Summery: A routine trip off-world has long-lasting effects for SG-1. Meanwhile, Jack has terrestrial trouble too, when his half-sister is recruited to the SGC and his worlds threaten to collide and all his secrets are in danger of being exposed.

Disclaimer: I do not own "Stargate SG-1" the series. I believe it is owned by MGM. No copyright infringement is intended. No disrespect is intended. I am merely intrigued by the possibilities.

A Matter of Degrees

by: Visions2share a.k.a. Vi

Bound to the Colonel?

New images replaced those that had been on repeat in Sam's mind for months. She no longer saw one scene of passionate love making transition to another on an endless loop of yearning and denial. Instead, she saw scenes of domestic life: fixing dinner together, tidying the house before company arrived, stargazing on his roof, cuddling on the couch while she read a scientific journal and he watched a hockey game, even standing side-by-side in front of the double vanity in his master bathroom brushing their teeth in the morning bed head and all. Before, the stories she watched play out lacked any connection to her real world other than the presence of the Colonel - the backgrounds stark and impersonal. Unreal.

But scenes of domestic bliss were just as unreal; just as beyond her reach. He was her commanding officer - being involved would ruin both their careers. And he would never be genuinely interested in her anyway. Oh, she knew that as the good commanding officer, the excellent man, he was he would sacrifice his career to see her returned to health - but she couldn't let him do that. Wouldn't let him do that. Jack O'Neill was vital to the program - not just an incredible field commander, but a rallying point capable of turning foes to allies and allies to friends. The SGC could not exist without him and she'd condemn herself to any punishment before she'd be the reason it lost him.

Sam knew there were several conversations going on around her, but she couldn't pick out the Colonel's voice. Had he left?

She could hear Daniel, Heimdall, Thor, General Hammond, Janet, Teal'C's occasional rumble and, most troubling of all, her father. Why was he here? She distinctly remembered Janet saying she wouldn't call him - course that didn't mean that one of the others hadn't done it for her. Damn them.

All Sam had ever wanted growing up was to make her father proud of her. It should have been such a simple thing. But her being born female kept getting in the way. She preferred academics to sports in childhood but had rallied and been accepted into the Air Force Academy. She'd seen combat but then had failed again when she chose to pursue her degree rather than remain in a combat role.

She thought she'd finally done it when he learned the truth about her work at the SGC and Sam's job - her introducing him to the Tok'ra had saved his life and opened up the galaxy to his adventurous nature. But now he knew about this - about how she craved being held by her Commanding Officer - how she felt hollow without the Colonel's love - her father would never see her as strong and capable ever again. Worse, she'd become an embarrassment. Why did he have to find out?

"... it might work!" Janet's excited voice broke into Sam's spiraling thoughts.

"What might work, Doctor?" General Hammond asked, turning everyone's focus onto Janet.

"General Carter and I have a theory," Janet prefaced, "we've been comparing these stories to fairytales for adults, right? And how do fairytales always end?"

"A kiss," her father provided when nobody else spoke up.

"Exactly. So what if they kissed, like a peck on the lips under the mistletoe at a Christmas party? Just something to signal to Sam's subconscious that the mission is complete, and a bond has occurred."

…

"It won't work." Daniel hated to have to say it.

"Why not?" Jacob demanded.

"Because this isn't a fairytale -,"

"I'm not saying it is, Daniel," Janet defended.

"How can you be sure, Dr. Jackson? It seems like it would be worth trying at least," General Hammond asked.

"General, I've been doing a detailed translation of all the panels since Jack gave me the key. I was still struggling a little due to some words having multiple meanings and being unsure of the underlying cultural situation. But, with Heimdall's information, it makes a lot more sense," Daniel tried to gather his thoughts.

"Dr. Jackson?" Jacob prodded.

"The maze is clairvoyant. Sort of. It can discern the characters of the women who wait there and the men that come seeking a mate. It grants ... creates? ... a soul match only between those who will make a good, strong forever couple. However, Sam has been modified one kiss isn't going to reset her. A kiss won't bind them together permanently. If completing the bond is the only way to make Sam well, I don't think anything shy of a complete commitment will do."

"I must concur with Daniel in this matter," Thor said. "I knew many Ancients - but I never met one that was not oddly obsessed with coupling. Those of age were always in bonded pairs. Their lives so entwined together one could not think of one without also thinking of the other."

"So, what? They have to get married? And then Sam will be well?"

"Yes," Thor answered, not understanding Jacob's sarcasm.

"And the ceremony of commitment should best take place on Animus Vinculum," Heimdall added, "so the maze may complete the process begun in Carter's genetic code and thereby sanctify the bond."

Silence.

"I'll make arrangements for SG-1, with Dr. Fraiser and Jacob accompanying, to return to P-four-F six two seven. And call to update the president," General Hammond stood to do as he'd said but was halted by Janet's voice.

"Wait. You all can't make this decision for her, sir. Sam should have a say in her own future. The Colonel too, for that matter."

"If it's the only way for Sam to be healthy," Jacob said, "then there is no decision."

"We could try to use gene therapy to reverse the changes," Janet offered.

"I thought you said it only worked less than fifty percent of the time? How do we know it would work?" Daniel asked.

"We don't," Janet admitted, "But we could try."

"Did not you also say, DoctorFraiser, that MajorCarter's life maybe forfeit if her reduced anatomy climate remained unaltered?"

"Yes," Janet said, "there is a greater risk of death the longer she stays hypothermic."

"Then there is no time to wait and nothing further to discuss," Jacob declared. "They'll get married. Today."

"General Carter, it has to be Sam's choice," Janet insisted.

Jacob was about to argue when Jack spoke for the first time.

"Enough. Everybody out," Jack ordered. "You too, General, and you, Jacob. Everybody clear out."

"Jack," Jacob objected.

"No. The doc's right. It isn't anybody's call but Carter's. And, apparently, mine. Everybody step out. We can't have an honest conversation with a peanut gallery."

Jacob seemed to accept that, so they all shuffled out. Except Teal'C.

"How does an exhibition of legumes prevent you conversing with MajorCarter, O'Neill?"

"Daniel will explain. Outside."

"The cameras, O'Neill," Teal'C still didn't move.

"I got it." Jack walked around Teal'C, reached up and unplugged the camera. "Now, out."

Author's Note: A big conversation for Jack and Sam in the next chapter. And I want to try to explain before I get the guest reviews saying the Sam worrying about Jack's career and especially about what her father thinks of her is out of character. First off, Sam's not really herself right now, and second, she has Daddy issues. Period. Sorry but that's the way it is, the way it was on the show and way it is in this story. I apologize for the tangent. Thanks for reading! ~ Vi