DISCLAIMER: All publicly recognizable characters and places are the property of MGM, World Gekko Corp and Double Secret Productions. This piece of fan fiction was created for entertainment not monetary purposes and no infringement on copyrights or trademarks was intended. Previously unrecognized characters and places, and this story, are copyrighted to the author. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

Copyright 2000 by Noda
Noda@win.bright.net

*Kindred Souls*

Colonel Jack O'Neill stepped through the Stargate's event horizon on P6J-847 waiting for his eyes to focus. No matter how many times he traveled through a Stargate, he'd never get used to the bone-numbing cold and disorientation he felt as he stepped out onto a new world. Captain Samantha Carter, his second-in-command, had explained the physics involved with 'gate travel dozens of times, but he still didn't get it. All he knew was walking out into a new world with his senses less than one hundred percent caused a knot to form in his stomach that never fully dissipated until he was back on Earth. Most times they had telemetry from the MALP they sent through prior to a mission, but it wasn't a guarantee they wouldn't arrive to find hostile aliens or displaced Humans waiting as a welcoming party.

This time the probe had been dead-on. Trees. More God-damned trees.

"Well, what a surprise," Jack drawled as he stepped down from the Stargate, checking to make sure the rest of his team made it through intact.

"What's that, Jack?" Daniel Jackson asked, wiping a sheen of frost from his face.

"Trees. Ever wonder why they're called 'sycamores?' Because I'm sick of more trees!"

Sam laughed at her C.O.'s warped humor as she shook out her limbs.

"Don't encourage him, Sam! You'll only make it worse! And by the way, Jack, they're not even close to sycamores," Daniel informed him.

"Whatever."

Teal'c observed his Human companions. "O'Neill has attempted to tell a joke again?" the massive, dark man asked.

"Attempted is right," Daniel said, adjusting his helmet, giving Jack half a smile letting him know he wasn't really annoyed. "Do Jaffa tell jokes?" he asked Teal'c.

"We have a highly developed sense of humor," he answered absolutely deadpan, causing Sam to laugh again.

"Okay, campers, I hate to break up this little coffee-klatch, but we do have a mission to complete," Jack said, moving his pack higher up on his shoulders. "Anybody got any ideas on which way we should go?"

All four members of SG-1 scanned the area.

"How about left, sir," Sam suggested.

"Why left?" Jack asked.

"We went right last time?" she offered.

"Very scientific, Carter. I like that," he teased her. "Work for you guys?" he asked Daniel and Teal'c, even though technically the decision was his to make. Both men shrugged.

"Left it is. Lead on, Carter."

They'd traveled a little over a kilometer when Jack began grumbling. "You know, just once, I'd like to step out of that 'gate onto a tropical world. Some sea-side beach resort where they'd hand us a cool drink, tell us to kick back and relax, until their non-hostile leaders arrived."

Sam turned around and flashed the Colonel a smile. "What fun would that be, sir? You'd have nothing to complain about."

"Sure he would," Daniel piped up. "He'd complain that it was *too* perfect. That something wasn't right!"

Sam tried to hide her grin as she turned around once more. Jack made an effort to look angry but couldn't quite manage it. These people just knew him too well. And that was fine with him.

Jack smiled at that thought. He'd worked with a lot of different people, both military and civilians like Daniel and Teal'c, but he'd never connected with them in the way he had with SG-1. If anyone would have told him he'd come to think of these three as a surrogate family, he would have told them to quit sniffing glue. Jack O'Neill didn't get personally attached to his team members. But there was something about this group that challenged that notion. They had jelled as no other crew he'd worked with. Perhaps it was their diversity. Sam and Daniel had even gotten him to rethink his position on the usefulness of scientists. That in itself was damn near miraculous.

And who could have predicted he'd be working with an alien? Although basically Human, Jaffa were hosts to parasitic larval Goa'uld--the adult version being the menace SG-1 and the rest of Stargate Command, or SGC found themselves battling. Once mature, the Goa'uld would take over a new host--preferably Human. Jack often wondered what would happen the day Teal'c's Goa'uld decided to "leave home" as it were. Not only would Teal'c be without his larvae's beneficial healing properties, but every Human could be a potential host. What if it took over someone at SGC? Teal'c assured O'Neill and General Hammond, commander of the SGC, he would be able to sense the larva's maturity, but Jack knew of Goa'uld duplicity. He didn't trust "Junior" any further than he could throw him. And given the fact he wouldn't touch the damn thing, it wouldn't be too far.

Finding himself actually friends with Daniel Jackson was a bit of a shocker. He'd tolerated his presence on their initial trip to Abydos, and when the archeologist/linguist/anthropologist opted to remain on a foreign planet, O'Neill hadn't questioned his decision. He'd decoded the hieroglyphs that were Earth's address on the Stargate, and dialed them home, which was all Jack thought he needed the man for.

His second meeting with Daniel caused Jack to re-evaluate his opinion. He'd grown during his time on Abydos. Perhaps it was his marriage to the local leader's daughter Sha're, or maybe it was Jack's own epiphany upon returning to Earth that caused him to see Daniel in a new light. He still grew exasperated with Daniel's single-mindedness when faced with a new culture, but it had almost mellowed to an endearing quality as they became closer friends. Who'd a thunk.

Then there was Carter. She'd told him she'd grow on him once he got to know her, and she was right. He wasn't quite sure when it happened. Maybe it was her actually laughing at his lame jokes, or never complaining when things got a little rough. What he did know was he respected the hell out of her, regardless of the fact he understood only about half of what came out of her mouth. Theoretical astrophysics. Sheesh. He could barely pronounce it much less understand it.

Together, they comprised his team, SG-1, the brightest and the best Stargate Command had to offer. And the best part? Not a whiner in the bunch. Excluding himself of course. There were no "loose cannons," no authority-bucking mavericks, just four people who would lay down their lives for each other and their cause. Best damn bunch he'd ever served with.

"Looks like you're going to get your wish, Jack," Daniel said, bringing him out of his reverie.

Jack looked up to see a clearing in the ever-present evergreens that widened onto either an ocean or a vast sea. It wasn't a city, exactly, but it was bigger than a village. The architecture was a strange mix of classical Greek and sweeping arches that gleamed in the hot sun. People were walking to and fro, greeting each other with smiles, occasionally stopping to talk with those they met.

"I don't know that it qualifies as a resort," Daniel continued, "but it's certainly maritime-based," he said pointing out the fishing activities taking place on the shore.

"There doesn't seem to be any mechanized transportation," Sam reported. "Or sound of industry. The buildings look to be that of a more advanced society, but it's odd there's no conveyances of any sort."

Jack looked around. Sam was right. There were no wagons, carts or even a wheel-barrow. Nothing with wheels.

"Daniel, isn't it damn near impossible to sustain a culture that appears somewhat advanced without the use of the wheel?"

"Well, no. Actually, the Incas of Peru and Ecuador had a vast empire that spanned a great portion of South America without benefit of the wheel. In fact. . ."

"I get the picture, Danny," O'Neill cut him off. "So, what do you make of this bunch?"

"From what I can tell at this distance, I'd say Greek or some other Mediterranean off-shoot."

"Teal'c? This place ring any bells for you?" Jack asked.

"I do believe I do hear bells," he stated. The rest of the team listened for a moment.

Sam's face burst into a wide grin she tried to subdue.

"Those are wind chimes, Teal'c," she said, biting her lip. "I think what the Colonel meant was do you remember this world from when you were First Prime to Apophis."

Teal'c cocked his head, as if the changing the angle of his jaw would jog some memory.

"It does not 'ring a bell' as you say. Even though the inhabitants appear Human, I do not remember coming to this world in search of Goa'uld hosts."

O'Neill nodded. "Well, we're not going to find out anything standing here. Ready, kids?"

*********

Daniel's eyes scanned the village as they neared the community. For some reason it appeared larger from the hilltop. There were definite Greek influences, among their architecture, but there was something more as well. Something almost ethereal. Perhaps it was the metallic arches that were slightly reminiscent of the Stargates. Could these people be the race who'd originally built them before the Goa'uld began using them for their own purposes? But if these *were* the builders of the 'gates, why wasn't their civilization more advanced? Had the knowledge been lost over the years? Daniel knew he'd have to talk to the inhabitants to get the information he was looking for, and he anticipated meeting them.

"Daniel," Jack said, motioning him forward. A few people stopped to observe the newcomers, and the group was growing larger by the moment.

"Daniel!" Jack said a little more forcefully.

"Oh, right," he said, stepping forward with a smile, pushing his glasses up with his index finger. He'd been so busy checking out the populace, he forgot Jack expected him to try to communicate with them.

"Greetings," a short, dark-haired woman said. The word was familiar somehow. Not a language he recognized immediately, so he tried to get her to speak a few extra words. Daniel waved his hands towards himself as if asking for more. After a few moments, the woman seemed to understand, nodding as she said,

"We are the people of Arrissa. Where are you from?"

Daniel ran the words around his mind. Greek. Ancient Greek, but not exactly the way he knew it. It was as if it were an older dialect.

"It's some form of ancient Greek," he said, turning to look at Jack.

O'Neill looked out over the crowd. "Well, ya know, Daniel, it's all Greek to me."

Sam stifled a giggle as Daniel ran an exasperated hand over his face. "Jack, can't you be serious just once?"

Jack shrugged his shoulders, loosening his death grip on his rifle. "Please, Dr. Jackson. Continue."

Daniel moved to the forefront again. "My name is Daniel Jackson, and these are my friends," he said motioning to the three behind him. "We came to your world through the Stargate."

"Star-gate?" the woman questioned.

"Yes, the ring," Daniel said, pointing in the direction they had come from.

"Oh, the Portal. Yes. It is how we all come here."

"You're not from this world either?"

"I am here to wait as the others."

"Wait?" Daniel asked, looking around at the smiling faces of the crowd.

"Yes. For the next life," she said, looking confused. "You are not waiting to be reborn?"

"Reborn? I don't understand," Daniel said, looking back and forth between his team and the small woman before him.

"What's she saying?" Jack asked.

"Something about being reborn. They call the 'gate 'the Portal' and she said it brings everyone here."

"Maybe they don't mean it literally," Sam offered. "Perhaps coming through the 'gate is symbolic of rebirth."

"Well, that makes as much sense as anything," Daniel agreed. He felt a tugging on his sleeve as the woman tried to get his attention.

"Ishandar comes."

Daniel watched as an elderly woman sedately approached the newcomers. The respect and deference the inhabitants showed her obviously marked her as someone important.

"Who is she?" Jack whispered in Daniel's ear.

"I'm not sure, some sort of leader or priestess, I think. Or both."

"Ishandar," Daniel said to the younger woman, "is that her name or is it a title?"

"Yes," she answered.

Daniel raised his eyebrows in confusion as the matriarch approached.

"Greetings, newcomers," she said, placing a hand lightly on the top of Daniel's head. She repeated the action with Teal'c, Jack and Sam.

"You are not of us, but close to us," Ishandar said.

Daniel took in the woman's appearance. Long flowing white robes while the rest of the Arrissans wore less elaborate beige garments Her long gray hair was twisted and braided and arranged on top of her head, decorated with shells of some type. Ishandar's dark, bright, eyes held the look of wisdom and grace; a quality all the people seemed to share.

"That's right," Daniel said. "We are not of your people. We come from Earth."

Ishandar smiled. "We are all from Earth at one time or another."

Daniel's face screwed up in confusion, causing Jack to nudge him.

"So?"

"So, she's some type of leader, I would guess a religious one, judging from the reaction of the crowd."

Ishandar came to stand in front of O'Neill. "You are their leader." It was a statement, not a question. Jack looked to Daniel for clarification.

"She says you're our leader."

"I guess quality shows," Jack grinned.

"Ishandar, I'm Daniel Jackson this is Colonel Jack O'Neill, Captain Samantha Carter and Teal'c," he said, introducing the members of their team. She bowed slightly to them, inspiring the team to return the gesture.

"You are welcome among my people," Ishandar said, spreading her arms wide.

"Thank you, Ishandar. Would you mind if we asked you a few questions?"

"You may ask, but please, the sun is hot. Let us go to my dwelling." Ishandar started to lead the way, Daniel in her wake.

"Hold on a second, cowboy," Jack said, grabbing Daniel by his jacket. "Where do you thing you're going?"

"With Ishandar. She said she'd answer some questions."

"Not alone, you're not. Carter, go with him. Teal'c and I will have a look around the village. That is if it's all right with Ishtar here."

"Ishandar," Daniel corrected. She said we are welcome. I would assume that means all of us."

"Okay," Jack said looking at his watch. "Meet back here in one hour? We'll decide where to go from there."

Sam nodded at O'Neill as she passed him, but Jack stopped her before she could follow Daniel.

"Make sure it's just an hour, Carter. You know how he gets."

Sam smiled at Jack. "Yes, sir."

*********

Ishandar's marble house was smaller than Sam expected for someone of her rank, but it was cool and inviting. Daniel was already busy asking the elder questions, of which Sam caught only a word or two. She'd picked up a smattering of some ancient languages from Daniel as a result of their 'gate travel, but she was far from communicating with cultures they encountered.

Sam couldn't help smiling as she watched Daniel with Ishandar. He was so involved in her explanations, Sam was sure he'd completely forgotten she was even there. Jack had probably been right to send her along as a baby-sitter.

Ishandar indicated they should sit, while she busied herself getting refreshments for the travelers.

"She said they don't get many visitors. Those that come are waiting for the *Kipaka,* or rebirth." Daniel said as they seated themselves on cushioned mats that surrounded a low table.

"Rebirth? I'm assuming this is in figurative sense?" Sam asked.

"I would imagine. They seem like a very spiritual people from the comments Ishandar's made."

Ishandar set cool drinks before her guests, then seated herself. She took a calming breath, then nodded to Daniel.

Sam tried to keep her mind on the conversation flowing before her, but without understanding the language, she found her attention wandering. Looking about the candle-lit room, Sam noticed sticks of incense, unlit candles, crystals and more wind chimes. She couldn't help the lyrics to "New Age Girl" from slipping into her mind. *God. I've been around Jack too long,* she thought, trying to suppress a smile. She couldn't seem to exorcise the words from her thoughts. The harder she tried, the louder they became in her mind:

*I got a new age girl,
(tell me what she's like)
An environmentalist girl
(does she ride a bike?)*

That sparked a memory in Sam. "Daniel," she cried excitedly. "Did you ask her why there's no evidence of transportation here?"

Daniel gave her an annoyed look for interrupting them. "In a minute, Sam," he answered, turning his attention to Ishandar once more.

Now she was getting impatient. Looking at her watch, Sam noticed they were close to their one hour deadline.

"Daniel, we have to wrap it up. The colonel will be waiting for us."

"Okay, yeah, I know. But you have to hear this! Ishandar claims her people were the original inhabitants of Atlantis!"

"But that's all just a myth. There's no concrete evidence Atlantis even existed," Sam said.

"From what I can gather, the Goa'uld tried to take over their civilization, take their technology, but the Atlantians refused. It wasn't a natural disaster that wiped them out. It was the Goa'uld!"

"But don't the myths speak of floods? Of Atlantis sinking?"

"Ishandar tells me it was from a chain-reaction when one of the Death Gliders hit a power generator," Daniel informed her. "I don't understand how it happened, but it makes some sense. She says the Goa'uld went to Egypt after they'd been to Atlantis. After they stole the Stargate technology."

"So these *are* the builders of the 'gates?" Sam asked in wonder. God, she had so many questions! The physics behind them, how they were able to build such a vast network, how many worlds they were on. The list was practically endless!

"There's more," Daniel said. "She tells me she knows all of this because she was there."

"What? Daniel, that's impossible! Do you think the Goa'uld stole the tech behind the sarcophagus from them as well?"

"Uh, no. It's a little more 'out there' than that."

"What do you mean?" Sam questioned.

"What do you know about reincarnation?" Daniel asked, looking back at Ishandar. Sam noticed the woman watching, waiting for her reaction.

"Not much, I know many cultures believe in it without a doubt. Why?"

"Ishandar claims to be the incarnation of a man who lived when the Goa'uld attacked Atlantis," Daniel said.

Sam's expression was incredulous. "Is that possible?"

"Well, I can't really discount anything at this point. We've seen some pretty fantastic things since we started using the Stargates."

"That's for sure," Sam mumbled under her breath.

"So, if what she says is true, how does she know what happened? I mean how does she remember it?" Sam was staring at Ishandar who simply smiled as Daniel continued with his explanation.

"She claims they have a type of genetic memory, that can be 'reactivated' during what they call 'the Awakening.' It's a ceremony that's sort of a coming of age ritual. Once an Arrissan has reached a certain age, they feel compelled to come here to have the ceremony performed. Then, they either return to the planet they were born on via the Stargate, or live out the rest of their existence here, waiting to be reborn into the next life."

"So, this planet is like a 'waiting room?'" Sam asked.

"For lack of a better term, yeah."

Sam thought about how quiet the village had been. How little was going on. It was evident from the lack of activity these people weren't looking to advance their culture, they were just existing. Waiting for the next incarnation.

"And this 'Awakening' allows them to remember their former lives? On different planets? But what good is that if they aren't really living this one?"

"This is but a wayside. If the current life is not fulfilling, we remain here. It is a place to catch our breath before we continue on to the next life. Your perception of time does not apply here."

Sam's mouth dropped open as Ishandar spoke in perfect English to her. "You speak English? But why didn't you say so in the first place?"

"I remember many languages. From all my lives. As to why I didn't speak earlier, I allowed you to experience what you thought you'd find."

"But we didn't know what to expect," Daniel said, looking over at Sam.

"You had some pre-conceived ideas once you saw our village. I simply allowed you to continue with those thoughts so I could read your pasts. I must say, you've both led some rather interesting lives."

Sam and Daniel exchanged glances once more.

"Not always together, of course, but you and your companions are an extraordinarily close group. You usually choose to come back together."

"Choose to come back?" Sam asked.

"It's a conscious choice," Ishandar said matter-of-factly. "You and the one who calls himself 'Daniel' have been friends and even family before."

Sam found herself looking at Daniel once more. She knew her face must be showing the skepticism she felt when he shrugged his shoulders.

"You do not believe me," Ishandar said without a trace of bitterness. "That does not make it any less true."

"I'm sorry, Ishandar, but as a scientist, I find the concept a bit hard to accept. I don't mean any disrespect."

"And none is taken," she smiled at Sam once more, taking her hand. "As I said, I see your past even if you do not. You have chosen these friends, again and again. Even the one you call 'Teal'c.' He chose to be a Jaffa this time to help you in your struggle against the Goa'uld."

Sam rubbed her forehead, trying not to appear rude since she didn't believe what the woman was telling her. She wasn't sure she believed in past lives, let alone that she chose to be in this place, in this time with these people.

Sam jumped at the sharp cry of, "Carter!"

"Sir?" she said, looking up at her commanding officer's irritated face.

"Carter, what time is it?"

"It's. . ." Sam looked down at her watch, noticing it was a half hour beyond their rendezvous time.

"I sent you along to keep Jackson on time. What happened?"

"Colonel, sir, I'm sorry. Ishandar was explaining about her people and. . ."

"Save it, Carter. We can talk about it later."

"And this one," Ishandar said, looking first at Jack and then to Sam, "He has been your companion in almost every existence."

"'Companion?' What's she talking about? Hey! She's speaking English!" Jack cried.

"Yes, sir. It seems she's lived a life where she spoke it," Sam said.

"Want to run that by me again?"

Daniel jumped in and gave Jack a quick synopsis of Ishandar's statements. Jack nodded his head as he listened to Daniel's explanation, but Sam could tell he wasn't buying it, any more than she had.

"And what does she mean by 'companions?'" Jack asked.

"I mean, that you and Samantha have almost always chosen to come back together," Ishandar smiled at him.

Jack tugged nervously on his nose.

"Apparently, we've all been together before," Daniel said.

Sam was still blushing from the implied meaning of "companion," when Jack cleared his throat.

"Look, I hate to break up this little party, but it's getting late and we should be getting back," Jack said, giving Sam and Daniel a hand to stand. Just then a cheer rose up outside Ishandar's door and the ground shook with an explosion.

"Death Gliders!" Teal'c warned. Instantly the team's hands were on their weapons as they ran outside, seeking refuge from the aircraft firing on the village.

"Ishandar!" Daniel cried, racing to pull the woman out of the middle of the street where she stood, arms outstretched as if making herself a more accessible target.

"Get down!" he called, trying to push her to the ground. But she shoved him away, standing once more.

"They are the bringers of the next life!" she called, her face glowing with happiness.

Daniel tried to pull her down once more, but she struggled out of his grasp.

"Let me be! I wish to go!"

"Daniel! Look out!" Sam cried as a bolt of energy impacted the ground mere inches from him. Daniel instinctively covered his head as the next blast came. This time he wasn't so lucky. The bolt struck him squarely in the left shoulder, sending him flying.

"Daniel!" Sam screamed as she ran from her hiding place to retrieve him.

"Carter! Are you nuts? Get back here!" Jack called. Together with Teal'c, he fired at the ships, trying to give Sam some cover as she hauled Daniel back to where she and Jack were holed up.

Daniel was barely conscious as Sam pulled bloody, scorched cloth away from his wound.

"It's bad, sir. We've got to get him to the 'gate."

"I'd like to oblige you, Captain, but we seem to be pinned down at the moment!" Jack yelled over the noise, firing another round into the air as the Goa'uld ships made one more pass.

Sam watched as the Arrissans were slaughtered, offering themselves in happy supplication.

"Sir! We have to help them! They're committing suicide!"

Jack adjusted his position to continue firing. "Look, Carter, since they're making themselves prime targets, they obviously don't want help. If they want to go up like a bunch of phoenixes to be reborn in the next life, I say we let 'em. We're getting outta here before someone else gets hurt or killed!" Jack looked around for Teal'c.

"Teal'c! Fall back! Head for the Stargate!"

"But, sir!" Sam protested.

"That's an order, Captain. Now on your feet!"

Between the two of them they supported Daniel's limp weight. "When the next break in the firing comes, we make a run for it."

"Yes, sir," Sam said, taking one last look at the smoking village, and Ishandar still standing outside her house, waiting for deliverance.

Half dragging, half carrying Daniel, the team made their way towards the Stargate. Funny how it didn't seem this far when they arrived, Sam thought. Fortunately, the Goa'uld seemed to have been occupied at the other end of the village, affording them a little more time to escape.

Daniel was still unconscious when their luck ran out and the Death Gliders zeroed in on four people fleeing towards the 'gate.

"Teal'c!" Jack cried over the rumble of detentions shaking the ground. "Go on ahead! Dial us outta here!"

Teal'c nodded to Jack as he fired his staff weapon at a ship that had Sam, Jack and Daniel in it's sights. The ship dropped from the sky, crashing into a stand of pines where it promptly exploded.

Sam felt something impact her temple, causing her head to snap back.

"Carter? You okay?" Jack asked as he adjusted his grip on Daniel. Sam wiped a free hand over the space before her ear, coming away with blood on her fingers. It wasn't much blood. *Must just be a scratch,* she reasoned.

"Fine, sir. Just winged."

Jack looked up. "Here they come again! Teal'c! Where the hell's that wormhole?!" Seconds later the familiar whoosh of the Stargate's activation could be seen as well as heard. Sam gave a sigh of relief. They were going to make it. They were going to get Daniel back to SGC. Back where Janet could perform another of her miracles.

*********

"Incoming travelers," a dark-haired female technician informed General Hammond. "They're sending SG-1's signal, sir."

General George Hammond looked at his watch. "A little early, aren't they?"

"Yes, sir. Approximately two hours." the technician confirmed.

"Open the iris," he ordered. "SG-1's usually over-due rather than early," the general commented to no one in particular. As a added precaution, he called for medical teams to be dispatched to the gate room. He had a bad feeling about this. General Hammond watched as Dr. Janet Fraiser rushed into the embarkation room with four gurneys. Hopefully they wouldn't need any of them.

*********

Jack stumbled out onto the metal ramp, still clutching Daniel's jacket on the right, while Sam supported him on the left. Daniel moaned but didn't waken.

"What happened?" Janet asked, helping Jack and a medic lift Daniel's slack body onto a gurney. Immediately she began checking his vital signs.

"He got hit with a bolt from a Death Glider," Jack said, trying to catch his breath. "Amazing he didn't die."

"I'll say," Janet confirmed. "How about the rest of you? Any injuries?"

"Just Carter," Jack said. "She got winged by a piece of an exploding ship."

"Sam, you all right?" the doctor asked.

"It's nothing. Take care of Daniel."

Janet began wheeling the gurney out of the room as she called back to the remainder of the team,

"I want to see you all before the debriefing. Got that?"

Jack gave a sigh of relief, turning to Sam and Teal'c. "At least we made it out of there. Hey, Carter? What's with the look? We got Danny back! He'll be fine!" Jack started to place his arm around Sam's shoulders as a gesture of comfort when she collapsed to the metal ramp.

"Sam? Oh my, God! Get one of the medics back in here!" Jack cried as he tried to catch her. Blood began trickling out of the small laceration on her temple, but it was the only thing Jack could see wrong with her. What had caused her to fall like that? Surely not this minor cut?

A medic rushed in with another gurney as Jack and Teal'c gently placed the inert captain on the white padding.

"Christ! What else can go wrong with this mission!" Jack raged, rubbing his hands over his face.

Teal'c looked over at the Colonel. "I know you are concerned about Danieljackson and Captaincarter, but anger will not help them."

Jack gazed at the imposing man, knowing he was right, but he couldn't help but feel responsible. They were members of his team. He was responsible whether their injuries were accidental or not.

Just then General Hammond burst into the embarkation room.

"What happened out there, Colonel?"

"Well, we made contact with another ancient Earth culture and things were going great until the Goa'uld showed up. Daniel got hit trying to save one of the natives."

"And Captain Carter?"

"I'm not sure, sir. She said she'd gotten nicked by a piece of flying metal. One minute she was fine and the next she's laid out on the ramp. General, with your permission I'd like to go to the infirmary. I need to see how they're doing."

"By all means. And you and Teal'c make sure you're checked out as well. If Captain Carter's suffering from something she brought back, I want to make sure you two have a clean bill of health. We'll debrief when Dr. Fraiser is through with you."

Jack nodded before nearly sprinting from the gate room.

*********

Jack stood in Janet's office watching her work on Daniel. He wished he could be closer, to see what was going on, but it was as near as she would allow him to come to her patient. Occasionally she would look up, asking questions of the doctor working on Sam. Jack didn't recognize him, but assumed he was competent. Janet wouldn't allow just anyone to look after one of her best friends.

Damn it, what was taking so long? What was wrong with Sam that she was still unconscious? Jack couldn't see very well through the slats of the blinds, but it looked like Sam's doctor extracted something from her wound. He couldn't even see it at this distance, but assumed it was a fragment from the exploded ship.

He looked up as Teal'c joined him in the infirmary's office.

"Is there any word?" he asked.

"Nothing yet," Jack said, returning his gaze to his two friends. "It looks like the other doc pulled something out of Carter, but she's still out of it. Daniel's been sedated, so I doubt he'll wake up anytime soon. Looks like Janet's bandaging him up. We should hear something soon."

Jack didn't know if he'd kept up the running commentary to inform Teal'c or to reassure himself. Lately, he felt like his team spent more time in the infirmary than their own homes or base quarters.

"General Hammond is most anxious to speak with us," Teal'c informed him.

Jack snorted. "I'll bet. If he just wants to waive our physicals, I'd be happy to see him now."

"The general would not wish to meet with us under those circumstances," Teal'c stated.

"Yeah, I know. Can't blame a guy for trying, though, right?"

Teal'c just angled his head at Jack as a form of acknowledgment. Jack stood up straighter as he noticed Janet heading towards Sam's bed, questioning her attending physician. He didn't like the look on her face nor the fact she was shaking her head. What the hell was going on in there?

Jack couldn't take it any more, rushing past Teal'c, he ran into the infirmary.

"What's wrong with her?" he demanded.

"I'm trying to find out, now leave, Colonel!"

Janet ignored Jack as she tried to hold Sam on the bed. Two orderlies brushed passed him, grabbing Sam's arms and legs as soon as they reached her bed.

"Hey! Take it easy!" He shouted at them but they weren't paying attention to him.

Janet looked up, angry he was still in the room. "Colonel, you have to leave, or I'll have you removed! I promise I'll tell you the minute I know anything!"

Jack remained rooted to the spot until he felt Teal'c's hand on his shoulder.

"O'Neill. We can do nothing. Allow the doctors to do their work."

Slowly, Jack relaxed and allowed his friend to remove him to Janet's office. During the excitement he didn't notice Daniel was missing.

"Where's Daniel?"

"They have moved him to the recovery area," Teal'c informed him. Jack sat on the edge of Janet's desk, rubbing his face with his hands. He had to get a grip, he told himself. Sam and Daniel were in good hands. There was nothing more he could do right now.

*********

Once given a clean bill of health, Jack grabbed a quick shower and donned a clean pair of fatigues before meeting with the general. Sitting in the briefing room, he tapped his fingers nervously, wishing the meeting was over so he could get back to the infirmary.

"Okay, Colonel. What happened?" General Hammond asked, opening the meeting.

"Sir, up until the time the Goa'uld started using the Arrissan's for target practice, everything was fine. Nice people, nice town, nice weather."

General Hammond gave him a trying look, causing Jack to recount their mission from the time they'd stepped though the Stargate.

"And what about this leader or headwoman you spoke of?"

"Well, sir, I'm afraid we're going to have to wait for either Captain Carter or Daniel on that one. They're the ones who spoke with her at length."

"That doesn't seem like it'll be a possibility in the near future," Janet spoke.

The general turned to Dr. Fraiser. "What is the condition of Dr. Jackson and Captain Carter?"

"Daniel's suffering from tissue damage and burns from the energy weapon that fired on him. I'm fairly certain in time, he'll recover the use of his arm, although he may need plastic surgery for his burns."

Jack winced. A long, painful recovery, if indeed he did fully recover.

"And Captain Carter?" the general prompted.

"I'm not sure, sir."

"Not sure?" Jack cried. "What the hell do you mean? She was *fine* when she came through the 'gate!"

"That's why I'm not sure what to make of all this. True, her wound is superficial but it seems to be the location, in conjunction with the metal fragment that seems to be causing the problem."

"Wait a second. I'm confused here. What exactly is wrong with her?" Jack asked.

Janet hesitated for a moment, looking at the general, Teal'c and himself. "She's in a coma."

"A coma? From a nick to the head?" Jack exclaimed.

"As I said, it was the location and the metal fragment," she said, pulling a plastic bag out of the pocket of her lab coat, placing it on the table. General Hammond picked up the bag, examining it's contents before handing it to Jack. It wasn't much bigger than a pea, slightly spherical, but with jagged edges. He could see how this could do some damage, depending on the velocity of the object when it struck Carter, but put her in a coma? He told the doctor as much.

"I agree, but Sam was having a reaction to the metal as well. I think it might have something to do with the residual naquada in her system. It could be why she went into convulsions earlier."

"Like she was allergic, or something?" Jack asked.

"Yes, similar to that."

Jack stood, pacing the briefing room. "So what are the chances of this happening, like a million to one? A billion to one? How can she be in a coma from a BB?"

"Colonel, I know this seems pretty unbelievable, but it's the only explanation I have. I looked for everything."

Jack sighed, giving her a weak smile. "I know you did, Doc. It's just so hard to comprehend. I mean this mission was such a cake-walk and now I've got two members of my team lying in the infirmary for God knows how long."

"When do you expect Captain Carter to regain consciousness?" the general asked.

"I'm not sure, sir," Janet answered. "Quite frankly she should be awake now, so I can't make any estimates on when she'll actually wake up."

"Well, people, until we can get some more information from either Dr. Jackson or Captain Carter, P6J-847 is off-limits. Colonel, in light of the fact you haven't got much of a team, SG-1 is on downtime until further notice. It'll give you some time to catch up on all those reports you owe me. Dismissed."

Jack started to head for the door when General Hammond stopped him.

"Son, I know how you feel, but you couldn't help what happened out there today. There's no sense beating yourself up about it."

"Yes, sir," Jack answered automatically, knowing until Sam and Daniel were back on their feet he couldn't begin to forgive himself. If he ever did.

The general clapped him on the shoulder, giving him a reassuring smile which Jack tried to return, but didn't quite achieve.

"Get some rest, son,"

"Yes, sir." Jack replied again, knowing full well he intended to ignore his commander's advice.

*********

Jack stood over Daniel's bed watching the diodes on his monitors flash. They beeped steadily, reassuring him, that in time, Daniel would be okay. Jack felt a presence behind him and looked up slightly into Teal'c's concerned face.

"He's gonna be all right," Jack said, as if he were trying to relieve his own conscience instead of his Jaffa friend.

"Dr. Fraiser feels he will not wake until morning. Perhaps it would be wise for us to rest as well."

"You go ahead," Jack said. "I want to check on Carter."

"I understand. I will accompany you."

Jack gave Teal'c a quick half-smile. He didn't want to admit he'd be grateful for the company.

Sam was on the other side of the infirmary, surrounded by more equipment than Daniel. It was the first time he'd seen her since she'd collapsed on the 'gate ramp. He couldn't believe this was the same woman he worked with nearly every day. She was so pale, she could have been dead. There was an oxygen mask strapped over her mouth and nose, and an IV slowly dripping fluids into her left hand.

"She does not look well," Teal'c said, stating the obvious. Jack was so shocked at Sam's appearance, he didn't even have a smart come-back for him.

Janet walked up, placing a hand on Jack's arm, giving him a concerned smile. "I know she looks pretty bad, but if she comes out of this soon, I'm sure she'll be fine."

"And what if she doesn't?" Jack asked. "Isn't there a chance of brain damage or something?"

"Yesss," Janet said, obviously trying to choose her words carefully. "But let's not worry about that right now, shall we? Maybe you could try talking to her," she suggested. "It's helped in some cases."

Jack looked at Teal'c, feeling rather foolish talking to Sam like this in front of everyone. Janet seemed to sense his hesitation, saying,

"Come on, Teal'c. I think the colonel could use a little privacy."

Teal'c inclined his head towards Jack, following Janet out of the infirmary. The trouble was, even alone he felt silly talking to Sam's inert body.

"Uh, hey, Carter," he started, taking his index finger trailing it down her arm. Her skin felt so cold, if he hadn't seen the monitors registering her breathing, he wouldn't have believed she was.

Picking up her hand, Jack tried to warm it between his own. "Come on, Sam. You have to wake up or you might lose some of that techno-babble you love to torment me with," he joked. It was so eerie the way she lay there, not acknowledging his words.

"If you don't wake up, who's going to laugh at my stupid jokes? I mean, Danny tolerates them, but Teal'c doesn't have a clue. You're the only one who can truly appreciate how sick I really am!"

Jack ran a hand over her forehead, brushing her tousled hair back from her face. "Well, since I have a captive audience, did I ever tell you about every single one of my exploits in the Gulf?" He looked for a chair. This was going to take awhile.

*********

Janet looked out her office window. Jack was still sitting next to Sam's bed. Or more precisely, sitting next to Sam's bed with his head resting on his hands that were clasped around hers. She could tell he'd dozed off. What was it about that man that he refused to heed anyone's advice when it came to his own well-being? Maybe he hadn't been injured, but he was exhausted from the mission just the same. He needed rest, and if she had to call the MPs in to drag him back to his quarters, she would.

The sound of her heels on the floor didn't wake him as Janet approached.

"Colonel," she said, waiting a moment before addressing him again, gently shaking his shoulder.

Jack looked up, eyes bleary as he tried to focus on where he was. As if he realized he'd been slumped over Sam, he quickly released her hand, giving Janet a sheepish grin.

"Colonel, I thought I told you hours ago to go and get some sleep."

"You also told me to talk to Sam," he pointed out. "I was only half-way through my first tour of duty."

Janet laughed. "You're supposed to be trying to wake her up, not put her into a deeper coma! Seriously, you need to get some rest. I'll make it an order if I have to."

Jack looked down at Sam and gave her hand a squeeze. "Okay, Doc. You win. How's Daniel?"

"Still under the effects of sedation, which I expected. Now. You. Gone. And I don't want to see you in here before six a.m., is that clear?"

"Yes, Ma'am," Jack replied, snapping off a smart salute, giving Sam one last look before he exited the infirmary.

Stifling a yawn, Janet watched him go. Perhaps she should take her own advice and get some rest. There was nothing more she could do tonight. Thinking back to the parting look Jack gave Sam, she had to smile.

"Just one of the guys, my ass," she mumbled to herself, turning off excess lights as she left the room.

*********

It was six a.m. on the dot when Jack re-entered the infirmary. Janet was about to lecture him when he pointed to the clock, cocky grin on his face.

"Guess I should have made that seven a.m.," she said.

"How're they doing?"

"I expect Daniel to wake anytime. I guess I could say the same for Sam as well." As if their conversation was a cue, Daniel let out a sigh that quickly turned into a moan.

"Where am I?" he croaked out of his dry throat.

"You're in the infirmary," Janet informed him, flashing a light in his eyes checking the reaction of his pupils. "Do you know who I am?" she asked.

"Yeah, Janet. Could I have some water?"

Janet looked up at Jack, "Looks good, so far." She helped him sit up a little straighter, letting him sip some water from the cup she held.

"Not too much. Just wet your throat."

"Thanks," Daniel said. "That's much better." He blinked several times, then his eyes settled on Jack.

"Jack! We made it!"

"Yeah, no thanks to you," he teased.

Daniel pushed his lank hair off his forehead. "What happened?"

"You got hit from one of the energy blasts from a Death Glider. Pretty amazing you lived though it."

"I'm tougher than I look," Daniel said, trying to smile. "Teal'c? Sam?"

"Teal'c's fine, in fact I expect him to be here any minute."

"What about Sam?" Daniel asked, looking between the doctor and Jack.

"You can probably explain it better," Jack said, turning his back as Janet explained Sam's status to Daniel. It wouldn't do for Daniel to see how emotional he was over Sam's condition. He knew there was no reason for him to feel guilty over what happened to her--it was an accident--but he couldn't help feeling responsible, just as he did about Daniel.

"I vaguely remember you guys carrying me," Daniel said, "but I don't remember Sam getting hit. God! I can't believe she's in a coma!"

Jack turned around. "You and me both, buddy." Just then Teal'c walked in.

"Danieljackson. It is good to see you are awake again."

"Teal'c! It's good to see you too! You didn't get hurt?"

"I am unharmed. O'Neill and I suffered no injuries."

*Thanks, Teal'c* Jack thought. *Nice way to rub it in that I get off without a scratch while Sam's in a coma and Daniel might lose the use of his arm.*

Changing the subject, Jack told Daniel, "General Hammond has a lot of questions for you about Ishandar and her people. I told him he'd have to ask either you or Carter, so when you're up to it. . ."

"Which won't be for awhile," Janet interjected.

". . .the general wants to talk to you."

"I understand. Jack, you wouldn't believe what she told us! Sam and I think these may be the people who built the 'gates!"

"Easy, tiger! I know you're dying to talk about this, but I think you need a little more recuperation time before you go off on one of your little tangents."

"Exactly," Janet said. Now, perhaps you'll respect that advice and let him get some rest?"

"I would like to stay if that is possible," Teal'c said.

Janet sighed. "Okay, you've got five minutes, but that's all for now!"

Jack patted Teal'c's arm. "I'll go see how Carter's doing."

He approached her bed slowly, wondering what to say. What difference did it make what he said? Chances are she wouldn't hear it anyway. It was weird, but once he'd broken the ice and gotten used to her not responding, there was something almost soothing about talking to her.

"Morning, Sam. Miss me? I wouldn't have gone, you know, if Janet hadn't made me." He paused for a moment, then continued. "I don't like the thought of you being here alone. Well, I know Janet and Daniel are here, but you know what I mean, don't you?"

He pulled up his chair again, picking up her hand. It was still limp and cold, almost making him cringe.

"What's it like in there?" he asked, tapping her forehead lightly. Are you dreaming? Is it scary? Well, if it is, then wake up and let us chase the monsters away, because you're sure giving me some nightmares."

What little sleep he'd gotten had been riddled with bad dreams. Over and over he saw her getting hit, then the scene in the 'gate room where she'd passed out. And in between his dreams of her, there were visions of Daniel getting shot, and Sam rushing out to save him, heedless of her own safety.

"You can be pretty stupid sometimes, Carter." It didn't seem to matter he'd spoken words in response to what he'd been thinking. Sam wasn't there to get confused, anyway.

*********

A week went by, then two with no change in Sam's condition. Jack could tell Janet was getting worried by the constant frown on the doctor's face. She tried to remain up-beat, mostly for Sam's concerned friends, but Jack wasn't fooled by her words of comfort. Sam was losing this race.

Daniel was up, moving around, although he tired easily. Janet still hadn't cleared him for a briefing with Hammond and everyone was getting edgy. The general wanted answers, Daniel wanted to give them, and the whole question of Sam's recovery weighed heavily on all off them.

Jack hadn't been home since before the mission to P6J-847, and spent more time in the infirmary than out of it. For a man who couldn't stand to be in the place when there was a medical reason, he didn't seem to have any qualms about it now.

They all took turns talking to Sam, but Jack was by her side the most, refusing to believe she wouldn't come out of this. He picked up her hand, holding it so tightly she probably would have yelled had she been conscious.

"Come on, Sam. Ya gotta wake up," he pleaded. "What about that arm wrestle you promised me? I think you're chicken. You've had plenty of opportunities to take me up on it, but you always find some excuse to back out of it. So come on. Let's see what you got. Wake up and put me in my place."

As he expected, there was no response. Not even a finger twitched. She was his friend, his second-in-command, and he needed her. What would happen if Hammond replaced her on SG-1? The whole dynamic of the team would change. He couldn't believe there was a time he'd actually argued against her being a member of his team. Daniel either. The thought of breaking in a new 2IC made him groan. He'd just gotten used to knowing what to expect of Sam in a combat situation, and now he might have to go through that all again with some new guy? That in itself was enough to beg whatever supreme being to bring her back.

*********

Sam felt like she was floating, like she was hovering mere inches over the ground, weightless. It was a pleasant feeling. She stood on the edge of a vast sea, but the water, or liquid it was comprised of, looked thicker than water. The way the gentle waves moved reminded her of oil. But when she stuck her feet into the fluid on the shore, it felt like water. And it was warm. And she was so cold. It would only take a few steps for her to be completely immersed in the ocean's welcoming warmth. Somewhere in the distance she heard the sound of tinkling bells. Wind chimes, her mind told her, and for a second she had a fleeting thought of having discussed wind chimes with someone, but she couldn't remember who it was, or what they looked like. Another step forward and the liquid was up to her knees. It felt right that she enter the dark, warm space.

"Sam. . . ." she heard off in the distance. "Don't go."

She couldn't see anyone on the shore, had no idea where the voice was coming from, but it was familiar somehow. She trusted that voice. She didn't know how or why, only that it caused her to stop her entrance into the sea. To question her action.

"Please come back. . . ."

"Who are you?" she called. There was no answer. "Where are you?" she tried. Still no response. She was curious, now. Even though it meant leaving the comforting warmth surrounding her, she felt compelled to seek out the owner of the voice. Suddenly a name flashed through her mind. A face. Care-worn, worried, tired. She knew that face, and somehow knew she was the cause of his distress. The name flashed though her mind again.

Jack. . . .

*********

"Jack. . . ."

It wasn't much more than a whisper, but he'd heard it plain as day. His name. She said his name!

"Janet!" he cried, "I think she's coming around!" Jack had never seen the doctor move so fast as she dashed into the infirmary. Pushing him out of the way, Janet began to check Sam's vital signs.

"You have to leave, Jack. I need some room to work on her!"

He knew if he didn't obey her, she'd have him removed, so he backed off, letting Janet and the other doctor do their work. If he were quiet, maybe they'd forget he was in the room. There was no way he was leaving her now!

Medical terminology flew around him so fast, Jack couldn't comprehend what they were doing to her. Someone must have informed Daniel and Teal'c Sam was waking up because they hurried through the door, heading for Jack. Teal'c was supporting Daniel by the time they reached him.

"What's happening?" Daniel asked, breathless.

"I think she's coming out of it. She said my name." Tense minutes passed as the three men waited for some acknowledgment from Dr. Fraiser. Suddenly there was a new beeping sound. It was steady, and Jack gave a sigh of relief.

"She's breathing without the oxygen," Janet confirmed, exhaling a breath herself.

"She's going to be all right?" Daniel asked, pressing closer.

"What are you doing here? I thought I told you to leave!" she said, staring at Jack "You shouldn't be roaming the corridors," she said, moving her gaze to Daniel. "And you shouldn't be letting him," she said to Teal'c.

"Look, Doc. We'll stay out of your way. Just don't ask us to go."

Janet shook her head in exasperation, "All right, Jack, but the minute you're in my way. . ."

"We're outta here. Got it."

*********

Janet turned her attention back to Sam, checking her reflexes, asking questions.

"Sam, do you know where you are?"

Sam's gaze roamed around the room before she answered, "no. I don't. Where am I?"

"It's okay, Sam. You're in the infirmary. Do you know who I am?"

Sam licked her parched lips. "I should but I can't quite. . . ."

"It's Janet," she said. "Dr. Fraiser."

"Fraiser. . . ." Sam said, testing the name.

"Yes, do you remember?"

"No. . . ."

Janet looked up at the doctor beside her, then back down at Sam. "What's the last thing you do remember?"

"Could I have some water, please?" Janet gave her a sip before asking her question again.

"Sam, I need to know, what's the last thing you remember?"

"I. . .I don't know. It's all kind of fuzzy."

"That's understandable. You've been unconscious for nearly two weeks."

"Two weeks. . . ." Sam said, as if the length of time didn't really impress her.

"Do you know your name?"

"You called me 'Sam,'" she said looking down at herself she added. "I don't look like a 'Sam.'"

Janet smiled. "It's short for Samantha. At least you haven't lost your sense of humor." Sam gave her a weak smile, obviously having missed the joke.

"Do you know your last name?"

Sam concentrated for a moment before she answered, "I don't think so."

Janet was beginning to become concerned. While disorientation wasn't unusual, after this amount of time in a coma, something's should have been coming back to her. She looked over at the worried faces of Sam's comrades. Maybe she'd remember them since she worked so closely with them.

"Would you all come closer?" Janet said. "I want to see if she remembers any of you."

"Is something wrong, Doc?" Jack asked, the first to Sam's side.

"I'm not sure. I just wanted to see if she remembers you."

Jack stepped forward, automatically picking up Sam's hand. "Hey, Sam. How're you feeling?"

"I'm a little confused," she said, looking into his eyes.

"Doc says that's to be expected."

Janet watched as Sam continued to stare at Jack as if she couldn't put her finger on where she knew him from.

"Do I know you?" she asked hesitantly.

"Quit kidding around, Carter! You just called me 'Jack!'"

"Jack?"

"Yeah, and here's Danny and Teal'c," he said, pulling the others forward.

"Hi, Sam," Daniel said, giving her a warm smile. "Glad to see you among the land of the living again."

"Captaincarter," Teal'c said, bowing his head. "It is good to have you back."

Sam looked at the men before her, but her face remained blank.

"You don't remember us?" Daniel asked, looking over at Janet.

Instead of answering his question, Sam stated, "You're hurt."

"Yeah," Daniel grinned. "A little souvenir from P6J-847."

"P6. . . ."

"J-847," Daniel finished. You don't remember that, either?"

"I. . . ."

"Okay, guys, that's enough for now. I'll let you know when she can have visitors again. We have some more tests to run." Knowing she wasn't going to be rid of SG-1 that easily, she said,

"You can wait in my office if you like. Teal'c, make sure Daniel doesn't over-do it, okay?"

"I shall watch over him like a hen's mother," he said.

"That's 'mother hen,'" Jack mumbled, dragging Teal'c towards Janet's office.

Janet shook her head as she returned to Sam's side. What a bunch they made.

"Janet? Should I have known them?"

"Yes, but if you don't right now, that's all right," she said, giving Sam's arm a reassuring pat.

"The first man I talked to? Jack? He, uh, is he. . . ."

"What, Sam?"

"Is he my husband?"

Janet almost choked. "You're husband? No, he's not your husband. He's your commanding officer. Why did you think he was your husband?"

Sam seemed a little flustered. "I don't know. He seems familiar somehow, in a way the others didn't. And the way he picked up my hand," she said raising it to look at her fingers, "It just seemed kind of intimate."

"Well, you're very close friends. You all are. Maybe that's what you're feeling."

"That must be it," Sam said. "You mentioned he's my commanding officer? I'm in the military?"

"Yes, Air Force to be exact."

Sam started to laugh.

"What's so funny," Janet asked, feeling herself begin to smile.

"Well, I absolutely *hate* guns. I can't imagine being in a profession where I'd have to use one!"

Janet's smile slipped. You can remember a thing like hating guns, but you don't know your closest friends?"

"Kind of bizarre, huh?"

"Sam, I think we really need to run those tests now."

*********

Jack paced Janet's office, occasionally spreading the blinds to get a view of what was going on in the infirmary.

"Jack, will you relax? Wearing a hole in the floor isn't going to make the tests go any faster," Daniel said. "Besides, you're making me dizzy," he smiled, getting Jack to do the same.

"It is a relief in itself that Captaincarter has won her battle and regained consciousness" Teal'c said.

"You're right," Jack said trying to sit in a chair. It lasted all of a minute.

Jack had resumed his pacing as Janet walked into her office rubbing her forehead.

"We've got the old good news and bad news scenario. Which do you want to hear first?"

"Good news," Daniel said.

"Bad news," Jack offered.

"I have no opinion," Teal'c added.

"Guess it's my call then. Good news is, Sam is awake and doesn't seem to have suffered any physical side effects from the coma. Bad news is, she's got some pretty major gaps in her memory."

"You mean amnesia," Daniel said.

"Yes. Now this isn't unusual. The strange part is she remembers some things with absolute clarity. Like language skills. She doesn't have any trouble in communicating. Motor and other autonomic functions seem to be normal as well. She also appears to have a rather strong sense of what she likes, and what she doesn't like."

"For example?" Jack asked.

"The fact she doesn't remember being in the Air Force and how she says she hates guns. Not just doesn't like them. She loathes them. Said she'd never have one in her house."

"Carter?" Jack incredulously. "She's not exactly the poster girl for the NRA, but she certainly hasn't had any problems carrying or using a weapon before!"

"The key word here being 'before.'"

"Okay, so what else is different," Daniel asked.

"Well, she remembers nothing of being in the service, nothing about SGC or the Stargate. Nothing of her training in astrophysics. And," Janet paused, "nothing about any of you."

"Isn't this all a little cliché?" Jack asked.

"Then it should be right up your alley." Daniel commented.

"So why just these memories? Isn't it a little odd that her personality's just been erased, leaving everything else?" Jack asked, ignoring Daniel's jibe.

"Oh, she's got plenty of personality," Janet said with a knowing grin. "She asked if you were her husband!"

"Her what?! Where the hell did she get that idea?"

"From you, apparently. She says she feels as if she knows you, but doesn't know from where. Daniel and Teal'c didn't ring a bell."

"More ringing bells," Teal'c said.

"She said you were the first person she saw when she woke up, and assumed from the way you were holding her hand, maybe you were involved."

Jack started to blush. "So, it's a crime to hold someone's hand?"

Janet and Daniel were doing their best not to laugh, but Jack was getting more embarrassed by the moment. Sure, he liked Carter, but not in that way!

"Look, I think she remembers more than she's letting on. I don't know why she's doing this. Maybe as a joke or something."

"I don't think so, Colonel. If she is, then she should be an actress instead of a soldier."

"Janet, she called me 'Jack' when she woke up. Now you're telling me she doesn't remember me?"

Janet looked him square in the eye. "I don't think that's what she said. She swears she doesn't know you."

Jack gazed around at the occupants of the room. "I know what I heard. She said my name!"

"Look, Colonel, you're tired. This has been an emotional two weeks. You don't think it's possible you could have imagined it since you wanted it so badly?"

Jack didn't know what to say. Could he have imagined it? He didn't think so, but it wasn't worth getting into an argument over.

"Maybe, I don't know," he said, scrubbing his face with his hands. "Can I see her?"

"She's sleeping. Believe it or not her body still needs rest after something like this."

"We need to tell the General," Jack said, looking at the rest of his team. "You should be there too," he said to Janet.

"Just give me a minute to gather some notes and I'll join you in the briefing room."

*********

Hammond was actually the last person to enter the room. Everyone stood, waiting for the general to motion them to their seats.

"Gentlemen, Dr. Fraiser. What can you tell me?"

Janet gave a brief summary of Sam's condition while Jack paced, staring out the window over-looking the 'gate room. He still couldn't believe her life had effectively been erased. It was almost if a stranger were lying in the infirmary. Maybe if Janet had allowed him to talk to her, he would have been able to stir up some recent memories, but she'd insisted no one disturb her for the next twenty-four hours.

Jack was brought back into the meeting by Hammond asking Janet how much detail she'd gone into when questioning Sam about the Stargate program.

"Well, sir, I just asked her if the words meant anything to her. I didn't tell her what it was. I was hoping she'd remember and tell me."

"I hate to say this, in light of what an asset Captain Carter is to this program, but if she doesn't remember her work here, she could be a threat to security."

"General, please! You think Sam's going to get out of bed and run to the first tabloid?"

"Colonel, at the moment I don't know what Captain Carter is capable of. I don't think any of us are."

"I know Sam wouldn't betray us," Daniel stated vehemently.

"Under normal conditions I would agree with you," Hammond said. "I'm not saying she'd purposely give away classified information. She might do so without realizing it. All I'm saying is she's not allowed any deeper into the facility than the infirmary, and no mention about the Stargate, SGC or your work here will be discussed with her. Is that clear?"

Jack grit his teeth. "Yes, sir."

Janet, Daniel and Teal'c echoed his response.

"But what if showing her around down here could jog a memory, or something? Seeing the Stargate might serve as a catalyst." Daniel said.

"I'm sorry, son, but we just can't take that chance."

"It's okay, Danny. We'll find some way to help her without breaching security," Jack said, placing his hand on Daniel's good shoulder.

"All right," Daniel said. "But if she asks me about any of this, I won't lie to her."

"Fair enough. I want her back on the team as much as you do," Hammond said. "Now, Dr. Jackson. How about that report you owe me on P6J-847?

Daniel sorted through his notes, launching into a lecture on Arrissan culture, but Jack couldn't keep his mind on the meeting. He'd heard most of this before in the hours they'd waited by Sam's bedside. Not that the concept of the Arrissans building the original 'gate network wasn't intriguing, he just couldn't seem to get his mind off Sam.

What was she going to do if she didn't remember how to be a soldier or an astrophysicist? Work at McDonalds? The thought of her brilliant mind now being out of reach was almost as depressing as if she'd died. In a way, she had. Maybe if she didn't remember how smart she was, she wouldn't miss it. But then who's to say because her memories weren't functioning her intellect wasn't? Jack shook his head. This was getting a little too philosophical for him.

"Colonel, do you have something to add?" Hammond asked.

"No, sir. I think Daniel covered it all."

"Very well. I'm keeping SG-1 on downtime for the next week or so. We'll review again at that time. Dismissed."

Well, that was it, Jack thought. Janet wouldn't let him near the infirmary until morning, so there was nothing keeping him at the base that evening. But the thought of returning to his empty house didn't seem like much of an option. Take Teal'c out for a beer? Nah, that wasn't a good choice either. He never realized how much he'd come to depend on his friends at SGC to see him though downtime. Any other time he would have been grateful for a little solitude, but today, the thought of going home just seemed. . .lonely. Too bad Janet wouldn't let Daniel out of her sight yet. Even if they couldn't go out, they could hang together. But Daniel looked wiped out just from sitting in the briefing room; he wouldn't be much company either.

There really was no reason for him to leave the base, other than to collect his mail that'd piled up, but he knew getting out would be good for him. Get his mind off his injured friends. It's what he'd make them to do if they were in his shoes, he told himself. So, Jack did the unthinkable. He took his own advice.

*********

Samantha lay on in her bed, staring at the ceiling of the infirmary, trying to remain still so the staff wouldn't give her a sedative. She wanted a clear head. So much seemed foggy as it was, she didn't need chemicals messing with what little she could remember.

Okay. This Dr. Fraiser--Janet--claimed they were friends. She didn't have a reason to doubt her, after all, she'd been nothing but kind and understanding. She'd told her she was in the Air Force. God, it was enough to make her laugh! Her? In the military? While she couldn't seem to remember any other occupation, the thought of herself in that kind of ridged hierarchy seem preposterous. Janet also mentioned astrophysics. That seemed a bit of a stretch, too. Didn't you have to be smart to do something like that? She sure didn't feel very smart at the moment.

She'd overheard parts of the report Janet had given the men waiting in her office. How her language and motor skills were intact. Well, that was obvious since she'd been talking to all of them. Trying to describe the sensations she'd experienced, Samantha told her it was like waking from a dream, trying to grasp the images before they slipped away, but they had. Certain things held what she'd call a "resonance" for her, like this medical facility, and Jack, the man she assumed to be her husband. And why did she think she was married? Raising her hand, there wasn't a ring or other evidence she was married. Maybe it was just the way he'd looked at her, that made her think they were connected somehow.

The other men looked at her with warm affection, but it was different. Again it was something she just couldn't put her finger on, and trying to force it into her mind was giving her a headache. And not just any headache. This one came on swiftly, hitting her between the eyes as if she'd literally been stabbed.

Samantha let out a moan, the pain was so intense. Her outcry roused a nurse.

"Captain Carter? What is it?"

"Headache," she gasped. "Bad one."

"I'll get Dr. Fraiser," the young woman informed her, hurrying back out of sight. Samantha raised her free hand to rub her forehead in an attempt to ease the pain, but it didn't help. Tears were slipping out of her eyes as she bit her lip in an effort not to cry out.

Janet ran into the room. "Sam, what's wrong?"

"Headache. It just came out of nowhere," she said, taking a great lung full of air to keep her voice from shaking. She heard Janet riffling though a medical cabinet, and watched her inject something into her IV

"That should start to work pretty quick," Janet said, soothing Samantha's sweat-soaked hair off her brow. The doctor waited a few moments then asked,

"That better?"

"Um hmm."

Samantha could hear the concern in the Janet's voice. "What brought this on?"

"I'm not sure. I was trying to remember something, trying to see if I could recall anything about my life in the Air Force, or with those men you said are my friends."

"Ah, well there's your problem," Janet smiled. "Didn't anyone ever tell you it's dangerous to think?"

Samantha gave her a weak grin.

"I think you'll sleep better, now. And don't try so hard to remember. It'll come back to you in time. See you in the morning," Janet said, pulling the covers up over Samantha's free arm. She wanted to say something, but was too drowsy. Damn. She'd ended up getting sedated anyway. . . .

*********

A week had passed and still Janet wouldn't release Sam. Jack visited everyday, staying until the doctor kicked him out, only to return to home and wait for the next day when he could check on Sam. He felt sorry for her, subjected to every test Janet could think of. From physical, to psychological to everything in between, Sam was poked, prodded and questioned until she couldn't think straight. Interrogators could take a lesson from well-meaning doctors, Jack thought.

Daniel had finally been released and Jack helped settle him and Teal'c in Daniel's cluttered apartment.

"God, it's good to be home," Daniel sighed, sinking into his couch. He winced as he leaned back, so he took it slowly.

"Can I get you something, Danny?" Jack offered.

"How about a beer?"

"Perhaps that would not be wise," Teal'c advised. "Dr. Fraiser specifically stated that the combination of alcohol and pain killers would not be the best course of action."

"Come on, Teal'c! One beer! Maybe I'll finally get some sleep tonight," Daniel whined.

"Yeah, let the kid have a beer, Dad. Get me one while you're in there," Jack said, grateful Teal'c headed for the refrigerator so he didn't have to argue with him. He felt like all he did these days was argue. Fight with Janet about letting Sam out of the infirmary. Going up against Hammond about keeping Sam out of the loop.

"When do you think Janet will finally let Sam go?" Daniel asked, talking a big sip of his beer.

"You reading my mind again, Daniel?" Jack teased. He supposed it wasn't too much of a guess where his thoughts were these days.

"I mean, how many more tests can she perform?"

"You're preaching to the choir, Danny Boy. I've been bugging the Doc to let her go for days. She says she doesn't want her to be alone."

"So, offer to baby-sit," Daniel said, as if the solution were obvious. "I'd offer, but it seems I've got my own watch-dog," he said, nodding at Teal'c who was seated in an overstuffed chair, but didn't look relaxed.

"Danieljackson is correct. I have more than full hands taking care of him."

"Hands full. You have your hands full taking care of Daniel," Jack corrected.

"As I said."

"Besides, she seems to have taken to you more than the rest of us," Daniel said, hiding his smile by taking another sip of beer.

"That's just because I hang around so much," Jack added, his tone defensive.

"Sure, Jack. Whatever."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing! Only that you guys have something going on between you. Maybe it's a military thing, I don't know. I didn't mean anything by it!"

Jack tried to relax into his chair once more. The last thing he or Carter needed were rumors flying around the base that there was something going on between them. If he asked Janet to release Sam into his care, he might as well broadcast it on the P.A. system. But how could he just leave her there? How was she supposed to get better, remember who she was by staying locked up in the infirmary? Her quarters on base were no better. They were little more than a cell, certainly not conducive to sparking any warm and fuzzy memories.

"You're right, Daniel. She can't stay there. I'll talk to Janet tomorrow."

". . . .S'good Jack," Daniel mumbled as his head fell forward, asleep.

"Give me a hand, will you, Teal'c?" Jack asked, standing and crossing over to where Daniel was slumped on the couch.

Together they managed to pull Daniel over so he was lying on his good side. "Any idea where he'd keep a blanket?" Jack asked.

Teal'c had spent enough nights on Daniel's sofa to point Jack in the direction of a closet. Retrieving a well-worn quilt, Jack covered his friend and removed his glasses. Maybe the idea of looking after Sam wasn't so bad, he thought. How hard could it be?

*********

Samantha looked past Janet to see Jack standing, fidgeting, on the other side of the infirmary.

"He asked if he could take me home?" she asked.

"Yes, he did. I told him the only way I was letting you out of my sight was if someone was with you. He volunteered."

"But why?" Samantha asked again.

"He's your friend. I suspect he's trying to help. To be perfectly honest, I hope you take him up on it, because I'm really getting sick of him hanging around," Janet said with a teasing smile.

Samantha noticed he had a small duffel bag with him. He must have counted on her leaping at the chance to escape the medical facility and packed a bag for her. Well, she was certainly ready to be rid of the tests, but she imagined the questions were just beginning. She was getting so tired of hearing, do you remember this or that? How about family? Friends? Places? School? All she really wanted was to go somewhere she felt safe. A place that was quiet and she could explore questions on her own without being prompted.

She felt safe with Jack. Somehow, when he was in the room with her she felt like everything was going to be okay. But that didn't mean she wanted him around all the time. She understood the doctor's concerns, but she also didn't want to be a burden to this man who surely had gone beyond the bounds of average friendship. The frequency of his visits alone seemed above and beyond what she'd expect from a friend. Janet tried to tell her she and the rest of her team were as close as family. Maybe she was right.

"Okay. Sure. If he's willing, you know all I want to do is get out of here."

"Great! I'll give him some instructions, then I guess you'll be free to go."

Now it was Samantha's turn to feel jumpy. She kept stealing glances at Jack while Janet ran down a final list of orders. From time to time she'd catch his eye, and the half-smile that would almost form on his face as his gaze met hers. As if they were sharing some kind of private joke

Finally, Janet finished with him and Samantha watched him approach. His stride was punctuated by a slight limp, which she hadn't noticed before. Perhaps it was an old injury that was acting up, she thought.

*How would I know that?* she wondered. He could have hurt it recently, but for some reason she was sure he'd had it for awhile, even if this was the first she'd noticed it.

"Hi, Sam. Doc says I can take you home," he smiled. "I stopped by your place and got you some jeans and a sweatshirt. I hope you don't mind. I know where you keep your spare key, so I just let myself in."

"No, I don't mind," she said. "Good thing you know where the key is, because I don't!" she joked. Instead of making light of the situation, she seemed to make him more uncomfortable.

"I'm sorry, Jack. I didn't mean to make you feel bad," she said, placing her hand on his arm. "I guess this is kind of new for all of us." Her smile was genuine, causing him to relax. Their eyes seemed locked together for a moment, until Janet coughed.

"You gonna change into those clothes or did you want to make a fashion statement in a hospital gown?"

Samantha practically leapt off the bed, deftly managing to hold the back of her gown closed.

"I'll be right back," she said, blush creeping over her face. This whole thing was making her nervous. What was the big deal? A friend was seeing her home. End of story. So how come she felt there had been more to her feelings for Jack then people were telling her?

*********

Samantha looked around in wide-eyed amazement as Jack led her through the labyrinth of the base. It was all very utilitarian, just like the infirmary, and she wondered if all military bases were this sterile.

Jack said very little to her on their way topside. She hadn't realized she'd been deep underground until she began counting off the seconds the elevator rose steadily.

"How far down were we?" she asked. Jack looked uncertain, as if he wasn't sure what answer to give her.

"It's a ways," he said.

"I take it you're not supposed to talk to me about what I did here either," she sighed. "Must have been some pretty top-secret stuff." Jack didn't take her bait, but then she didn't expect a man who looked to be an experienced soldier to be taken in by such an obvious line.

"Look, Sam, it's not that I don't want to tell you what you did here. In fact Daniel and I have been pushing General Hammond to grant you clearance. He just feels it's best for all concerned if you remember it on your own."

"I guess I can understand that," she said as the elevator finally bumped to a halt.

"Almost there," Jack smiled as he escorted her through the check-point.

"Good to see you again, Captain Carter," the guard said. Samantha froze for a moment, unsure of how to respond to the soldier who'd greeted her. Did she know him?

"Yes, hello," she mumbled as she allowed Jack to urge her forward.

"Airman," he said, tipping his head toward the young man, almost pushing her towards the entrance with his hand on her back.

"Do I know him?" Samantha whispered as they approached the final gate.

"Not that I know of," Jack said. "I don't think you know any of these guys either."

"Captain Carter! Good to see you up and about, Ma'am!" the man at the gate greeted her. She simply smiled as Jack continued to propel her towards the rows of parked cars.

"Geeze, you know every guy in this place?" Jack grumbled, his tone almost jealous.

Samantha shrugged. "Maybe I do!"

Jack directed her to his car, tossing her the keys. "You don't mind letting yourself in, do you? I forgot I was supposed to tell Hammond when we were leaving." Samantha watched him jog towards the gate they'd just exited, reaching for a phone attached to the fence. It sure seemed like a lot of checking in and out to leave this facility, but again, what did she know of military security?

Unlocking the passenger door of Jack's car, she noticed it was sportier than she would have guessed for him. She didn't know what she expected. Maybe with all the army stuff she was expecting a Jeep or something.

Samantha sat for a few minutes, looking at the surrounding landscape, fiddling with the car keys. She kept looking over her shoulder, but Jack was still engaged. She started flipping though his tape collection, curious as to what type of music he liked. Surprised at the variety, she was still paging through his cassettes when she heard his door open.

"Sorry about that. The general seemed to want a full run down on where I was taking you. I guess 'home' wasn't enough information." Jack noticed her looking at his music.

"I know, I should have a CD player, but tapes are just so much more durable. Besides, most of this stuff will never come out on CD anyway."

"I wouldn't have pegged you for a jazz man. Or a country man. Or a heavy metal man."

"Then what kind of man would you have me pegged for?" he asked, his eyes meeting hers.

"Well, not such an eclectic mix," she said.

"Now there you go, Sam. You must be feeling better already. Using one of your fifty-cent words."

Samantha knew he was just teasing her, but it still stung for some reason.

"Jack? Would you do me a favor and call me 'Samantha?' I don't know why, but 'Sam' just sounds strange to me. I don't feel like a 'Sam.'"

"Uh, sure. Samantha. It's just that you always insisted on 'Sam.' I guess I never thought of you as anything else."

"I'm not trying to be difficult. I know this sounds silly," she said, looking down at her hands, "but it's kind of the way I can keep track of it all in my head. 'Sam' is who I was. 'Samantha' is who I am."

"Hey, don't you be giving up on 'Sam' just yet! Doc Fraiser said you could start remembering things at any time."

"She's been saying that since I came out of the coma," Samantha sighed. She handed Jack his keys. "Well, I hear 'there's no place like home.' Let's see if it's true."

*********

Jack fished around a light fixture half-way down the hall from where he'd left Samantha. "Got it!" he said triumphantly holding the key out to her.

"I leave a spare out here? Where anyone could get it?" she asked.

"Would you think to look there?" he asked. "There's a little niche where the plastic meets the base. Perfect hiding spot. I was always impressed you found it," he smiled.

"Guess I'm smarter than I look," she said, taking the key from his hand. It didn't seem to want to go into the lock.

"Here, it's a little tricky," he said, covering her hand with his. He jiggled the handle just so and the key slid in effortlessly. Obviously this wasn't the first time he'd been to her apartment if he knew the quirks of her lock. He turned the knob, opening the door for her.

"Home sweet home."

Samantha stepped in, looking around. Shades were pulled except for one window where several plants were clustered. She crossed over to them, touching a leaf here and there.

"They're not dead. You said I was in the infirmary for three weeks. How come they aren't dying?"

Jack shoved his hands into his pockets, shrugging his shoulders. "I watered them. I figured they'd be dead if I didn't."

Samantha could see he felt awkward admitting he'd performed the service for her.

"I did Danny's too," he added quickly.

Samantha smiled. "Thank you, Jack. I'm sure they would have died."

She continued her perusal of the apartment. It was small, but comfortable. Perfect for one person who didn't probably didn't spend a lot of time there. She'd gotten the impression she was gone quite a bit, but unsure how it was all tied in with the Air Force. Didn't they usually live in government housing? How come she had a place on the outskirts of Colorado Springs? Maybe she wasn't permanently assigned to Cheyenne Mountain. But the apartment had the look of someone who'd lived there for sometime, not a transient moving from post to post.

"Have I lived here long?"

"About two years, since you were transferred from the Pentagon," he said.

"*The Pentagon?*" she said, mouth dropping open. "I worked at the *Pentagon?*"

"Well, Samantha, you *are* and astrophysicist. Do you think you worked in the mail room or something?"

"I thought you couldn't talk about what I did," she said, still in shock at the news he'd just delivered.

"I can't talk about what you do at Cheyenne Mountain, but no one said anything about your career up to that point," he smiled.

"You bend the rules like that all the time, Jack?" she asked, cocking her head, smiling at him.

"Every damn time I can!"

Samantha's grin widened. "I knew I liked you." Suddenly the playful mood evaporated, embarrassed she was flirting with him.

"Astrophysicist," Samantha said, shaking her head, trying to distract him from the statement she'd just made. "I still can't believe it."

"Believe it," he said, pulling her over to her bookshelves. Row after row of scientific books, journals and other information relating to the study of physics and stellar phenomenon lined the shelves.

Jack searched the shelves as well. "Geeze, Carter, don't you ever read a trashy novel or anything?"

"They must be in the bedroom," she said off-handily as she ran her fingers over the titles. She came across one medium-sized volume which she removed. Looking at the cover, her mouth dropped open again. "Black Holes And Their Effect On Space/Time," by Dr. Samantha Carter, Ph.D.

"I'm *published?*" she gaped at him again.

"Oh, yeah," he drawled. "It was on the bestseller list for months. I remember the first time I read it, I couldn't put it down."

Samantha slapped his arm with the book. "Jack! I'm serious!"

She opened the book and read the dedication: "To my father, who knows I'll get there someday." The inscription seemed rather ambiguous, but that was probably her point. She remembered Jack telling her in the infirmary how her father was away, on a long trip, and it was nearly impossible to contact him. She wondered how long he'd be gone. She was curious about the man who'd inspired the acknowledgment.

Paging through the book, Samantha read passages here and there that may as well have been a foreign language.

"I really wrote this?" she asked, looking up at Jack again.

"Well, I was always under the impression you stole someone else's work and just put your name on it. That is until I realized you really understood what's in there. Yeah, Sam, you really wrote it," he said, his voice tinged with awe and pride.

"Man, I must be boring!"

Jack tried to hide his smile as his voice dropped it's sarcastic tone. "No, you're not. In fact, you're the one who got me to re-think my opinion of scientists. Quite a feat, actually."

Somewhere during his confession, Jack picked up her hand and was now gently squeezing it. Samantha swallowed, overwhelmed by the emotions she was feeling. How was it possible he could go from teasing her to making her knees feel weak in the span of seconds?

She laughed nervously. "Guess those hypnotism lessons paid off."

Samantha replaced the book and continued her journey around the apartment. Small kitchen, adequate bathroom and fairly good-sized bedroom. She entered the bedroom and sat on the bed as Jack leaned against the door frame.

"Sorry if I messed your things up looking for some clothes."

"No. It's fine. It's just so weird how none of this is familiar. I feel like I'm in a strange place and I just have to take everyone's word that it's my stuff. It's like walking into a stranger's house, pretending it's yours. You know what I mean?"

"Ah, actually, no. I mean I understand where you're coming from, but I can't imagine how it must feel for you."

"It's kind of scary," she admitted. Jack crossed the room, taking a seat next to her on the bed. He placed his hand on her knee, patting it gently.

"I'm sure it's very scary. But you're tough, Carter. I'm not trying to belittle your situation, but you've got an inner strength that has nothing to do with your memory. You'll get through this. We'll get through this," he added.

Samantha felt tears welling up as she looked at him. "Thanks, Jack. That means a lot. Really." A stray tear managed to escape which she quickly wiped away. Taking a deep breath, she said,

"I think I need a minute alone. Do you mind?"

"Not at all. Take as much time as you need. And believe it or not, you were happy here."

Samantha bit her lip and nodded as Jack stood, placing a chaste kiss on her forehead. He'd barely made it out the door before her control broke and the flood of hot tears coursed down her cheeks.

On to Part 2

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