Future Revelations

Title: Future Revelations

Author: Suz W.

Feedback: I would love to hear from you!

Spoilers: After Watergate, The First Ones, and Scorched Earth (episode tag)

Rating: R, S/J Friendship, Romance, Action/Adventure, Angst, Sexual Situations and Mild Violence.

Summary: SG-1 finds themselves racing against the clock to prevent a future event from happening.

Disclaimer: All publicity 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.

Copyright: The original characters, situations, and story are the property of the author. Copyrighted on March 28, 2004, by Suzanne R. Whitmarsh.

Author’s Notes: This story follows “Living Dreams”. This new story will help to answer some questions from the last one. As always, your feedback is welcomed and greatly appreciated! Enjoy!

Dedication: I would like to dedicate this story to Melisma. Thanks for your continued support of my stories! It’s wonderful to know that you are continuing to enjoy them. You’re dedication is greatly appreciated.

“Daniel! Do you see him on the cameras?” Jack asked, yelling into his radio. Jack’s adrenaline was pumping hard as the entire base, now on lockdown, continued to search the compound for the Goa’uld that was trying to escape.

Daniel’s eyes darted back and forth from screen to screen as he and the other two airmen in the security room watched the screens for any sign of the imposter. Daniel shook his head in frustration as he clicked on his radio. “I don’t see him Jack. But then, it would help to know who exactly we are looking for.”

Jack responded immediately with an irritated tone, layering over his already frustrated one. “I know that, Daniel! Just keep looking! He’s obviously one of the base personnel since he got in here.” Jack paused briefly before continuing. “And don’t ask me how that happened either!”

Daniel reached up and adjusted his glasses. He was just as frustrated not knowing what or who to look for. Deciding against any further radio communication with Jack for the moment, Daniel went back to watching the monitors, hoping to catch a glimpse of any unusual activity that might give them a clue as to the whereabouts of the Goa’uld.

Jack’s voice suddenly crackled out over the radio again. “Carter! Teal’c! Have you found anything?”

Sam took one of her hands off her gun as she clicked on her radio in response. “Negative, Sir! Teal’c and I are still looking, but we haven’t sensed the presence of the Goa’uld yet.” Sam clicked off her radio and waited for any response Jack might send. Her trained eyes darted back and forth and she and Teal’c moved forward down the long corridor they were checking out.

Jack clicked back on his radio in response as he continued to head towards the control room to see if the general wanted them to take a different course of action. “Keep looking. Radio me the second you sense anything.”

Sam clicked on her radio. “Yes, Sir!” Sam continued to focus her vision as she moved forward. Only 30 minutes ago she had been working in her lab when the alarms had gone off for lockdown. One of the airmen had been found dead on level 23, and another had been severely injured. They had managed to make out the words “his eyes glowed” just before the airman lost consciousness.

Jack reached the control room and found the general coordinating the search from there. As he approached him, General Hammond looked up.

“Colonel O’Neill, report.”

“We’ve got nothing yet, General. I suggest that we…” Just then, the power to the base was cut, and blackness surrounded them. Waiting for their eyes to adjust to the emergency lighting, Jack heard his radio click on as Sam’s voice came floating over it.

“Colonel! I think we’ve got him cornered. I don’t see him, but I can sense him. He’s close by.”

Jack looked at the general as he clicked on his radio. “Carter! Where are you?” Jack could feel his heart starting to beat even faster as he waited for her response. He knew that Sam could handle herself, but despite the fact that Teal’c was with her, he still didn’t like the idea of her being in close proximity to a Goa’uld without him watching her six.

Sam’s voice was finally heard over the radio. “Sir, we’re on level…Teal’c watch out!” The radio went dead.

Jack felt helpless. “Carter! Respond!” He couldn’t just stand there, but she could be anywhere. “Carter!”

Jack radioed back to her. “Position, Carter! Where are you? I’ll send backup.” The few precious seconds he waited for her response seemed endless. Finally, he heard her voice. “Colonel, I’m on level…” Just then Jack heard another voice interrupt Sam’s. “Major Carter, what’s going on?” Then he heard Sam’s response. “Shhh! Stay there! Sir, I’m right outside the…” Jack suddenly heard a loud grunt from Sam as something impacted her and the radio went dead.

Jack didn’t know what to do. He knew the general was right beside him, and it was all he could do to keep himself composed. “Carter! Can you hear me?” Jack’s voice became more urgent. “Carter! Sam! Respond!”

Sam could hear Jack’s desperate cries for her to respond over the radio, but she couldn’t. Without warning, she had been thrown against the wall, her back slamming into it with an unbelievable force. As she struggled to get up, she could see the airman, or Goa’uld, approaching her. As she reached out to strike, his hand blocked hers, and with his other hand, reached out and activated the ribbon device that he had attached to it. The pain was immense, the light blinding. As she dropped to her knees in pain, it felt like a knife was splitting open her head. She had brief memory flashes of this exact pain when Jolinar had occupied her body, and the Goa’uld assassin attempted to kill both of them. Fortunately for her, Jolinar had given her life to save Sam’s.

“Let her go!” Sam heard the familiar voice of her fellow co-worker, but only watched helplessly as the Goa’uld swung his free arm and knocked him against the wall. The pain continued as she barely registered Jack’s voice over her radio. Without really knowing it, the Goa’uld ripped the radio off her shoulder and clicked it on.

Jack thought he was going to go insane when he heard the Goa’uld’s voice on the other end. “It’s time for SG-1 to know real defeat. And the best way to do that is to kill the heart of your team.” Jack could hear Sam’s cries as he only imagined the torture that the bastard was putting her through. He didn’t know where to go. “Daniel!” Jack yelled into his radio. “Give me something. Where are they!”

Daniel immediately responded. “I don’t know Jack. When the power was cut, the screen went dead. They won’t operate on emergency power!”

Jack was about to respond when the Goa’uld came back on the radio. “You’re too late! Say goodbye!” And with that, all Jack heard was a sudden, final cry of pain from Sam, and then nothing.

Sam’s vision began to fade as the realization of the knife in her chest became clearer to her. She no longer felt the sharp pain in her head, but only a cold, numb feeling that radiated up her spine. As she fell to the ground, her final thought was of Jack. She pictured his face as a single tear ran down her cheek, just before the blackness completely consumed her.

Jack felt his heart exploding inside his chest. He might as well have been the one to be killed. If Sam was dead, his life was over too. Just as he was about to click the radio, a desperate voice came over the radio. “Oh my God! I think Major Carter is dead! Can anyone hear me? Help, please!” Jack recognized the voice but could think of who it was. Turning around, he raced down the stairs. He could hear the general calling out after him, but he didn’t care. He had to find her, somehow. As he ran, he could feel the tears of sorrow, disbelief and anger welling up in his eyes. Running around the corner to the elevator, he saw a split-second flash of light. Since his blood was pumping so hard, he chalked it up to nothing more than high blood pressure and stress. He wouldn’t put it past his mind to play tricks on him at that point.

As the elevator doors opened, he was sure his mind was playing tricks on him. He didn’t move an inch, but instead just blinked and looked again. There was Sam, standing in front of him, looking as beautiful as she always did. Jack didn’t know what to think. He could feel the blood draining from his face as he watched her approach him, a look of growing concern on her face.

Sam reached out and touched Jack’s arm. “Sir, are you okay?” She could tell something was wrong, really wrong, but she had no idea what it could be. Wishing she could really hold him, she waited for him to answer.

Jack didn’t know what to say. He was at a loss for words. Confused, his emotions were running all different directions. “Sam..”

Sam was surprised to hear him call her by her first name at the base. Giving him a gentle raise of her eyebrows, she answered him back. “Sir…”

Jack blinked again. “Carter. You’re…alive. What happened? Where’s the Goa’uld?”

Sam gave him a confused look. “A Goa’uld, Sir? What are you talking about? And what did you mean by being surprised that I was alive?”

Jack didn’t know where to start. Emotions running high, he took a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves. “You know what I’m talking about. I just heard you, on the radio, being…killed…by a Goa’uld…somewhere in this base.”

Sam was really confused now. “Sir, I just got here a little bit ago. Frankly, I’m surprised to see you here so early.”

Jack looked at her. “What do you mean you just got here? We’ve been in lockdown for the last hour. One airman was found dead and another injured. The injured airman confirmed before losing consciousness that the one that attacked them had glowing eyes! You mean to tell me you don’t remember any of this?”

Sam felt helpless. She wished that she could help him. She could see that he was emotionally very torn, and she hated to see him in pain of any kind. She lowered her voice. “Jack, please, calm down. What caused you to think all of this? Was it a dream?”

Jack threw his hands up in frustration. “No, it wasn’t a dream! I heard you get killed! I was completely helpless because I didn’t know where you were.” Accessing the elevator, he led her onto the car and waited for the doors to close. Once they did, he reached out and took her in his arms, holding her tighter than he ever had done before. Keeping his voice low, he continued. “I thought I’d lost you. God, I was ready to die myself. All I could hear were your cries of pain and me unable to do anything about it!” He could feel his voice getting choked up, so he folded his head into her neck and took a few more deep breaths.

Sam held him as tight as he was holding her. Still very confused, she tried to say something that would help. “Jack, I’m fine. I got up this morning and came here. I haven’t experienced anything like you’ve described.” Feeling the elevators decent starting to slow, they released each other. As they did, Sam gave him a quick, light kiss.

Feeling her warm lips on his gave him the assurance he needed to know she was really there. He touched her cheek with his fingertips before the doors opened. Stepping off, they headed for the control room. Finding his voice again, Jack spoke up. “Well, whatever that whole thing was, it couldn’t have been a dream. It was too real. And besides, I was awake.” Stepping into the control room, they were greeted by General Hammond.

“Good morning, Major Carter, Colonel O’Neill.” General Hammond suddenly noticed that something was wrong. “What’s wrong?”

Sam looked over at Jack before answering. “Well, Sir, that’s what we’re trying to figure out. Apparently, Colonel O’Neill has experienced something that I can’t remember.”

Jack looked at the general. “And apparently, Sir, you can’t either.” Jack could tell by the look on General Hammond’s face, and by his greeting to both of them a moment ago, that he didn’t remember any of the horrible events either. Jack began to explain in detail just how the events happened.

Sam suddenly had a thought. “Sir, when did this happen?”

Jack gave her a look of confusion. “Carter, I’ve already told you, just about 30 minutes ago.”

Sam shook her head. “No, Sir, what day was it? What time did this happen?”

Jack suddenly froze, realizing the major oversight he’d just made. “It was today, September 3, at about 3 o’clock in the afternoon.”

General Hammond looked at him. “That can’t be possible. It’s only 6 o’clock in the morning. Major. Any ideas on how this could have happened?”

Sam shook her head. “None, Sir. We just experienced a time loop in which Colonel O’Neill and Teal’c were stuck in, but I don’t see how this is possible. The last three missions we went on have not resulted in anything that could have created a time jump.”

The general looked at both of them. “Well, we need to get to the bottom of this. If Major Carter’s life is in danger and we can prevent it, then do whatever is necessary to get to the bottom of this.”

Jack didn’t need direction on that order. “Yes, Sir.” Pausing, he looked at Sam. “I’m assuming that you know how to start?”

Sam couldn’t help but smile despite the seriousness of the situation. “Not exactly, Sir, but I’d say the best place to start is to sit down, with Daniel and Teal’c, and have you go over the details again. If we know what to watch out for, maybe that will give us an indication of how to stop it from happening.”

“Do it,” General Hammond said. “Oh, and we finally got the report back about that elevator incident that happened a few weeks ago.”

Jack raised his eyebrows. He’d been wondering if he was ever going to find out what had happened. It had taken a few weeks to repair it, and in the process of doing it, an investigation had been done. “Do tell, Sir. What did they find?”

The general creased his forehead. “Sabotage. They found evidence of a small explosive charge set to each wire.”

Sam and Jack looked at each other. Jack spoke first. “Any idea on who could have done it? Do you suspect a mole?”

The general shook his head. “I don’t know. But whoever did it apparently has the motive to kill you and your team. We found evidence that the charges that were set were detonated by remote control. They were just waiting for the opportune time.”

Jack sighed. “Well that’s just peachy. Now we’ve got a separate problem.”

Sam furrowed her brow. “Maybe not, Sir. It sounds to me like we may be dealing with the same person.”

The general nodded in agreement. “I think you’ve got something there, Major. Let’s get to the briefing room and start going over the details. Sergeant, page Teal’c and Dr. Jackson to the briefing room.”

Four hours later, they were still no closer to finding a solution than from when they started. Jack laid his head down on his arms and pounded a fist into the table. “General, this is pointless. We’ve been sitting here for hours beating our heads against the wall. Shouldn’t we be at least screening all personnel on the base to see if there is a Goa’uld here?”

The general sighed. “Jack, I know you’re frustrated. And we’ve been doing that for the last few hours, but nothing has been found yet.” Looking around the table, General Hammond could see the weary look on the faces of his number one team. “Why don’t we take a break? If anyone comes up with a suggestion, let me know. Dismissed.”

They all got up and collected their notes. As Sam turned to leave, Jack caught her eye. She smiled at him as best she could, despite the frustrating circumstances. She was trying to stay rational about the whole situation, attempting to convince herself none of it was real. But as the afternoon hours approached, the more she found herself wondering just what the day would really bring. She loved Jack so much, and the idea of anything separating them was too much to bear. She knew he would do everything he could to protect her, but what if it wasn’t enough? One thing she did know is that she could never hide from this. It would be like trying to escape her very own shadow.

As Jack looked at Sam, he could see the tension in her eyes despite her relatively calm exterior. He would be damned if was going to let anything happen to her. The idea of living without her would be like living without breathing: it would be impossible. Clearing his voice, he spoke up as she was turning to leave. “Hey Carter. How about a walk? I could use the fresh air, and maybe it would help clear my head and I could actually remember something useful.” Not wanting to draw suspicion, Jack quickly continued. “Teal’c? Daniel? Care to join us?”

Daniel looked up at him as he pushed his glasses back up his nose. “Sorry, Jack, but I’m just not the ‘walking’ type. Maybe some other time.”

Jack shrugged his shoulders. “Whatever. T? You want to come?”

Teal’c resigned his head. “I’m afraid I must decline, O’Neill. If I am to be fully prepared for the coming events, then I must Kel’no’rem in order to retain the full amount of my strength.”

Jack secretly rejoiced. “No problem. You’ll just be missing out on all the fresh, hot, summer air.” Looking at Sam, he smiled. “Ready?”

Sam was looking forward to some alone time with Jack. She nodded. “Yes, Sir. Just let me drop this off by my lab.”

“You got it. I’ll meet you on the surface.” And with that, Jack headed out of the briefing room and towards the elevators. He would have preferred to go with her, but he didn’t want to draw any unusual suspicions from those on the base.

Ten minutes later, Jack watched as Sam approached him. He was standing at the head of the trail that they had run on together just months before. He loved watching her, as the sunlight from the near noonday sun danced off her blond hair, causing it to cast a glow about her head that made her look almost angelic. As she got closer, he could see his reflection in her blue eyes, those eyes that kept his dreams company night and day, and seemed to look straight down into his heart, claiming it.

When Sam was within arms length of Jack, she looked over at the base in the distance to make sure they were out of anyone’s visual range, and to make sure they were alone. Not wasting any more precious moments then she had too, she reached out and drew herself into Jack’s open arms. Feeling his arms encircle her in a protective embrace made her almost forget the chaos of the day. Leaning her head against his chest, she closed her eyes and listened to the now familiar rhythm of his beating heart.

Jack took his hand and smoothed it over her hair. Holding her even tighter, he whispered into the air. “I’m not going to let anything happen to you. I can promise you that.”

Sam gave a small, sad smile at his determination. Pulling back, she looked into his face, her arms still half encircling his waist. “Jack, you can’t promise that. Every day we face risks, some bigger than others, and this one just happens to be a risk that has somehow been shown to you before it actually happens.” Sighing, she released him and walked a little further down the trail to a spot that overlooked the distant coupling mountain ranges.

Jack watched her for a moment before coming up behind her and wrapping his arms around her once more. “It doesn’t matter. Nothing is going to take you away from me. We just found this chance, and no future time-loopy thing is going to interfere with that.”

Sam’s gaze seemed distant. “How do you propose to stop it? You can’t even remember who’s voice it was you heard on the radio trying to help me. It just feels like we’re trying to find a needle in a haystack, and time apparently is running out.”

Jack couldn’t believe how negative she was being. It was almost as if she’d given up already. Turning her around to look at him, he gripped her firmly by the shoulders. “Since when does Major Samantha Carter give into defeat so easily? I’m not going to let some Goa’uld just walk in and kill you. And besides that, you’re way smarter than any Goa’uld they might bring against us.” Jack hesitated before going on, knowing she wasn’t going to like his suggestion. “But, just to be safe, I think you should get off the base for the rest of the day. Go…shopping, anything. Better yet, go visit your dad. Hell, the Tok’ra move around so much, you’ll probably get to explore a new planet.”

Sam gave him a small smile. She was touched by his continuous care and compassion, and not just for her. “Jack, I can’t just disappear.”

Jack gave her a firm look. “Why not? It’s certainly easy enough. There are a million places you can go. Just don’t be here.”

“Because,” Sam said, giving him an equally firm look, “we can’t change anything. Otherwise, we’ll never know who has it out for us.”

Jack could feel himself becoming frustrated. “As much as I know we need to figure out who this guy is, your life is more important, and I refuse to stand by and listen to some Goa’uld torture you and put a knife through your chest! I’ve already been through that, and I can’t do it again. This time there is no turning back.”

Sam nodded. “I agree, but I’m also not going to just hide out while the rest of the base looks for him.” Sam knew her voice was a little tenser than she wanted it to be, but she couldn’t help it. Watching Jack’s frustration grow, she could see him tightening his jaw.

“Damn it, Sam! Stop being so stubborn. I can make this an order if I have too.” Jack knew she wouldn’t like that, but she was just going to have to understand that he was only wanting to protect her, someone who meant more to him than anything.

Sam tried to keep things from escalating. Taking a deep breath, she took his hand and squeezed it. “Jack, I have to do this. If I walk away now, it’ll just keep coming. We’ll all be watching over our shoulders wondering when the next ambush will happen. I can’t live like that.”

Jack closed his eyes and rubbed them with his free hand. Bringing his vision back to her face, he saw the pleading in her eyes. Jack sighed. “Well, I can’t live without you. I love you…so much sometimes it scares me. What happens if I can’t remember in time to save you?”

Sam smiled up at him and cupped his cheek with her hand. “I love you, and I trust you. You’ll find a way.”

Jack grunted. “Great! No pressure or anything.”

Sam took her other hand and cupped his other cheek, bringing his head down so that her lips met his. Feeling their warmth, she felt the heat rise through her body, and knew it had nothing to do with the summer sun.

Jack could feel the tension melting away as her lips continued to caress his. Answering her passion, he wrapped her in his arms and pulled her tightly against him, his lips never leaving hers. Growing in intensity, he probed his tongue deeper, feeling her response as she shuttered in his arms. Breaking for air, he brought his lips to her neck as she arched it at his touch.

Sam saw stars, despite the sunny, cloudless day. Wanting him so much, but knowing they couldn’t lose sight of their objective, she broke the silence amid his kisses. “Jack, please. You’re not being fair. We can’t do this right now.”

Jack groaned and drew his lips from her neck. Looking into her eyes, he smiled. “Now who’s not being fair, huh? I believe you were the one who started this.” As she gave him an “oh really” look, Jack drew back and put his hands up. “Alright, I know, it takes two to tango.”

Smiling at him with all the love in her heart, she placed a feathery kiss on his lips. “Tell you what, if we make it through this, we’ll have to finish what we started.”

Jack frowned. “If? Now that’s not being very optimistic. Why don’t we say we will finish what we started.”

Sam nodded. “Deal.” Looking down at her watch, she sighed. “We really should get back. If we’re going to figure this out, standing here won’t do us any good.” Taking his hand, they turned and walked the short distance back to the mouth of the trail, releasing their hands only once the base became visible.

Despite the beautiful day, a pair of cold, dark eyes watched them from some nearby bushes. Observing the two key members of SG-1 had given him an idea of how to cut out the heart of the team. Watching the emotions run between Colonel O’Neill and Major Carter was all he needed. By eliminating the one called Carter, he would not only destroy the brains of the operation, but would extinguish a love that obviously burned bright between them. And the satisfaction of knowing the pain he would induce into O’Neill’s heart brought an evil smile to the pale complexion of his face. As they entered the base, he came out of hiding and started in the same direction, his eyes glowing brightly, much more so than a simple reflection of the surrounding light.

As he approached the entrance to the base, he knew his uniform would be questioned. As the guard at the gate held up a hand, telling him to stop, he did, and just stared.

The airman eyed the dark-haired man suspiciously. “I’m sorry, Sir, but this is a restricted area.”

The man just stared back at him. “I think you’ll find I have the appropriate clearance. One moment, please, while I find the information you need.”

The airman was surprised by his foreign accent. It almost sounded Russian. As he waited, he saw the man grab his head in what appeared to be pain. Taking a step closer, he spoke up. “Are you okay, Sir?”

The stranger groaned in pain. “There’s nothing you can do. I get tremendous migraines sometimes. The brightness of the sun can sometimes affect them. Can you help me over to the side of your outpost? I just need some shade for a moment.”

Hesitating, the airman looked around for some assistance, but found none. It was shift change, and his partner hadn’t gotten there yet. Hearing the man cry out in pain again, he slung his gun over his shoulder and helped him into the shade. No sooner were they in the shade than the man grabbed his stomach and fell to his knees. Squatting down to see what he could do to help, he was taken by surprise as the man suddenly grabbed him and threw him against the wall, knocking the wind out of him.

Trying to go for his gun that had landed a few feet away, he heard an eerie high-pitched scream. As he looked back at the man, the last thing he saw was a snake with razor sharp fangs flying at him. As it penetrated the neck of his skin, all he could do was scream out in pain before the blackness overtook him.

Five minutes later, the Goa’uld opened it’s new host’s eyes and looked around. He saw his previous host lying face down in the dirt, dead. The lack of immune system and the trauma it had caused his insides was enough to kill him. Hoping to hide him, he got up, only to find another human approaching his position. Suddenly realizing his excuse into the base, he started waving the man over. “Hurry up. This guy needs help!” The Goa’uld hated suppressing it’s natural voice, but it was necessary.

The airman picked up his pace and was at to him within moments. “What happened?”

“I’m not sure. This man approached the post, and when I told him to stop, he just collapsed.” Bending over, he picked up the unconscious man and flung him over his shoulder. Looking at the airman, he continued. “Stay here. I’ll take him to the infirmary.”

The airman looked at him. “I’ll radio ahead and get you some help.”

As the Goa’uld carried the dead weight of his former host over his shoulder, he moved forward towards the entrance to the base. Reaching the elevators, he pressed the button for Level 21, the infirmary. He knew the man would be checked over and his empty pouch would be discovered. But he didn’t care. He would disappear on this base, and would find the opportune time to complete his mission.

When the elevator doors opened, Dr. Fraiser was waiting with some orderlies and a bed. Laying the man down, he looked at the doctor. “I’m not sure what happened. He approached me and then collapsed.”

Janet nodded. “Thank you airman. Okay, lets get him into the infirmary.”

The Goa’uld watched as they disappeared around the corner. Smiling to himself, he accessed the elevator. But instead of going up, he pressed the Level 23 button. He knew that the armory was on that level, and he knew just what he was looking for.

As he got off the elevator, he walked down the hall and around the corner. And there in front of him was the white safe attached to the wall that held the only weapon he would need: the ribbon device. He knew the humans had one as soon as he probed the mind of his new host. The ease with which he was able to penetrate the host’s mind made him almost laugh out loud. No mere Earth weapon would do. He intended to provide a slow and painful death for Major Carter.

Reaching out, he used his strength and ripped open the safe door. And there inside was the ribbon device and one healing device. Choosing only the ribbon, he had barely gotten it on before he heard a voice call out.

“Stop right there! What are you doing?”

The Goa’uld looked at the airman who approached from his left and raised his hand at him. Eyes suddenly glowing, he sent off a charge of power from the device and blew the man up against the wall, knocking him unconscious. Without seeing it, a second airman who had heard the commotion came up behind him. Reacting with blinding speed, the Goa’uld flew around and grabbed the hand of the man that was hold a pistol. Struggling, the two men wrestled for control of the weapon.

Using his stamina, the Goa’uld turned the gun back on the airman and pulled the trigger. The shot sent a shock wave through him as he watched the man crumple into a heap at his feet, bleeding profusely from the upper abdomen. Knowing full well the noise from the gun would not go unnoticed, the Goa’uld made his way to the stairs, deciding he would be able to move around more easily that way than using the elevators. He intended to search all the levels if need be to find his target.

Five minutes later, the alarm sounded all over the base, indicating lockdown. Sam looked up from her notes as her heart started beating harder. It was happening. Getting up, she ran for the elevators and made her way down to the armor on Level 23. As she got off, she saw Janet and the other medical staff loading two airmen onto stretchers.

“Janet. What happened?” Sam could see that one of the airmen hadn’t made it. A pool of blood could be seen on the floor where he had laid, and his face was white, his lips a slight shade of blue.

Janet moved quickly over to the airman that lived, using her stethoscope to check his heart and breath sounds. “I don’t know, Sam. All I do know is I have an unidentified man up in my infirmary, dead.”

Sam furrowed her brow. “What do you mean, unidentified. He isn’t base personnel?”

Janet shook her head. “No. One of the airmen guarding the ground post said the man approached him and then collapsed. But he was already dead when I got to him. The strangest thing was that he had a pouch.”

“What!” Jack said, coming up behind them with Teal’c and Daniel at his heels. “Did you say a pouch, a in a Goa’uld pouch?”

Janet nodded. “Yes, Sir. But there was no symbiote inside. The man appeared to be apart of the Russian military.”

Jack raised his eyebrows in amazement. “A Russian Goa’uld? How did that happen?”

Daniel and Sam both looked at each other, the same idea occurring to them. “That would make sense, Sir,” Sam said, looking at Jack. “Do you remember a few weeks ago when we discovered the Russians had recovered our original Gate from the bottom of the ocean?”

Jack nodded impatiently. “Yeah, so? We figured out they had it because they managed to screw up and block the use of our Gate by dialing that water planet. What does that have to do with this?”

Daniel interjected. “Everything, actually. The Russians had gone one six other missions prior to that incident. There was plenty of time for one of them to become host to a Goa’uld and not be detected.”

Sam nodded. “Right. They didn’t think to screen their personnel when returning to the base.”

Janet moved around them. “Let’s get him up the infirmary.” As the stretcher pasted them, the airman moaned and briefly opened his eyes.

Jack put out a hand and stopped the bed. “Airman! Who was it? Who attacked you?”

The airman moved his head back and forth in confusion. “His eyes…they glowed.” And with that, he lost consciousness again.

Jack shook the man. “Airman! Wake up! What did he look like?”

Janet was at Jack’s side in an instant. “I’m sorry, Colonel, but the questions will have to wait. I need to get him upstairs. Let’s move.”

Jack swore under his breath as the situation continued to spiral out of control. As he was about to say something, his eye caught the condition of the white safe on the wall. “Oh crap!” Walking over to it, he slammed the broken door in frustration.

General Hammond suddenly appeared. “Colonel, report!”

Jack threw up his hands. “Well, General, it’s happening, just as I said it would. Apparently, we have an armed Goa’uld on the base. He’s got Carter’s ribbon device and well, we know his agenda.” Jack looked over at Sam and cringed. She looked as worried as he felt.

General Hammond looked confused. “How did he get in here? There hasn’t been any Gate travel today.”

Jack responded sarcastically. “Well, it looks like we’ve got the Russians to blame for that one. Apparently, during one of their six missions, one of their military personnel must have become infected with a snake.”

“But why come all the way here?” the general asked astonished.

Teal’c answered. “It is most likely that the Goa’uld is an Asrack, an assassin sent by a system lord to kill us. He will not stop until he has completed his task.”

Sam looked up. “Well, that must have been who caused the elevator to crash. And when he discovered that he’d failed, he came back to finish the job.”

Daniel got a questioning look on his face. “But how did he get in here? We haven’t found any missing personnel?”

Jack pinched the bridge of his nose. “Well, we had enough damn Russians running around here before that incident happened due to that one water…world mission. We just had to insist on the personal touch, didn’t we?”

General Hammond sighed. “Colonel, I understand you’re frustrated…”

Jack couldn’t take it anymore. “No, General, with all do respect, Sir, you don’t understand. We’ve got a Goa’uld running around this base planning on killing a member of my team. And the best part is that we don’t even know what he looks like since the original host is lying dead up in the infirmary.” Jack knew this wasn’t the best time for sarcasm, but he couldn’t help it.

“Well, he needs to be found,” the general said. “Spread out and find him. Search everywhere.”

Jack nodded. “Alright. Carter, you’re with me…”

Sam shook her head. “No, Sir. If we want to find him, we have to play this out as you experienced it the first time.”

Jack could feel his frustration growing. “Why? What does it matter?”

Sam was trying to keep the butterflies from her stomach. “I don’t know, it just does.” Sam continued to look at him, hoping he would remember their conversation.

Jack didn’t like one bit of this. “Fine. But keep in contact, and this time, radio me your positions. That’s a order!” Jack watched with a worried and aching heart and Sam and Teal’c nodded, and then headed off to start their search. As they walked away, Sam turned around briefly and looked back at Jack, capturing his gaze. Giving him a small smile, she returned her focus to the task at hand, going in search of her possible demise.

Jack realized the familiarity of the conversation. It meant they were getting closer to the moment that Jack feared the most. “I know that, Daniel! Just keep looking! He’s obviously one of the base personnel.”

Jack clicked on his radio. “Carter! Teal’c! Have you found anything?”

Jack clicked back on his radio. He knew his next move was to seek out General Hammond in the control room to see about a different course of action. But inside he was falling apart. If anything happened to Sam, he would never forgive himself. Continuing to rack his brain for any clues as to who it was he heard helping Sam on the radio, he responded. “Keep looking. Radio me the second you sense anything.”

Sam clicked on her radio. “Yes, Sir!” Sam continued to focus her vision as she moved forward. Teal’c moved beside her, their movements equally tense as they continued their search. Neither of them said anything. They both knew the sakes were high. Trying to change a future event that they knew about made what they were doing just that much harder

Jack reached the control room and found the general coordinating the search from there. As he approached him, General Hammond looked up.

“Colonel O’Neill, report.”

“We’ve got nothing yet, General. I suggest that we…” Just then, the power to the base was cut, and blackness surrounded them. “Oh crap!” Jack knew his time was running out. Waiting for their eyes to adjust to the emergency lighting, Jack heard his radio click on as Sam’s voice came floating over it.

“Colonel! I think we’ve got him cornered. I don’t see him, but I can sense him. He’s close by.”

Jack looked at the general as he clicked on his radio. “Carter! Where are you?” Jack could feel his heart starting to beat even faster as he waited for her response. It was happening too fast. Cursing to himself, he closed his eyes and focused on the voice he had heard over the radio the first time this happened. ‘Think, Jack. You have to remember.’ Jack’s thoughts continued searching as he suddenly heard Sam respond.

Sam’s voice was finally heard over the radio. “Sir, we’re on level…Teal’c watch out!” The radio went dead.

Jack felt helpless. He should have warned her that she would say that. This is how it all started. This was why he couldn’t get to her in time. “Carter! Respond!” He couldn’t just stand there, but she could be anywhere. “Carter!”

Sam grabbed her radio as she ran down one of the halls, her Zat at the ready in the other hand. “Colonel, I’m in pursuit. Teal’c’s been hurt. He’s unconscious, but I think he’ll be okay.” She had turned around in time to see a shadowy figure use the ribbon device to throw Teal’c against the wall. Running over to him, she could see that Teal’c was hurt but had a strong pulse. Standing up, she had started after the Goa’uld.

Jack radioed back to her. “Position, Carter! Where are you?!” As he waited for her response, he closed his eyes again and tried to remember. Who’s voice had it been? Finally, Sam responded. “Colonel, I’m on level…” Just then Jack heard the voice he’d been trying to place a name to. “Major Carter, what’s going on?” Without warning, Jack’s brain finally registered who it was. It was that guy Sam worked with, Henry. Research. They were on Level 19, the Research level, just outside Sam’s lab. He then heard Sam’s response. “Shhh! Stay there! Sir, I’m right outside the…” Jack suddenly heard a loud grunt from Sam as something impacted her and the radio went dead.

Jack flew out of the control room and to the stairs. With the amount of adrenaline pumping through his blood, Jack moved up the staircase in no time. Climbing up nine floors, he yelled into his radio as he went. “Carter! Can you hear me?” Jack’s voice became more urgent. “Carter! Sam! Respond!” With no response, he attempted to push his legs harder. “I’m on my way. I know where you are. Hold on!”

Sam could hear Jack’s voice over her radio, and barely registered that he said he was on his way. He’d figured it out. Now, if she could just hold on long enough. Without warning, she had been thrown against the wall, her back slamming into it with an unbelievable force. As she struggled to get up, she could see the airman, or Goa’uld, approaching her. As she reached out to strike, his hand blocked hers, and with his other hand, reached out and activated the ribbon device that he had attached to it. The pain was immense, the light blinding. As she dropped to her knees in pain, it felt like a knife was splitting open her head. She had brief memory flashes of this exact pain when Jolinar had occupied her body, as the Goa’uld assassin attempted to kill both of them. Fortunately for her, Jolinar had given her life to save Sam’s. But this time, her only salvation was going to be Jack, he if got to her in time.

“Let her go!” Sam heard the Henry’s voice, but only watched helplessly as the Goa’uld swung his free arm and knocked him against the wall. The pain continued as she attempted to move, but found no matter how she tried, she couldn’t. Without warning, the Goa’uld ripped the radio off her shoulder and clicked it on.

Jack had just reached Level 19 when he heard the Goa’uld’s voice come over Sam’s radio. “It’s time for SG-1 to know real defeat. And the best way to do that is to kill the heart of your team.” Jack could hear Sam’s cries of pain as the Goa’uld continued to torture her. Surging forward, he ran down the hall as fast as he could, the speed in his legs coming from only the seer will to save the woman he loved.

As Jack came around the corner, he finally saw the Goa’uld. He had Sam on her knees, the ribbon device driving pain into her head. He saw the Goa’uld reach down and grab the knife out of its sheath. It glinted in the shadowy light. Jack aimed his gun. “Drop it! Do it!”

The Goa’uld looked over at Jack, surprise evident on his face. An evil smile formed on his lips as he lifted the knife. As he started to bring it down in Sam’s direction, Jack fired, his bullets driving hard into the chest of the airman. The Goa’uld staggered back, the ribbon device finally deactivated. Jack watched as Sam crumpled into a heap on the ground. He wanted to go to her, but the Goa’uld was still a threat.

As he saw the Goa’uld start to raise his hand in Jack’s direction, Jack fired off an entire round into the airman, his anger and frustration motivating him. Not able to sustain anymore, the Goa’uld surrcumbed to death, falling onto the ground as blood began pooling around him.

Jack clicked on his radio. “This is O’Neill. I need a medical team stat to Level 19! The threat has been eliminated.” He clicked off his radio and threw down his gun, moving quickly over to Sam. Collapsing onto his knees beside her, he gathered her to him, her head resting in the nook of one of his arms. With no one was around yet, Jack called out her name. “Sam! Can you hear me? Please…open your eyes!” He brushed her hair out of her face and caressed her cheek as he heard the approaching footsteps of the other base personnel.

The medical team appeared around the corner with Janet leading the pack. Stopping the stretcher beside them, Jack picked Sam up in his arms and placed her on the bed. Stepping back, he let Janet start her initial assessment of her condition. Jack was going crazy with worry. “Doc! How is she?”

Janet looked up briefly into the eyes of a very worried colonel. “I don’t know. I have a pulse, but I can’t say if any permanent damage was done until I get a head CT.”

Just then, Sam moaned softly and started to open her eyes. Jack wanted to jump for joy right there. “Carter! Can you hear me?”

Sam opened her eyes and attempted to get the room to stop spinning. After a few moments, he vision settled on Jack. She furrowed her brow. “What happened?” Sam brought her hand up to her aching head. It felt like a bomb had exploded inside her brain. She registered the movement all around her, and heard the voice of General Hammond come up beside her.

“How is she doctor?” General Hammond looked down at Major Carter.

Janet took her stethoscope and draped it over her neck. “I think she’s going to be fine, Sir. But I need to get her down to the infirmary to do a complete examination.”

General Hammond nodded and looked at the airman lying dead on the floor. He looked over at Jack. “Any ideas yet on how you were able to foresee this event, Colonel?”

Jack shook his head. “No, Sir. I really don’t have a clue…” Just then, a bright beam of light illuminated the hallway, and in it’s wake, Thor appeared. Jack smiled. “Thor, little buddy!”

Thor bowed his head. “It is good to see each of you.”

Jack suddenly had a thought. “Thor, did you have something to do with this?”

Thor nodded. “Indirectly, yes. One of the Asguard scientists had been experimenting with time travel. Without my knowledge, he used Earth as his first test. Unfortunately, all it did was create a window of time that allowed a glimpse into the future. But in this case, it appears it has aided in avoiding a disaster.”

Jack smiled. “You bet it did. Tell him he has our thanks.” Jack looked down at Sam and smiled at her.

“Commander Thor,” General Hammond began, “is there any hope of us getting a chance to look at this technology?”

Thor looked over at General Hammond. “None. I have ordered the device to be destroyed. For even though it helped in your situation, I believe it is not wise to attempt to control time.”

General Hammond nodded. “I agree. But you have our thanks. Without your help, indirect as it was, we would have lost one of the most valuable members of our program.”

Thor moved forward and touched Sam’s hand. “You are welcome. Major Carter is a valuable asset to us as well.” Moving back, he looked at Jack. “Take care of her.”

Jack smiled back at Thor. In a strange way, he almost felt like Thor knew how much he loved Sam, and she him. “We will.”

With that, Thor bowed his head and disappeared into a beam of light.

Henry, who had been observing in awe from against the wall, moved forward and stopped next to Jack, looking down at Sam. “I’m glad you’re alright, Major Carter.” As Sam gave him a weak smile, he looked over at Jack. “Thank you, Sir.”

Jack looked over at him. Putting a hand on his shoulder, he responded. “No, thank you, Henry. It was your voice that helped me figure out your position.”

As Jack moved off, walking beside the stretcher as the medical team moved Sam towards the elevator, Henry felt his jaw drop open as it registered that Colonel O’Neill had actually remembered his name. Moving forward with the orderly, he began to smile, feeling proud of himself that he had actually done something that had earned Colonel O’Neill’s respect, and hearing him get his name right only confirmed that.

Five hour later, Sam opened her front door. Her eyes met Jack’s and she smiled. He was incredibly handsome in the light spilling out from inside the house as his cologne drifted in the air, invading her senses and made her feel giddy.

Jack’s eyes searched hers, his emotions still running high. No words were needed. Moving forward, he captured her mouth in an intense kiss, driving his lips over hers. Wrapping his arms around her, they moved backwards slowly. Jack used his foot to close the front door, never breaking the rhythm of his kisses. He could feel her need and desire in the way she clung to him, her breath become more uneven as she returned his kisses with an equal fire.

Scooping her up, he moved quickly back to her bedroom and laid her down on the bed. There was no need for soft caressing and gentle kisses. They both felt the fire burning deep, rapidly running through their blood and into the most sensitive areas of their body. Jack reached down with one hand and pushed Sam’s sweats down, pulling them off her legs and tossing them to the floor. He felt her fingers working the zipper on his jeans, and with his assistance, got them off in no time.

Sam brought her lips to his neck and began moving them down to his Adam’s apple, her hands traveling down his chest and to the area that caused Jack to inhale sharply. As she caressed him, she felt his hand move over her to the area that burned the most, bringing a spine-tingling sensation as the room began to spin. Lying back, Jack’s mouth moved down over hers as her entered her in a desperate longing.

Being inside of her sent waves of passion through his body, and as they moved, the room faded away from existence. Coming together in an intense urgency, they held each other as they let their bodies shutter against the emotions they were feeling. As the sensations died down, both were left with an unbelievable peace, their souls content again.

Jack and Sam pulled the covers back and got under them, snuggling together. As Sam laid her head on his shoulder, Jack brought his lips to her forehead and kissed it lightly. “I love you.”

Sam smiled. “I love you too.” Looking up, she kissed his lips with a lingering, soft kiss.

A few minutes passes by before Jack finally spoke again. “I almost lost you today.” Tightening his arms around her, he continued. “I don’t know how much more I can do this.”

Sam brought her index finger up to his lips. “Shhh. It’s over.” Running her hand over his cheek, she smiled. “I know how worried you were. I was worried. I couldn’t bare the thought of never seeing you again. But we can’t give up.”

Jack looked at her. “Why not? What’s stopping us from just retiring and being together, away from the constant threats that keep us wondering what the day will bring?”

Sam brought her head down on his chest and sighed. “The Goa’uld. We can’t give up the fight yet. If we don’t find a way to stop them, we’ll never be at peace. We just have to keep going, and believe that we’ll make it through this.”

Jack sighed and closed his eyes. “Well, one day we will win, and when that happens, stargazing from Earth will be as far as we go into space.”

It only took a few more minutes for sleep to overtake both of the. The stress and emotion from the day’s events had been too much. Never letting go of each other, they both dreamed of the day when they could openly enjoy each other without hiding. And with determination in their hearts, they stayed optimistic that the day would come.

Next Story---> "Reflections Of The Heart"

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