in, desperately looking for Sam with his eyes.

He scanned the room with a swift and anxious glance, quickly spotting her. She lay there, staring at the ceiling with a contemplative expression, not exactly the look of someone who had just undergone a traumatic experience.

Dr. Lam was by her side, taking notes on a tablet. Jack approached, his boots echoing softly on the room's floor. He nodded at the doctor before turning his attention to Carter. Their eyes met, "Hey," he whispered, with a faint smile, trying to hide his concern.

Sam gave a shy smile in response. At that moment, Daniel walked in, his eyebrows slightly furrowed in concern. "Are you okay, Sam?"

She nodded. "I'm fine, Daniel. Just a little faintness."

Dr. Lam carefully examined the monitors before turning to them, "Don't worry," she began gently, "Sam experienced a Braxton Hicks contraction. It's a common bodily response towards the end of the first trimester. They can be scary but are typically harmless."

Jack, though often struggling to express his feelings, let out a silent sigh of relief. His hand discreetly found Sam's, their fingers briefly intertwining in a gesture of support.

With a hint of regret in her eyes, Sam confessed, "I inhaled some Naquadah gas. I shouldn't have."

Dr. Lam placed a reassuring hand on Sam's shoulder. "It's most important that you avoid stress as much as possible, Sam. I know it's not easy, but it's vital for you and the baby."

She nodded, then began to sit up slowly. Before she could fully rise, Jack quickly extended a hand to hold her back by the shoulder. "Where do you think you're going?"

She took a deep breath, searching for the right tone, "To my lab. I haven't finished my analysis."

"You're going nowhere until you've rested," Jack declared, his intense eyes locking onto Sam's with protective resolve.

Daniel, having observed the scene from a distance, stepped closer, pushing his glasses further up his nose and crossing his arms, silently reinforcing Jack's stance.

She looked from one to the other before sighing in resignation, "Ok." J

ack let out one of his mischievous smiles, trying to lighten the mood, "If you want to melt some chocolate, we have everything you need at home."

With mock indignation, she rolled her eyes.

The car's headlights carved the road into two long beams of light, making the silence of the night even more tangible. The soft music that emanated from the radio was the only sound filling the cabin, creating an almost surreal atmosphere.

Sam watched the landscape pass by. The trees lining the road gradually transformed into tall pillars, standing in a silent hall. Two figures loomed in the distance. Despite the gap, Sam could hear their voices, soft and melodious, but their words remained elusive.

Jack occasionally cast discreet glances toward Sam. With her half-closed eyes, she seemed to be both in the car and far away, somewhere else. He let her drift in her thoughts, driving with calm concentration.

The silhouettes now appeared very close to Carter, their blurry shapes blending with the fog that had risen. She tried to approach, but her feet refused to move. She felt a presence, an energy, something indescribable that drew her inexorably towards these mysterious figures.

The murmurs grew louder, until she could discern the voice of one of them. A woman, perhaps. Her words were almost unintelligible, drowned in the fog of this place, but Sam managed to catch a few words: "Her birth is just the beginning... A war, darker and more devastating than any you've known, is coming..."

As the voices continued to buzz around her, she felt a gentle warmth on her cheek. She blinked, slowly coming back to reality. Jack, his face lit by the dim light of the car, looked at her with deep tenderness, his hand softly caressing her cheek.

"We're here," he murmured.

She nodded, trying to shake off the lingering images from her mind, wondering if what she had seen was merely a product of her imagination or something far more mysterious.

Jack jolted awake, the cool sheet and the empty space next to him immediately amplifying his worry. Without wasting a moment, he leaped out of bed, barefoot, dressed only in his slightly crumpled boxer shorts and t-shirt.

Rushing out of the bedroom, he scoured the house from end to end, hoping to find Sam at every step. But each room seemed to echo back a sense of solitude. The silent kitchen, the tranquil living room, nothing. Anxiety gripping him, he instinctively pushed open the French doors leading to the roof.

There, in the calm and dim light of the night, he found Sam. She was sitting, back to him, on a lounge chair, wrapped in a comforter, her eyes fixed on the starry sky.

Walking softly so as not to startle her, Jack approached. When he was close, he tried to read her emotions through the profile of her face illuminated by the soft glow of the moon.

"Sam... What are you doing out here?" he whispered.

She turned her head towards him, and although she tried to hide her emotions, Jack could see a myriad of thoughts and anxieties in her eyes. "I can't sleep," she said simply.

He gently nodded, understanding that she wasn't ready to share more. Trying to lighten the mood, he attempted a more casual approach. "Is Victor already causing trouble?"

A fleeting smile appeared on Sam's lips. "No, I can't feel him move yet."

Jack looked at her with palpable tenderness in his eyes. Those deep wells of emotion seemed to be seeking to reassure and comfort her from all the anxieties tormenting her. He reached out, "Come back to bed, you'll catch a cold."

Sam didn't protest, she took his extended hand and stood up to follow him.

Jack slept peacefully, his regular and deep breathing indicating a dreamless sleep. His protective hand was placed on Sam's waist, who was curled up against him, her face nestled in the crook of his neck. Jack's familiar scent gently lulled her. And as her thoughts calmed and fatigue took over, she felt her eyelids growing heavier. Guided by this serenity, she slowly drifted into the arms of sleep.

The tranquility subtly faded away. The shadows in the room dimmed, replaced by the cold brightness of the SGC's neon lights. Sam found herself in a deserted hallway, an oppressive silence overwhelming her. Her footsteps resonated oddly, like a cacophony in this too-quiet environment. Every noise was amplified, each echo seemed a bit too close, a bit too real.

From a distance, whispers. Voices she knew, familiar faces, but everything seemed blurry. Daniel's voice was softly calling her, but he remained elusive, like a shadow in the fog. Sam quickened her pace, desperately looking for a familiar face, a point of reference.

But, suddenly, two silhouettes appeared out of nowhere. They were right there, next to her, yet remained indistinct, like phantoms. Confusion overtook Sam. She couldn't see their faces; everything was foggy, off-kilter.

A cold grip, reminiscent of frozen metal, suddenly clamped around her wrist, yanking her in an unknown direction with unexpected force. Each beat of her heart echoed in her ears, amplified by the urgency of the situation. Darkness engulfed her, a suffocating heaviness weighing on her chest, making each breath a struggle. She wanted to scream, to fight back, but her cries remained imprisoned, as if muzzled by an elusive presence. Anguish gripped her insides, pulling her into an abyss of uncertainty.

Suddenly, a deep and distant voice thundered through the darkness, "Victor must die..."

Then, just as abruptly, reality caught up with her. The room bathed in soft light appeared, reassuring her with its familiarity. She found herself lying down, the sheets slightly disheveled around her, her rapid breathing contrasting with the calm of the room. Jack's face, lit by the glow of the bedside lamp, leaned over her, his eyes filled with deep concern. She could feel the warmth of his hand on hers, driving away the coldness of her nightmare.

Jack sat up slightly, his gaze scrutinizing Sam's distressed features. "What's wrong, Sam? I heard you scream."

Still shaken from the intensity of the dream, she tried to gather her thoughts. Her hair clung slightly to her forehead, and a thin film of sweat beaded on her skin. "I... I don't know," she replied, trying to catch her breath. "I think I had a nightmare."

Her eyes, still haunted by the shadows, stared blankly for a moment before returning to Jack. "It's nothing," he tried to reassure her. He gently slid an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close to him. "It's okay." The mere contact with him seemed to offer her a semblance of comfort. She clung to him, letting the steady rhythm of his heart soothe her.

As she pulled away from the embrace to lean over him, a wave of anticipation washed over Jack. Caught off guard, he was about to question her when their lips met with an almost timid tenderness. But soon, the need for one another grew more pressing, more insistent. The tension between them was palpable, each kiss becoming more passionate, more urgent.

Jack could feel every move, every hesitation of Sam's, as she tried to distract herself from her nightmare through their closeness. He couldn't help but shiver under her gentle touches, each one sending electric waves through him.

The atmosphere in the room became charged with sensual electricity. With agility, Jack reversed their positions, taking the lead, while keeping their lips sealed together. His kiss grew more demanding, more intense, as if he wanted to consume her entirely.

Swiftly, he freed her from her nightgown. The garment disappeared, lost to oblivion, revealing Sam's soft and glowing skin in the dim light of the room. As Jack admired her, a slight movement in the shadows caused Sam's gaze to shift, as if something or someone was watching them from a distant corner.

Jack's eyes traced every curve, every detail, as if seeing her for the first time. Then, slowly, his hands began their exploration. Every brush, every touch ignited shivers of anticipation within Sam.

As his hands began their exploration, Sam felt, beyond the shivers of pleasure, a colder chill, like an icy breeze in a closed room. Jack's mouth followed the path traced by his hands, leaving burning kisses on her skin.

All the worries, all the nightmares faded away, replaced by a consuming passion. Jack had that gift, that ability to make her feel desired, loved, cherished, and tonight, she desperately needed it.

When he gripped Sam firmly by the waist, a distant whisper, barely audible, tickled her ear. Jack's lips, both greedy and soft, traveled her belly, lingering tenderly around her navel. Then, they slid down to the hollow of her thigh, nibbling gently at the skin, before irresistibly moving upwards, as if guided by an unseen force. Every touch chased away the shadows, but they always seemed ready to return as soon as Jack pulled away, even if just for a brief moment.

Lost in a whirlwind of emotions, Sam felt a conflicting tension. While losing herself in passion, she couldn't help but grip the sheets tightly, fearful of the whispers and shadows that threatened to intrude upon this moment. Jack's hand slid, tracing a sensual path from her hip up to her chest. With fervor, he kissed and nibbled at her breasts, delicately sucking each peak. Reacting instinctively, Sam's hips began to sway, responding to the rhythm set by his confident touches.

With an almost torturous patience, Jack's mouth gradually moved down her belly to her intimacy. Her legs parted almost involuntarily. Jack's delicate touch contrasted with the slight feeling of anxiety that tingled within her.

He applied himself with deliberate patience, his tongue drawing delicate circles around her most sensitive spot, while his hands firmly held her thighs. A cry escaped her lips as pleasure overwhelmed her, every cell in her body responding to that distinct sensation. Yet in her mind, the feeling of being watched intensified, as if the shadows in the room had come to life.

As Jack continued his attentions, Sam felt a rising intensity, every swirl of his tongue amplifying what she felt. At times, she could swear she heard a distant whisper, a voice so faint she almost doubted it. Her legs tensed further and her breathing quickened as she felt the gentle pressure of Jack's finger venturing inside her.

The harmony of these two stimulations, external and internal, heightened the pleasure she felt, but also this lingering impression of an unwanted presence. The pressure built up within her, becoming almost unbearable. Her entire body was crying out for release. In a breath tinted with urgency, Sam whispered, "Jack."

Sensing her impending climax, he intensified his oral touch while increasing the depth and pace of his finger, pushing her even further. Suddenly, a wave of pleasure washed over her, the muscles of her intimacy contracting with irrepressible intensity. She let out a deep moan, a mix of surprise and delight. Her fingers intertwined in Jack's hair, pressing him closer to her. In this moment of surrender, the outside world faded away, including her concerns and worries, leaving Sam in a state of pure bliss.

Without giving her time to catch her breath, Jack rose, each movement electrifying the air around them. After shedding his clothes, he carefully positioned himself between Sam's legs. In a fluid yet restrained motion, he entered her slowly, very slowly, prolonging their mutual torment.

Engulfed in desire, Jack's restraint quickly evaporated. His hips began to move with increasing urgency, each thrust diving deeper into her. The gentle slowness of the beginning transformed into a frantic, commanding pace. Sam let herself be carried away by this rhythm, responding with equal passion. In a wild surge, Jack seized her head, capturing her lips in a fiery kiss, his mouth taking hers with insatiable hunger, nibbling on her lower lip.

As Jack continued his motions, a powerful rush of sensations overtook Sam, sweeping her on a tide of ecstasy that coiled deep within her. Her chest heaved erratically, her lungs desperately trying to capture air as pleasure rose.

But just as the onset of another orgasm seemed imminent, a dark veil descended over her mind. The reality as she knew it wavered, taken over by nightmarish visions. The room's gentle warmth was replaced by an icy coldness. Immersed in near-total darkness, she could barely make out the contours of an unfamiliar room. The distant whispers echoed in her ears once again. A woman's voice, deep and urgent, stood out from the rest: "Don't let him touch you... They will obliterate all life…"

Amidst the dense darkness, a faint light emanated from a specific point. Sam gradually discerned the suffering silhouette of Victor. His clothes were torn and stained with blood, indicating a desperate struggle or escape. On his knees, he seemed to bear the weight of the world on his shoulders.

His eyes were the focal point of the scene. They were almost incandescent, and laden with a pain so profound it seemed unfathomable. They conveyed a silent plea, a mute call for help and understanding.

Beside him, two shadows flickered, like spirits from another realm. Their presence was ominous; these figures seemed to represent two teenagers, their features hard to discern as if covered by mist. One of them, perhaps taller with a more athletic build, had a hand firmly placed on Victor's shoulder, holding him in place. The other, with a leaner stature, had forcefully grasped Victor's hair, making him tilt his head painfully backward.

This dark and foreboding vision gradually faded, replaced by the reality surrounding her. The shades of shadow and light blended together, morphing into the concerned figure of Jack, his brown eyes brimming with worry. The world of the bedroom came back into focus around her, the sounds, the sensations, everything seemed amplified.

She suddenly realized that Jack had stopped moving, although he was still deeply anchored within her, all his motions had ceased. Sam's chest rose rapidly, each breath seeming to burn her lungs, as if she had just resurfaced after being submerged.

Jack's eyes searched hers, seeking answers. "Sam," he whispered in a hoarse voice, shaking with emotion. "Are you okay? Did I hurt you?"

The words jumbled in her mind, but she struggled to find the voice to respond. She felt the warmth of Jack's hands framing her face, his thumbs gently stroking her cheeks, as if trying to anchor her to him.

Sam's silent answer was a deep, desperate kiss. She seemed to be trying to anchor herself to reality through her contact with Jack, as if she was fighting against something unseen. The next moment, she flipped their positions, straddling him with feline determination.

Jack, slightly disoriented by this sudden intensity, sat up slightly, trying to understand the shift in behavior. His free hand traced Sam's cheek, pausing briefly at the curve of her lips. "Sam," he murmured in a husky voice, "talk to me."

Ignoring him, Sam intensified her motion. Each tilt of her hips conveyed an exquisite pressure, making Jack feel the tight and enveloping embrace of her core. He could discern every sensation, every patch of warmth, every subtle contraction that welcomed him deeper inside her. The concern he felt was swept away by the delightful torment she was inflicting on him.

An involuntary sigh escaped his lips. With every intimate squeeze from Sam, a doubled wave of pleasure raced through him. The tension built up, pulsating around his manhood, threatening to drown him in impending ecstasy. His hands, now extensions of his desires, gripped Sam's hips firmly. His pelvis responded involuntarily, thrusting with every move, seeking to delve deeper inside her.

He was on the brink of orgasm when something shifted. Sam's eyes went wide, as if she had just seen something terrifying. Swiftly, she disengaged from him, rushing to the edge of the bed, attempting to escape from the visions haunting her. Her hands clung to the sheets, trembling, as if trying to pull herself out of a nightmare.

Her rapid breathing betrayed an intense terror, as if she had just escaped the clutches of an imminent threat. Jack, taken aback, quickly sat up, trying to discern the cause of her distress. "Sam? Damn it, tell me what's wrong!" His voice conveyed palpable anxiety. He moved towards her cautiously, trying to offer some semblance of comfort, but it was clear that Sam was consumed by a fear that eluded his understanding.

As Jack tried to decipher the veil of panic that had overwhelmed Sam, she suddenly started to back away. She stared at him with eyes filled with primal fear, as if he had become, in her eyes, a complete stranger.

"Don't come near me!" she cried out in a hoarse voice, overflowing with distress.

Jack, horrified by this sudden transformation, raised his hands in a pacifying gesture. "What have I done?!"

With every move he made to get closer, she seemed even more terrified, until the wall halted her retreat. "Stay where you are," she said in a threatening voice, her pupils dilated with terror.

"Sam, tell me what's going on," Jack pleaded, his soft voice trying to be a soothing balm against the emotional storm raging within her.

Sam's eyes looked distant, as if she was recalling a painful memory or reliving a nightmare. "They're everywhere. Every time I close my eyes, every time you touch me, I see them!"

Jack's confusion turned into growing concern. He had never seen Sam in such a state, and he felt powerless against the terror consuming her.

He took a deep breath, trying to calm the frantic beating of his heart. With slow and deliberate movements, he approached Sam. It was vital for him to remain calm and reassuring, even though he was grappling with his own confusion and concern. "Who are you talking about? It's just us here," he whispered gently, reaching out to touch her with the utmost care.

She was still shaking, but as he gently wrapped his arms around her, she did not resist. She buried her face in his chest, her wet tears soaking his shirt. "I don't know, Jack." He softly cradled her, murmuring soothing words, trying to bring her back from the edge of her terror.

After what felt like an eternity, Sam's sobs began to subside. The shadows had completely vanished. The tension in her shoulders eased, and though she was still visibly shaken, she seemed to be grounding herself in the present moment again. "Come," Jack said softly, "let's go back to bed; you need to sleep."

Carefully, they got into bed, Jack keeping Sam close to him. The exhaustion weighing on her was palpable, every muscle in her body crying out for relief after the emotional ordeal. He cradled her gently, allowing the warmth of his embrace to reassure her. Her heavy, tired eyes battled sleep for a while, but exhaustion finally won out. In the ensuing silence, Sam drifted deep into sleep within the protective arms of Jack.

However, he remained awake, lost in his thoughts. The night's events had unsettled him, and he was determined to shed light on the situation.

Sam made her way to her laboratory, seeking refuge in the scientific puzzles she loved to solve. There, on her workbench, sat the phasic converger. Her hands brushed against the object, seeking an escape from the storm raging within her.

As she delved into her analysis, a feeling of unease washed over her. The numbers, instead of reassuring her with their logic, seemed to push her toward a truth she feared uncovering. Memories of the previous night were blurry and fragmented. However, one thing was clear: she dreaded falling asleep.

As her eyelids grew heavier, the room began to warp. The sounds around her turned into indistinct murmurs. She saw herself elsewhere, surrounded by shadows and whispering voices.

However, a whisper, akin to the wind's breath through a crack, suddenly brought her back to the present moment. She blinked, her gaze quickly scanning her familiar laboratory. The artifact remained still before her. A quick image of Victor, his face twisted with immeasurable pain, flashed in her mind. She could hear her own voice, promising him that she would do everything in her power to save him. The distress in his eyes deeply affected her.

The desire to escape overwhelmed her. She felt like the walls of the laboratory were closing in, threatening to imprison her. The idea of falling asleep here terrified her. She had to get out, but the main door was out of the question. Too many people, too many questions. She had to find a discreet way out before sleep overcame her and plunged her back into the whirlwind of her nightmares.

Driven by an almost feverish urgency, Sam rushed towards the small corridor adjacent to her laboratory. A discreet metal plaque marked "Emergency Exit" showed her the way to freedom. Sam cautiously opened the door, casting a nervous glance behind her to ensure no one had seen her. She strode down the corridor in large steps, her heels clicking on the floor, the sound echoing off the narrow walls.

As she ran, emotions flooded over her. Fear, guilt, shame... Everything intertwined, forming a whirlwind that swept her further away. She didn't hear the voices calling her back, too focused on her escape.

Once outside, she took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm raging within her. The trees surrounding the complex stood still, a stark contrast to the chaos she felt inside. She buried her face in her hands, attempting to gather her thoughts. She knew she couldn't run forever, but for now, all she desired was a moment of peace.

Moving away from his desk covered in ancient Greek texts, Daniel stretched out, feeling his muscles relax after hours of intense reading. Although he was engrossed in his study, a thought suddenly occurred to him: he hadn't spoken with Sam since the day before. He wondered how she was doing.

He walked slowly through the metallic corridors of the SGC, passing by soldiers in uniforms and scientists in lab coats. Upon reaching the door of the laboratory, he opened it cautiously, expecting to find Sam engrossed in an experiment. However, to his great surprise, the room was empty. The atmosphere felt odd, as if it had been abandoned hastily. Her computer was on, her notes were scattered, and a half-full coffee cup sat on a corner of her desk.

Worry gripped him. "Sam?" he called out softly, hoping she might be in some corner of the room. But no response reached him.

Daniel hurried through the bustling hallways of the base. The ambient sounds of military routine echoed around him, but he paid them no mind. Every intersection, every turn held the hope of encountering Sam. Yet, she seemed to have vanished in this vast labyrinth. His footsteps led him to the training room, where he found Teal'c and Jack engaged in a game of ping-pong.

When Daniel cleared his throat, Teal'c was in the serving position. This slight distraction caught O'Neill off guard, causing him to miss the ball, which slipped out of his reach.

"Daniel! Really?" Jack protested, exaggerating his annoyance.

With a sly smile, Teal'c observed the scene. "Even without Daniel Jackson's intervention, you have a regrettable tendency to lose your points, O'Neill."

Jack raised an eyebrow, pretending not to understand, then bent to retrieve the ball, already preparing for the next exchange.

Daniel crossed his arms, concerned. "Has anyone seen Sam? I'm looking for her."

Jack, in the middle of his movement, came to a sudden stop, the ball still in his hand. "I accompanied her to the doctor this morning. We... well, she had a rough night. She's probably in her lab now."

Daniel sighed, slightly exasperated. "That's the thing, I just came from there, and she's not there."

The relaxed atmosphere in the room vanished abruptly. Jack and Teal'c exchanged a meaningful glance. The game was definitely over. The trio immediately set out to search for her.

Sam was still outside the base, her shoulders slightly slumped, her gaze lost in the natural landscape. Her turbulent thoughts had subsided, and her heartbeat had returned to a normal rhythm.

Lost in her reflections, a sense of vulnerability washed over her. These nightmares... they were unlike anything she had ever experienced before. They were disturbingly intense and real.

Memories of her hours of work with the phasic converger flooded her mind. Could this artifact be the cause of these nightmares? The question gnawed at her, driving her to seek answers.

She decided to return to the SGC and talk to Daniel. He was her best chance at unraveling this mystery. Gathering her courage, she walked resolutely toward the entrance of the base.

Pushing open the door to the archaeologist's office, Sam was greeted by a heavy, almost palpable atmosphere. She spotted Daniel deeply engrossed in his work, hunched over his desk.

"Am I interrupting?" Sam asked, hesitating.

Daniel looked up, his eyes settling on her with surprise. He quickly straightened up. "Oh, Sam! I've been looking for you! Where have you been?"

A timid smile graced her face. "I stepped out for some fresh air. Daniel, I need to talk to you about something."

Intrigue was written all over Daniel's face as he approached. "I'm listening."

In Daniel's hands, an object gleamed with a peculiar shine, immediately capturing Sam's attention. Recognizing it, she felt her pulse quicken. "Daniel," she began, tension palpable in her voice, "what are you doing with this blade?"

Daniel's eyes lit up with intense excitement. "I believe we have something exceptional here. From what I've deciphered, this could very well be the Blade of Atlas. The legend tells of Atlas bearing the weight of the sky on his shoulders. However, some texts also mention that he possessed formidable weapons, and among them, a blade capable of inflicting an eternal curse. I'm convinced this is the one we have here."

He spun the object in his hand, the golden reflections dancing on the wall. Sam, though fascinated by Daniel's discourse, felt a wave of apprehension wash over her. She tried to turn away, but Daniel, suddenly aggressive, grabbed her arm.

"Do you believe the blade can still kill Victor?" he whispered in a sinister voice.

Sam panicked, trying to break free from his grip. "What? Daniel, what's gotten into you?!"

The strange determination emanating from him was palpable. Daniel, as if possessed by an external force or entity, took a step closer, tightening his grip on Sam's arm. His eyes, once filled with gentleness, now shone with a cold and relentless gleam. "I must try, Sam. For the greater good."

As she tried to comprehend what was happening, Daniel, in a swift and brutal motion, knocked her to the floor. The flickering lighting in the room, caused by the instability of the blade or some energy it emitted, made the scene all the more nightmarish. Daniel's labored breathing, his eyes now almost black and devoid of any humanity, were those of a predator ready to pounce on its prey.

Pinned down by the weight of Daniel on top of her, Sam felt his icy hand around her throat, squeezing, gradually cutting off her oxygen. His fingers were like talons, cold and merciless. She struggled to breathe, each breath becoming a battle. Daniel's other hand, wielding the Blade of Atlas, gleamed with an unhealthy light.

He leaned in, his mouth close to Sam's ear. "He doesn't deserve to live, Sam," he whispered with a voice that was no longer his own, hoarse and filled with hatred. He pushed aside the fabric of her t-shirt, exposing her belly. The cold, sharp sensation of the blade grazed her skin, sliding slowly and dangerously close to her abdomen. She could feel the metal, cold and menacing, poised to deliver the fatal blow.

Sam's desperate attempts to break free from Daniel's grip were in vain. Her vision blurred, her eyes started to roll back, her mind grew muddled under the weight of oxygen deprivation. Sharp pain pierced through her as the blade penetrated her flesh. A shock of horror surged through her body, rendering her screams silent...

Then, everything faded away. Complete darkness.

Sam sat up abruptly, her breath quickened, and her heart racing. She found herself in the mess hall, facing Teal'c. The towering Jaffa, usually so stoic and unflappable, had abandoned his meal, a fork suspended halfway between his plate and his mouth. His posture was frozen, and his large, dark eyes held a rare concern, their intensity a stark contrast to the warrior's usual tranquility. He stared at Sam so intensely that it heightened her sense of discomfort and vulnerability. "Doctor Carter," he said in a deep voice, "Are you alright?"

Her hands were still trembling, sweat beading on her forehead, and it took her a moment to realize that it had all been a product of her imagination. "What am I doing here?"

Teal'c set down his fork. "You had disappeared from the base. I found you in Daniel Jackson's office. I offered to have lunch with you."

The mere sound of his voice, his calm tone, should have brought comfort to Sam. However, every word was drowned beneath the tumultuous flow of her thoughts, the terrifying images of Daniel, and the lingering sensation of the blade. She felt her breath becoming erratic, her hands trembling. Fear and confusion were evident on her face. Was she still dreaming or was she really sitting in the mess hall?

Unable to find her words, she stood abruptly, knocking over her chair in the process. She avoided Teal'c's piercing gaze, her escape motivated more by the need to flee the oppression of her visions than by any logical reason.

Standing before the door to her office, she rushed inside, closing it behind her with frantic speed. The room was plunged into darkness, with only a faint light from outside outlining the objects. Sam slumped against the door, her chest rising rapidly with panic. The coldness of the metal doorknob against her back, the muffled sound of ventilation, everything seemed amplified in her ears.

She knew she needed to calm down, to try to rationalize her emotions. Yet, every time she closed her eyes, she saw Daniel's face contorted in rage, felt the pressure of his fingers around her throat. She curled up into herself, trying to reassure herself, to convince herself that it was all just a product of her imagination. But the terror was all too real. And she wondered how much longer she could endure it.

Struggling to control her breathing, Sam crouched down even further, her back still pressed against the cold, rigid door of her office. She desperately tried to escape the turmoil of her emotions, to find some semblance of inner peace. The palms of her hands were pressed against her ears, as if this simple gesture could protect her from the tumult raging within her.

The moment her eyelids closed, she was overwhelmed by a flood of strange, disconnected images, as if they were projected on a screen in front of her. It was different from her usual nightmares, older, more mystical.

She saw a feminine figure enveloped in a long, flowing robe. Her black hair cascaded around a stern yet beautiful face.

The woman's lips moved silently, and although Sam couldn't hear the sound of her voice, she caught fragments of words, "Daniel is right. Victor must not live, or all life will disappear."

The vision faded, leaving Sam lost and desperately trying to understand what she had just experienced. Who was she? And what did those words mean? The danger seemed closer than ever.

Sam's breathing gradually calmed. A wave of vulnerability washed over her, urging her to seek comfort from Jack. Taking a deep breath to gather her strength, she walked resolutely towards her office. However, without realizing it, her feet guided her to the conference room.

Upon entering, she was greeted by Teal'c's concerned look, who seemed to be explaining something to O'Neill. Daniel was there too, but what made Sam's heart leap was the sight of the Blade of Atlas in his hand. It gleamed with an unhealthy light.

Without really thinking, caught in an uncontrollable spiral of panic, she lunged at Daniel, desperately trying to wrest the object from his hand. She screamed, fear and terror overwhelming her completely. Jack, taken aback, tried to intervene, attempting to grasp Sam by the shoulders to calm her down. But she fought with superhuman strength, the images of her nightmare where Daniel attacked her with this very blade flooding her mind.

"Sam, for God's sake! Stop!" Jack shouted, trying to reason with her. But she didn't listen, her gaze fixed on the blade, thinking it was her only chance to protect herself.

Daniel, completely disoriented by the sudden assault, released the blade in confusion. Sam seized it, and in a desperate gesture, almost drove it into her own abdomen. Everything seemed to unfold in slow motion for the three men in the room.

But Teal'c sprang into action with astonishing speed. He firmly grasped Sam's wrist, preventing her from committing the unthinkable. She fell to her knees, exhausted and trembling, tears streaming down her face.

Jack, realizing the intensity of Sam's distress, quickly approached her. He gently held her face in his hands, his eyes delving deeply into hers, trying to bring her back to the present, away from the horror that seemed to engulf her.

"Sam, breathe. Look at me," he said in a soft yet firm voice, attempting to capture her attention. Sam's glazed eyes gradually focused on Jack's, but they still held residual terror.

"Teal'c, go get Dr. Lam. Right now!" Jack ordered, never taking his eyes off Sam.

Teal'c nodded silently and headed towards the exit. However, in an unexpected burst of strength, Sam pushed Jack away forcefully. Pale, with dilated pupils displaying evident fear, she whispered in a trembling voice, "Victor."

Deep within her mind, an apocalyptic vision of Washington unfolded: the city was reduced to a smoldering heap of rubble, the air thick with the wails of tormented souls. At its center stood Victor, like a cruel monarch reveling in his conquest. The malevolent aura radiating from him was suffocating, making the essence of his destructive power palpable. His smile, filled with icy malice, revealed his deadly intentions. He fixed his impenetrable gaze upon her and declared in a dark, menacing voice, "I will destroy everything, and no one will be able to stop me."

Sam's cry echoed throughout the room. Jack tried to hold her in his arms, desperately attempting to calm her. The look of panic in Sam's eyes was intensifying, her ragged breaths a testament to her inner struggle. The image of Victor overlapped with that of Jack, her reality wavering between nightmares and the present. "Victor! Don't do this!" she screamed.

Suddenly, with a burst of strength, Sam pushed Jack away, and her feet propelled her forward instinctively. The lights of the base's corridors swiftly passed around her, her hair billowing behind her. In her tormented mind, she saw Victor moving away through a Stargate. She desperately tried to reach him, but the distance between them seemed insurmountable.

The surroundings around her blurred, the cold, metallic corridors melding into a myriad of colors and lights until she found herself in the vastness of the embarkation room. Alarms blared, alerting to the crisis situation.

Jack and Teal'c, who had followed her, burst into the room, panting from the pursuit. The military personnel present, panicked and not understanding Carter's erratic behavior, raised their P90s, taking her as a target.

"Lower your weapons! That's an order!" Jack shouted with undeniable authority. Despite their hesitation, the soldiers complied.

But Sam, in an unpredictable move, seized the sidearm of a soldier too close and pointed it at Jack and Teal'c.

"Don't move!" she yelled.

Teal'c, his stoic expression belying the gravity of the situation, attempted to intervene. "Doctor Carter, we are not your enemies."

Sam looked around, trying to sort through her muddled thoughts. Every face seemed unfamiliar, every sound amplified her emotional exhaustion.

"Where am I?" she murmured, her strength gradually waning.

Jack, moving slowly forward, spoke with a gentle and reassuring voice. "Sam, it's me, Jack. You're safe. Please, put the weapon down."

The distress in Sam was palpable, her eyes filled with tears reflecting unbearable pain. In an act of absolute desperation, she redirected the weapon from Jack and Teal'c to point it at her own temple. Every fiber of her being seemed to scream the need to escape this hell she perceived as her reality. The atmosphere in the room became heavy, electric.

Overwhelmed by terror, an obsessive thought invaded her mind: what if the only way to escape this incessant nightmare was to pull the trigger? Perhaps then, she thought, she would be freed from this torment and finally wake up, safe at last. The idea of such a definitive escape seemed, in her state of distress, to be the only glimmer of hope.

As Sam was about to squeeze the trigger, time stretched strangely, turning each moment into an eternity. Jack's cry, filled with anguish, reverberated through the corridors, sounding like a distant echo. He lunged towards her, hoping to reach Sam before she could commit the irreparable.

As he advanced towards her, the distress that had shone in Sam's eyes gradually faded away. The weapon slipped from her hand before she could pull the trigger, hitting the floor with a metallic sound. Sam's body followed suit, collapsing gently, as if she had suddenly been freed from all gravity.

Jack dove, catching her just before her head touched the ground. He held her in his arms, feeling the fragility of her body against his. Her breath was erratic, his fingers desperately seeking a pulse.

The embarkation room, usually bustling with constant activity, was now plunged into an icy silence. Jack's short breaths and the soft hum of machinery in the background were the only discernible sounds. Teal'c stepped forward, relieved that disaster had been averted. In a brotherly gesture, he placed his hand on Jack's shoulder, offering silent support.

Jack's throat was tight with emotion. "Stay with me, Sam," he whispered, holding her tighter as he carefully rose to carry her. The door to the embarkation room opened before them, admitting a medical team that hurried to tend to Carter.

In the mystical realm of Ivadoll, beyond the known mountains and charted rivers, stretched a territory few dared to name. This place, absent from most maps, was a wild tangle of dense forests, so thick that it seemed to devour the edges of the world, plunging its visitors into a shroud of darkness and mystery.

The air, heavy with stifling humidity, vibrated with latent energy. Towering trees, with gnarled trunks, reached for a sky often unseen, their intertwined branches forming a tight mesh like the hands of ancient entities eager to grasp lost souls. Mist silently crept among the trees, giving the forest a dreamlike atmosphere where the boundary between dream and nightmare was blurred.

Hidden within this tangle of vegetation, ancient stone columns stood tall, remnants of a forgotten era. And there, between these columns, two contrasting figures stood: a woman with a piercing gaze, her ebony hair flowing like a river of ink down her shoulders. Her dark, flowing robe gave her the appearance of a priestess from another world. Next to her, an old man, tall and charismatic, wore a long gray toga.

In the delicate hand of the priestess rested a feather of immaculate whiteness, contrasting sharply with the darkness of her robe. She would raise it from time to time, like a magic wand, towards the beyond, murmuring words that seemed to come from a forgotten language. Each incantation drew her deeper into a profound trance.

The sky, previously clear, suddenly became covered with a thick mass of black clouds, as dark as the abyss. Without warning, a silver-streaked lightning bolt tore through the celestial vault and struck the feather in her hand with fury. The impact was so violent that the feather shattered into a thousand sparkling particles.

The priestess made a sudden movement, pushing back a stray strand of hair from her forehead. Her eyes, abyssal black, gleamed with tangible terror. "I was so close to achieving my goal... Samantha Carter was about to take her own life," she confessed, her voice trembling.

The man, his eyes fixed on the sky, displayed deep contempt. His face was contorted with smoldering rage. He clenched his fist, his voice vibrating with indignation. "Hades! You have overstepped the rules! You had no right to interfere!"

The priestess crouched gently, her fingers delicately touching the scattered feather fragments on the ground. With eyes filled with melancholy, she murmured, "The feather of Hypnos has been destroyed. I can no longer manipulate his sleep."

Charon, with his sunken cheeks and pallid skin stretched over prominent bones, clenched his teeth, accentuating the dark veins on his neck. His deeply set eyes gleamed with cold determination as he retorted, "I will find another way to obliterate Victor."

"The clock is ticking," the priestess began, her forehead furrowing in an expression of urgency. Her bright and piercing eyes fixed on Charon intensely. "The birth of the heirs of Poseidon and Zeus will disrupt the destiny you envisioned. Together, they will form the Weapon of the Gods that will thwart your ambitions."

He shot her a sharp look, his eyes gleaming with cold anger. "How could they be born?! We had a deal! You were supposed to ensure that Carter and O'Neill no longer had physical relations!"

"The feather has immense power," the priestess stated, her hands trembling slightly, betraying a hint of concern. "But its destruction has compromised my ability to keep Samantha under control. My influence has weakened, and I can no longer guarantee it completely."

"No matter, if it happens, I will reduce all three of them to nothing," Charon spat out with cold determination.

She firmly grasped his arm, urgency gleaming in her eyes, trying to warn him, "United, they are an unstoppable force. And Zeus, the most formidable of all, will not yield to any adversity."

Despite the warning, Charon smiled, "Don't worry, Victor won't survive, and the others will never see the light of day."

The priestess stared intensely at him. "Never forget the debt you owe me. My help was not free."

In the thick air, tension was palpable. He knew she was a valuable ally but also a formidable adversary if she felt betrayed. "I am aware of our agreement," he said in a low, measured voice. "When the time comes to settle my debt, I will be ready."

Enveloped in a darkness that seemed to absorb all surrounding light, she gently inclined her head. "Be cautious, Charon, the thread of fate unravels with every step. Can you hear the whispers of the darkness that lurk?"

In an icy tone, Charon retorted, "I hear only the omen of my triumph."

Then, with an almost supernatural stealth, Charon vanished into the thick darkness of the forest, his footsteps fading as if swallowed by the night. The priestess remained motionless, shrouded in the enchanting aura of the place, and the whispers of ages past murmured to her ancient prophecies, unsettling her receptive soul.

To be continued...