Whispers From The Heart

Title: Whispers From The Heart

Author: Suz W.

Feedback: Absolutely!!

Spoilers: After In The Line Of Duty, The Curse, Serpent’s Venom, and Chain Reaction (episode tag)

Rating: PG-13, S/J Action/Adventure, Romance, Friendship, and Hurt/Comfort.

Summary: SG-1 goes off world to explore a new planet, only to run into old trouble.

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 May 14, 2004, by Suzanne R. Whitmarsh.

Author’s Notes: This story follows “Consequences”. Though I know that I ended the last story with a bit of a twist, I promise there is a reason for it. So for those of you who were concerned with it’s ending, please keep reading. After all, I can’t write all of my stories with a predictable ending. I am only halfway through on this series, so I hope you will only continue to enjoy it! And I only hope that reading what I write brings you half the joy I have in writing about our favorite couple! Enjoy this latest story, and remember, feedback is always welcomed and greatly appreciated!

Dedication: This story is dedicated to Olivia! Thank you my friend for your continuous support and feedback for all of the stories I write. Your encouragement means the world to me!

The wormhole disengaged and SG-1 found themselves on yet another new world. The light from day was beginning to fade as the sun began its decent over the horizon. Their shadows danced upon the earth, which was cracked and dry, obviously from lack of rain. Yet in the far distance, a lush forest of green trees could be seen, climbing up the side of mountains that surrounded them on all sides.

Sam walked over to check the condition of the MALP and found it to be operational. Looking over her spect readings again, she turned around and looked at Jack. “No signs of life, Sir, at least not for the first five clicks around this perimeter.”

Jack looked over at her, squinting as he put on his sunglasses. “Well, it looks like we’ve got our choice of directions to pick from.” Hesitating, he continued. “Carter, care to remind me again why we’re here? Especially if there are no life signs.”

Sam smiled at him. “Well, Sir, despite the fact that this gate was the next address on the dialing program, the initial atmospheric readings I took shows great potential for this planet to become a valuable asset to our resources back on Earth. And if the mineral scans turn up reproducible numbers on samples we’re going to collect, then we could have potentially found a back-up site for the alpha site, should we need it.”

Daniel looked over at her. “Of course, that all depends on if there is or isn’t life already established here.”

Jack rolled his eyes. “Daniel, must you always be so negative? Carter was only making a positive suggestion. You should try it sometime!” Shaking his head at the glare Daniel was giving him, Jack looked up at the sun. “Well, by the looks of that setting sun, I’d say our first order of business is to set up camp for the night. Anyone have any suggestions on which direction we should pick?”

Sam looked at the forest ahead of her. “My initial scans of the area picked up a river in that vicinity, Sir. It might be a good place to start.”

Jack nodded. “Well, let’s go see if we can find Grandma.” When silence pursued his sarcastic remark, Jack looked around to find his teammates giving him a confused look. “Oh, come on! You know…over the river and through the woods, to Grandmother’s house we go…oh never mind. Move out!”

Sam couldn’t help but smirk in Jack’s direction as he gave her a tolerant look. Catching her eyes, he smiled back at her. Falling into stride next to him, they headed towards to forest.

After a few minutes of silence, Jack looked over in her direction. She seemed to be lost in thought. Clearing his throat, he spoke up quietly, knowing Daniel and Teal’c were right behind them. “Everything alright, Carter?”

Sam looked over at him and gave him a small smile. “Everything’s fine, Sir, just a little tired. I guess I’ve got too many projects going on.”

Jack snorted lightly. “Carter, you’ve always got too many projects going on.” When Sam only looked ahead without responding, he eyed her carefully. Something was different. He’d been noticing subtle changes in her behavior the last few weeks. She’d been looking paler and didn’t seem to have as much energy as she usually did. And unfortunately, they hadn’t found a lot of alone time together recently for him to ask her about it. That was something he intended to fix as soon as possible. He missed her terribly, but more than that, he was worried about her.

They continued on for the next few miles in silence, each of them taking in their surroundings while keeping up their guard for any unexpected circumstances that might decide to come up. Finally, they reached the edge of the forest and proceeded with caution, their weapons at the ready. About ten minutes later, they found a secluded clearing that was embedded nicely among the trees, and only a few hundred feet from the river. The forest around them didn’t seem to be inhabited by any animals. The only sounds that could be heard were the swishing of the treetops as they brushed against each other in the light breeze, and the river, as it gurgled and rolled gently over the rocks that lined it’s bed. In the fading light, Daniel and Sam set up camp while Teal’c and Jack established a perimeter around it.

An hour later, they had managed to prepare a halfway decent meal from part of the rations they had brought. Settled in around the fire, Jack spoke up. “So, what’s on the agenda for tomorrow kids?”

Daniel looked around him in the darkness. “Well, I’d like to get a better look at the area around us. Maybe if we climb up one of the surrounding mountains, we can get a better idea if there is any sign of civilization.”

Teal’c spoke up. “That would be wise. If there are any civilizations established, they would most likely not be far from the Stargate.”

Jack groaned. “Yeah, well you two can have fun with that. Personally, the old knees are acting up. Maybe I’ll just stick around with Carter and collect soil samples.” Looking over at Sam, he could see she was once again lost in thought, her eyes captured by the dancing flames. “How ‘bout it Carter? Are you up for a research assistant?” Still without a response, he raised his voice. “Earth to Carter, come in!”

Sam jumped as her brain recognized her name. Looking up at Jack, she could see the concern in his face. Trying to give him a smile, she sat up a little straighter. “Sorry, Sir, what was that?”

Jack gave her a little frown. “Mineral samples. I’m going to help you collect them. Sound good?”

Sam nodded. “Sounds fine, Sir.” Feeling her teammates eyes on her, she got up and reached for the plates. “I’ll go wash these out in the river.”

Watching her walk away, Jack could feel his heart being to pound in worry again. Furrowing his brow, he decided that he would have to try and find some time to talk to her, tonight.

Daniel finally broke the silence. “Do you think everything’s okay with her? She usually isn’t this distracted.”

Teal’c nodded in agreement. “Indeed. I too sense a change in Major Carter.”

Jack poked at the ground with a stick. “She said she’s been doing a lot of projects in the lab. Maybe there’s actually a limit to the amount of time she can spend in there.”

Daniel looked over at him. “I’m being serious, Jack.”

Jack looked up at him, irritation in his face. “So am I.” Sighing, he stood up. “Look, why don’t we let her get some rest. Daniel, you and I will take first watch.” Moving in the direction Sam had gone, Jack stopped and turned around. “And unless either of you have any objections, I say we let her sleep the whole night through. I can pull a double if I need to.”

Teal’c immediately spoke up. “That will not be necessary, O’Neill. I can take watch on my own. My symbiote helps to give my senses sharper abilities. Covering this area on my own will not be a problem.”

Daniel nodded. “Sounds fine to me.”

“Alright,” Jack said. “Oh, and Daniel, let’s try to keep this agreement to ourselves, okay?”

Daniel rolled his eyes. “Jack, give me a little credit.”

Jack shrugged as he moved off towards the river. “Okay, I’m feeling generous. But just a little.” Smirking, he knew Daniel was probably flipping him off as he walked away. But as he neared the river and found Sam at its banks, his smile faded as he approached, replaced by a look of concern.

Sam sat by the river’s edge, her eyes lost in the darkness around her. The only source of light came from their campsite a few hundred feet behind her, the firelight creating shadows all around her. She was lost in thought again, oblivious to Jack’s approach. She was pregnant. Even after the few weeks that had gone by, she still didn’t know what to do or think. She had wanted to tell Jack immediately, but as he recovered from being trapped in space, she had managed to bury herself in projects. And then there were the missions and all the paperwork that each of them always left in their wake. She and Jack had had only a few precious moments together, and the last thing she wanted to do was fill those moments with worry. So here she sat, carrying their child, and trying to interpret the whispers that were coming from her heart. Allowing a silent tear to slip down her cheek, she closed her eyes and listened to her surroundings.

At the sound of a twig snapping, Sam jumped. Quickly wiping away the tear, she turned around and found Jack approaching her position. Giving him a small smile, she turned back around and waited for him.

Jack came to a stop next to her and squatted down. “Hey stranger. What’s up?”

Sam looked over at him and tried to give him her best smile. “Hey. Not much, just enjoying the peace I guess.”

After a moment, Jack continued. “Sam, this is me. You don’t have to hide in the shadows. I can see that something is wrong. So can Daniel and Teal’c. I played it off as you being tired, but I think there’s a lot more to it.”

Sam didn’t know what to say. This wasn’t the time or place to tell him she was carrying his child. Searching for an excuse, she carefully reached over for his hand. “I just miss you. I almost lost you out there in space. I don’t know what I would have done if that had happened. Plus, we’ve hardly seen each other outside of the base.” Laughing softly to herself, she continued. “I’ve always thought of myself as incredibly independent, someone who can always survive on her own. But I guess I’m now a lot more dependent on you than I ever thought I would be.”

Looking behind him to make sure Daniel and Teal’c were not watching, Jack sat down and put his arm around her. Drawing her close, he closed his eyes as she rested her head on his chest. “I’m sorry. I hate being apart from you just as much, but what can we do?” Kissing the top of her head, Jack looked ahead of him in thought. “I could retire.”

Sam sat up and looked at him. Here was the easiest solution to their problem, the answer she’d been searching for. But hearing him say the words, she could tell he didn’t really want to. Reaching out, she touched his face and smiled. “Jack, you and I both know you’re not ready for that. Besides, there’s still too many Goa’uld who need their butt kicked by Colonel Jack O’Neill.” Sighing, she reached for his hand again and went on. “One day. One day you’ll know when you’re suppose to do that. But until that time, we’ll just have to make this work as best we can.”

Looking behind her briefly, she looked back at him. “Now, we’d better get back to Daniel and Teal’c before they come looking for us.”

Jack nodded and helped Sam to her feet. Walking back towards the camp, he stopped her and placed a gentle kiss on her lips.

Sam, breathless after every kiss he gave her, looked at him through a hazy vision. “What was that for?”

Jack smiled at her as he brushed a small strand of hair out of her face. “For sweet dreams. Daniel and I are up first for watch. You need to get some rest. That’s an order.”

Sam smiled, ready and very willing to take his order. “Yes, Sir.” Starting back again, they stayed close to each other as the light from the camp grew in intensity.

“Balesk, please! You know I can’t stay!” Jolinar’s voice pleaded with him as she made her way towards the Chap’ai. Time was running out, and she had to get back to the Tok’ra base. She had attempted to leave the security of the castle walls before dawn, but Balesk had sensed something was up, and was waiting for her at the castle gates.

Balesk reached for her hand. “Please, Jolinar, stay. I can protect you!”

Jolinar looked down at their hands intertwined and gave him a sad smile. “You cannot protect me from what hunts me. The Ashrack will find me. It is all he knows, all he’s trained to know. I will not stay and put you in harm’s way.” Hesitating, she went on, her thoughts moving to Martouf. “Besides, I have to get back to my people. They need me.”

Releasing his hand, she started out again for the Stargate. After a while, they reached the clearing of the forest. The Chap’ai loomed in the distance, it’s great ring a fixture on the horizon. Turning around, Jolinar faced Balesk. “You must not go any further. There is no telling if the Ashrack has come through the Chap’ai.”

Balesk’s eyes pleaded with her. “But I am practically alone here. My only companions are the few servants that I have left. Please don’t leave me. These last few weeks, with you here, have been some of the happiest. Ever since I found you by the great ring, it has been nothing but happy days.”

Jolinar smiled at him as she reached out and touched his face. “Balesk, it is because of you and your healing skills that I live. If you had not found me when you did, I would have surely been dead. But I have to go. The enemy I spoke of…I need to get the information on them that I obtained back to my people. Hopefully it will help us in destroying them.”

Balesk only nodded silently. Looking down at the ground, he spoke barely above a whisper. “Will you come back?”

Jolinar nodded. “I will return for you as soon as it is safe. Then you can join my people if that is what you wish.”

Balesk looked up and smiled at her. “It is my greatest wish.” Reaching a hand out, he touched her cheek. “Be safe. I will wait for your return.”

Jolinar nodded. “Thank you.” And with that, she turned around and started to run for the Chap’ai. Keeping her eye focused on the horizon ahead of her, she stopped momentarily and glanced behind her. She was far enough away that she could now only make out his form. Raising a hand, she turned back around and started to run again.

Reaching the dialing device, she began to punch in the coordinates to the world where she was to meet Martouf. But halfway through dialing, she sensed a movement in some bushes not far off. Sensing danger, she continued dialing, but punched in a different set of coordinates than what she had originally started with. She couldn’t put Martouf’s life in danger. Hitting the last symbol, she waited for the wormhole to engage. As it did, it’s bright pool of bluish-white light punching out towards her, she turned to her side in time to see her greatest fear running towards her. The Ashrack. Without a weapon to defend herself, she ducked one of his shots. Just as she was about to reach the wormhole, a blast from his hand device sent her spiraling into the wormhole. Moments later, she flew out of the other side of the Chap’ai, her body hitting the ground with a tremendous force. Her body in pain and shock, she forced herself to get up. She knew he would be behind her. He was always behind her. She could never escape him. Running with everything she had left, she could see a man in the distance, looking on in bewilderment.

She had no choice. It was the only way to ensure her survival and the information she carried. She only hoped that her new host would understand in time. Not wasting any more thought on it for fear that she couldn’t do it, Jolinar reached the man and pulled him into a kiss. Moments later, the surprise and pain in her new host’s face filled her mind as his screams filled her with regret. And then they were both screaming, crying out for what they had both just lost…

Sam woke herself up screaming, terror running through her mind as she tried to focus on her surroundings. Her face was drenched in sweat, her hands shaking as she tried to catch her breath. Moments later, the tent flap flew open and Jack and Teal’c rushed in, guns at the ready.

Jack looked around, assessing the room for danger. He was about to join Daniel in dreamland when Sam’s scream had raked his body to its very core. His heart was still pounding as he relaxed the hold on his gun and moved over to her. Approaching her carefully, he squatted down next to her, concern evident on his face. Teal’c stood behind him, his expression equaling the emotion. “Carter, are you okay?”

Sam was still trying to keep her body from shaking. Letting out a breath, she looked over at them. “I will be.” Her voice was barely a whisper, shaking as bad as her hands.

Jack reached out and put a hand on her shoulder. “That must have been some nightmare.”

Sam only stared ahead of her. The darkness seemed to be swirling around her, memories of what she had just experienced still fresh in her mind. “It wasn’t a nightmare, Sir. It was another one of Jolinar’s memories. I saw the moment she switched hosts. I felt her fear, his pain. God, it was aweful. It was like Jolinar was taking over my body all over again.” She proceeded to explain the rest of her vision to them, describing the conversation between Balesk and Jolinar as best she could.

When she was finished, Jack scrunched his brow in confusion. “What does this vision have to do with anything?” As he said this, he made a secret fist, his dislike of the Tok’ra reaffirmed by this latest act. Even in death, Jolinar still wouldn’t leave Sam alone. He hated to see her being caused such pain by something she only carried for a short time. Why, why couldn’t it have been him? He had almost lost Sam thanks to Jolinar, and the memory of that pain was bad enough. But the subsequent memories of pain and suffering that Sam had to endure were taking their toll. Jack didn’t know how many more screams he could take before he lost it. He was afraid if it came down to that, some poor innocent Tok’ra would be on the opposite end of his revenge.

Sam looked over at Jack and Teal’c, a look of understanding on her face. “It means everything, Sir. This is the planet where Balesk lives. And I know the way to his castle. We have to go there. I owe it to Jolinar.”

Jack couldn’t believe his ears. “What do you mean you owe it to Jolinar? She practically killed you, and to top it all off, she’s left with a nice little gift-wrapped package of painful memories for you to carry with you.”

Sam just shook her head. “No, Sir, she didn’t practically kill me. She gave her life to save mine. What about that don’t you understand?”

Jack stood up, a look of disbelief in his face. “What don’t I understand? I don’t understand why you feel this obligation to her! You never invited her to share your body, and now your suffering because of it!” Jack blew out a breath. He could see that she was still visibly upset by her dream, and this wasn’t helping. “Look, I’m sorry, but you know how I feel about the Tok’ra.”

Sam nodded. “I know. It’s just…I need to do this. You don’t know…you didn’t see the look on this guy’s face. There was so much hope that she’d return. But she was forced to change hosts, selecting the first person she saw, and he turned out to be the one that I tried to resuscitate. I just want to let him know that she didn’t purposely forget him.”

Teal’c spoke up for the first time, his voice making Sam jump slightly. “And you know where this castle is, Major Carter?”

Sam looked up at him and nodded. “Yes. We’re already headed in the right direction. If we leave at daybreak, we should reach it by midday. It should be visible over the top of the ridge.”

Teal’c bowed his head in acknowledgment. Knowing that Colonel O’Neill would want some time alone with Major Carter, he found an excuse to make a quiet exit. “Then I will resume my watch until we are ready to depart.” Not waiting to be dismissed, he left the tent and walked away, giving them the privacy they needed. He didn’t fear Daniel awakening. If Major Carter’s scream had not awakened him, then he was surely sleeping well in his own dreams.

Jack looked in the direction Teal’c had just gone. It was amazing to him how his friend always seemed to know the right time to make an exit. He was grateful for that. Looking back at Sam, his heart went out to her. She sat hugging her body tightly as a silent tear began rolling down her cheek. Putting his gun down, he knelt down beside her. “Com’ here.”

Pulling her into his arms, he felt her body relax against his as he stroked her back. He could feel her still shaking, so he tightened his hold on her, kissing the top of her head. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to get so defensive. It’s just…well, whenever Jolinar is brought up, I tend to relive that moment in the infirmary when you almost died. Your heart had stopped, and in that moment, mine did as well. I just can’t imagine my life without you.”

Sam sniffed as she wiped away some of her tears. “I know and I understand. I would feel the same way if I’d been in your shoes. But I know that if I don’t do this, I’ll regret it. It’s almost as if my dream was meant to be…as if Jolinar was trying to ask me to do this.”

Jack sighed. “I know.” Pulling back, he held her face between his hands and looked into her eyes. “Are you okay?”

Sam smiled at him. “I will be. It was just so real, all of it. I never wanted to experience a blending again, but I did. God, the pain was terrible. She really didn’t have a choice, Jack. I understand that now.”

Jack placed a soothing kiss on her lips. Pulling back, he smiled softly at her. “I can’t even imagine what you went through, and I hate the fact that she ever put you through it in the first place. But I’m willing to try and move past it if you are.” Looking at the tent flap, he continued. “I’ll tell Teal’c I’m going to stay in here in case you have anymore nightmares. I don’t think he’ll suspect anything. Daniel must be out of it, so there’s no worries there. I want you to lie down and relax. I’ll be right back.”

Sam smiled at him and nodded. Lying down, she watched him go. Closing her eyes, she started to drift off when she heard Jack return and move in beside her. Grateful to have him close, she allowed herself to fall into a sleep that was much more peaceful than the first.

By midday the next day, they reached the ridge that allowed them access to a view that expanded in all directions. Mountain ranges could be seen in all directions, covered from peak to base in trees dressed in a rich summer green. It seemed strange to them since on Earth, the end of October was approaching, and the trees there were almost bare of leaves. The few that still had some wore an array of fall colors, which had become crisp in the briskness of the coming winter wind. But on this planet, the sun shone brightly, warming their skin to the point of perspiration. And nestled among all of this in a valley not far below them was a castle, small by comparison to some, but grand enough to have its name justified.

Two hours later, they were standing at its gates. The gates were slightly rusted and stood unlocked. Pushing one of them open, they made there way inside to the courtyard. It was easy to see that the castle at one point had been grand. But a few years of neglect were beginning to take its toll. Ivy and various plants snaked their way over the grey stonewalls and terraces, crumbling some and cracking others. Rundown stables could be seen in one corner of the courtyard, and a fountain stood in the middle, dry of water and covered partly in mold from the standing water at its base. On the opposite side of where they had entered, a small flight of stone stairs directed them to what they could only assume was the main entrance.

Moving up them, Jack pushed opened the doors. Guns at the ready, they moved inside, their steps echoing off the walls and large vaulted ceilings. It was a great entrance hall, and on the surrounding walls hung great tapestries, tattered and faded from time. Only a few chairs sat throughout the hall, while old swords and shields hung from a far wall in front of them.

As they moved, Jack looked over at Sam. “Maybe this guy’s no longer here. Who knows what could have happened between the time Jolinar left him and now.”

Daniel moved over to an ancient-looking sculpture. “Well, there definitely had to be a civilization here at one time. This stuff is really old. Not quite Midevil, but definitely close to that time period.” Looking over at Sam, he continued. “And you said one guy lived here?”

Sam nodded. “Yes, with maybe just a few others. But it looks like he may not anymore.”

Jack shrugged. “Well, there’s one way to find out. H-E-L-L-O!!!”

Daniel cringed as Jack’s voice echoed off the walls. “Jack, do you really think you should do that? We don’t know who or what could be living here.”

Jack responded. “Oh please! Come on, Daniel. Do you see a sarcophagus, or a pyramid, or Jaffa, or anything that would lead you to believe that there are Goa’uld here? It’s an old rundown castle for cryin’ out loud!”

Just then, a deep, unfamiliar voice penetrated the air. “Who are you?”

Whipping around in the direction that it had come from, they all relaxed the hold on their weapons when they saw only one unarmed man. He was dressed in simple clothes, poor by comparison to some. His pants were tattered and his shirt torn, and he appeared to have let his appearance go. His hair was long, down to his shoulders. But it was thick and dark brown, mimicking the color of his eyes. His skin was tan from the sun, and through he appeared to be slumped over, they could see that he had at one time been a tall and strong man. But his face echoed the years of hardship and obvious loneliness in the shadows worn around his eyes.

Jack cleared his voice and tried to smile. “Ah, howdy! I’m Colonel Jack O’Neill, this is Carter, that’s Teal’c, and this is Daniel. And you are…”

The man responded with a flat, bitter tone. “Why are you here?”

Jack raised his eyebrows. “Okay, tough crowd.”

“You are not welcome here. You can leave the same way you came.” As the man turned and started to walk away, he stopped at the sound of Sam’s voice.

“Balesk?” Sam held her breath as the man stopped and slowly turned around. He had looked different in her memories, more alive, but he had the same eyes.

Balesk looked at Sam’s, his eyes squinting slightly. “How do you know my name? I don’t know you!”

Sam gave Jack a look before continuing. “I realize that. But I knew someone who did. Her name was Jolinar of Nalksire.”

At the mention of Jolinar’s name, Balesk suddenly rose up two more inches and moved over within a foot of Sam in three long strides. Jack aimed his gun at him and Teal’c followed his lead with his staff weapon. “Easy there, Spanky.”

Balesk stopped moving but never took his eyes off Sam. His voice went from soft and uncaring to demanding. “Tell me! Where is Jolinar?”

Sam looked up at the man towering above her. Finding her voice, she went on. “I’m sorry…but Jolinar is dead. She died saving my life.”

As Sam’s words registered in his ears, he took a few steps back. Disbelief in his face, he began to shake his head, a crazed look of grief forming in his eyes. “No, it can’t be true.” Looking straight at Sam, he surged forward and grabbed her by the arms, holding on tight. “You lie! Why do you lie?”

Jack had his finger on the trigger. “Alright, let her go, NOW!”

Daniel could see Jack was ready to shoot. “Please, she’s telling you the truth. You have to believe us. Just let her go.”

Balesk looked over at Daniel, then at Jack, and finally back to Sam. Releasing her, he moved away. He could see it in their faces that they were telling the truth. Grief and anger clenching his body at the same time, he ran for the nearest wall, punching his fist into it and crying out. “Jolinar!” Letting his body collapse to the ground, he began to weep, his voice fading in and out between sobs. “Why her? Why!”

Giving Jack an indication that it was alright, she slowly moved over to Balesk and squatted down to his level. Lowering her voice, it sounded hollow next to his despair. “I’m so sorry. We didn’t mean to upset you so much.” When he didn’t respond or look up, she stood up, searching for the right words. “We’ll be outside for awhile. If you want to talk, we’ll try our best to answer your questions. If not, we’ll leave.” With that said, she headed for the door.

As Jack started to follow, Daniel began to protest. “Jack, we can’t just leave. There are too many questions…”

Jack pulled on his vest, interrupting him. “That can wait for later. Move it, Daniel.”

Under protest, Daniel followed Teal’c out, with Jack taking up the rear. As he closed the door, he could still hear the quiet sobs coming from Balesk. Walking over to Sam who sat on the edge of the fountain, he put on his sunglasses as he spoke up. “You okay?”

Sam simply nodded. “Yeah, I’m fine. I guess I didn’t realize the extent of his feelings for Jolinar. All I knew was of her feelings for Martouf. I hadn’t realized that she cared for someone else.”

Teal’c spoke up. “Perhaps she didn’t. But he certain appears to have cared about her. From what you described in your dream, Major Carter, Balesk had strong feelings for her.”

Jack sighed. “Well, now what? How long do we wait?”

Sam looked at the closed doors. “Let’s give him a few hours. Maybe by then he’ll be ready to talk.”

An hour later, they had climbed a set of stairs and were viewing the surrounding mountains from one of the towers when they heard his voice behind them. “Beautiful, isn’t it? I always like to come up here to find peace. Though I fear now, I will never find it again.”

They had turned around and watched silently as Balesk slipped past them and allowed his eyes to settle over the familiar view before him. His voice soft, he continued. “Jolinar loved it up here, in the short time she was with me. We always liked to watch the sunset together.” Turning to them, he lowered his eyes. “Forgive my earlier behavior. It’s just that I’d been losing hope of ever seeing her again, and then you came, only to tell me I never would.”

Sam spoke up. “We understand. I didn’t mean to deliver such a shock to your system.”

Balesk cleared his throat. “I don’t have much in the way of food. I only have a few faithful servants left to help me here, but if you are hungry, I can offer you something.” Looking over at Sam, he softened his voice and eyes. “And I would like to hear what you know of Jolinar, if you could tell me. I need to know.”

Sam nodded. “Of course.” His eyes seemed to dig into her soul, searching for the knowledge they were looking for.

Two hours later, they all sat around a great oak table, it’s dark stained wood a shining fixture against the cold grey of the stone floor. SG-1 had informed them of where they came from and had told Balesk brief about Earth. They in turn had learned that he had been born here. His parents had lived here, along with a multitude of servants. There had also been a town, once populated and full of life. But all had become extinct when devastation had reigned from the skies one black, fateful day. He had only been a young boy. His parents hid him once the fire began falling from the sky, and when all had become still again, he had climbed out of his hiding place only to find his parents dead, along with most of the townspeople. In their places was a great army of soldiers, dressed in armor that looked like walking snakeheads. For years after that, he watched from secret hiding places as this great army established themselves around the castle, all of them loyal to one man.

But then one day, years later, the great army left, leaving nothing behind. “I only assumed they were going to war. They left in great ships and floated to the sky. I waited each day for them to return, determined to find a way to face them. But they never returned. Eventually, I moved on, doing my best to make a home for myself. I only had two younger friends with me, children of one of the servants that had worked here. We learned to survive, becoming familiar with every inch of the surrounding forests.”

Daniel spoke up at Balesk’s hesitation. “So there’s no one left on this world except for the three of you.”

Balesk nodded. “Yes. That is why it was such a joy when I met Jolinar.”

Sam spoke up. “How did you meet her?”

Balesk looked over at Sam. “I was walking one day by the great circle and discovered her at its base, bloodied and unconscious. I carried her all the way back here, caring for her injuries as best I could. Without proper medical supplies, I couldn’t do much. Her injuries appeared to be extensive, as if she’d been in a war, or trying to escape one. But miraculously, she healed fairly quickly. It was during that time that I came to know her, and…to fall in love with her. When she left, she promised to return for me, claiming that she needed to wait until it was safe to do so. And so I waited. And now, here you are.” His voice faded out, grief touching it.

Sam looked over at Jack. He seemed to be reading her thoughts because he nodded his approval. “Balesk, how much do you know of the great army that invaded your world?”

Balesk looked at her. “Nothing.”

So Sam began to tell him about the Goa’uld, with each of them contributing to the story. Balesk just sat there in stunned disbelief that such creatures existed. But the hardest part came when they gently informed him that Jolinar had been one of them, only with different beliefs. At first, he refused to believe it. But the more they explained it, the more he came to deal with it. Sam explained how she had carried Jolinar for a short time, and how Jolinar had died saving her life, and that it were her memories that had led them here.

Balesk sat there trying to digest everything that he was hearing. Looking over at Sam, he suddenly had a twinkle of life in his eyes. “So, in a way, you are still Jolinar.”

Sam shook her head. “No. She died inside of me and my body absorbed…her.” It suddenly seemed extremely awkward talking about this to him.

Balesk reached out for her hand and took it. “But you have her memories. So, in a sense, you are her!”

Jack was ready to jump out of his chair and physically take his hand off Sam’s. He understood the guy was dealing with a lot, but he suddenly didn’t like the way Balesk was looking at Sam. It almost seemed to him that he was seeing Jolinar and not Sam. Jack was about to say something when Daniel spoke up.

“Balesk, you have to understand, there is nothing more than an imprint of Jolinar’s memories in Sam’s head. She can only remember bits and pieces of her life.” Daniel watched with relief as Balesk released her hand and slowly sat back.

Balesk continued to watch her. “I think I do understand.”

Sam watched him as he said this. Though the words had echoed from his mouth, she wasn’t convinced he believed it. His eyes seemed to be giving him away. Looking over at Jack, she gave him a small smile, suddenly wishing they could just leave.

Jack gave her a quick smile in return. He could see that she was just as unconvinced of Balesk’s understanding as he was. Breaking the silence, he cleared his throat. “Well, maybe it’s time for us to get some rest. We’ve got a long walk back home tomorrow. Balesk, if you don’t mind us staying here for the night, we would really appreciate it.”

Balesk looked over at Jack with a glint in his eyes. “Of course. But before I show you to your rooms, let us have a drink together to celebrate out meeting. I have some very old wine that should be quite flavorful. I was saving it for when Jolinar returned, but…I guess this is as good of a reason to. I will be right back.” As he was leaving the room, Teal’c spoke up.

“Balesk, you should know that I do not partake in the drinking of wine.”

Balesk turned around. “Well then, my friend, for you, I have a wonderful drink of sweetened tea, flavored from the sun. Will that do for you?”

Teal’c, not wanting to offend, nodded. “Indeed.”

“Wonderful.” And with that, Balesk left the room.

After he was out of earshot, Jack spoke up in a hushed whisper. “Carter, what do you think of this guy? Is he certifiable?”

Sam shook her head. “He’s going through so many emotions, it’s hard to tell if he really does understand. But I think the least we can do is give him the benefit of the doubt, for now.”

Teal’c’s voice carried with a little more weight. “I do not trust him. I have known no man to hide from the Goa’uld.”

Jack responded. “Yeah, what about that? How is that possible?”

Daniel adjusted his glasses. “Well, I suppose if he knew this area well enough as a boy and really stayed hidden, it could be possible.”

Jack shook his head. “I don’t believe it. Carter, Teal’c. Did either of you sense a snake in him?”

Sam replied with certainty. “No, Sir. He isn’t Goa’uld. Of that I’m positive.”

Daniel spoke up. “Well maybe we could stay a few days and get to know him better. Maybe he’ll be able to show us some of the old city ruins.”

Jack looked at Daniel. “For what? It was destroyed! Besides, we have to report back to Hammond in 36 hours, and I’m not walking all the way back here.”

Daniel rolled his eyes. “Well, if we can find some ruins, we might be able to find some clue as to who the Goa’uld was that reined here.”

Teal’c responded. “I agree with Daniel Jackson. It could help to know what system lord held rule here.”

Jack sat back in his chair. “Am I the only one who thinks this guy has got a screw loose? He seems to be obsessed with Jolinar, and unless I’m wrong, he still believes that she’s alive…in Sam!”

Sam was about to reply when Balesk returned with a tray and five glasses, four filled with a rich burgundy wine, and one with tea. Distributing the drinks, Balesk proceeded to raise his glass in a toast. “To each of you. May this be the start of a prosperous friendship between us.” With that, he took a drink from his glass and everyone else followed suit.

Ten minutes later, they had almost finished their drinks and were beginning to get tired. Jack spoke up, his voice sounding funny to him. “Well, Balesk, it’s been great, but I think we need to call it a night.” With that, he, Daniel and Teal’c all stood up. The room suddenly began to spin wildly and before he knew it, everything went black.

Sam watched through a hazy vision as Jack, Teal’c and Daniel collapsed to the floor. Staring at Balesk, she attempted to get up, reaching for her gun at the same time. But as she did, the room spun out of control and her legs gave out. Yet instead of hitting the floor, she felt Balesk’s arms wrap around her, catching her. Looking at him, the room growing steadily darker, she managed to utter a few words. “You drugged us. Why?”

Balesk’s smile faded in and out. And just before the darkness consumed her, his words floated to her ears. “It doesn’t matter now. You’re home, Jolinar, home to stay.”

Jack’s eyes slowly opened. His head was pounding to the point of exploding and his body felt like it had been drug seven miles. As his eyes attempted to adjust to the dim lighting, he rolled over onto his back and grabbed his head, hoping that applying pressure would alleviate some of the pain.

Slowly sitting up, he leaned his back against a cold and damp stony wall. Again trying to focus, he called out. “Carter?” When no response came, he tried again. “Teal’c, Daniel?”

A familiar voice suddenly sounded out of the darkness. “I am here, O’Neill.” It was Teal’c.

“Ah, yeah, I’m here too,” Daniel replied, obviously still just as disoriented as Jack. “Where are we?”

Jack could feel his headache slowly decreasing in pain. Looking up and around him, the darkness still concealing most of their surroundings, Jack shrugged. “That would be the question of the day.”

Daniel cleared his voice. “Sam? Are you here?”

Teal’c responded. “She is not here. I awakened a lot sooner than either of you, possibly due to my symbiote. I searched the cell, but only found the two of you.”

Jack didn’t like where this was going. “Cell?”

Teal’c nodded. “Indeed. I believe that we are under Balesk’s castle, in what I believe you refer to as dungeons.”

Daniel adjusted his glasses, squinting as he tried to orientate himself around the cell. “Well where is Sam?”

Teal’c was silent for a moment before responding. “It is my belief that she is being held by Balesk in the castle. I have concluded that he most likely refuses to accept Jolinar’s death, and instead, now views Major Carter as Jolinar herself.”

Jack wanted to scream. “Dammit! Why did I allow myself to let my guard down? The guy’s an obvious psychopath. And now he thinks Carter is Jolinar!” Moving forward, he ran into the bars keeping them in their cell. Ramming his hand up against it, he called out as loudly as he could. “B-A-L-E-S-K!!”

Daniel and Teal’c both stood. Daniel reached Jack first and came to stand beside him. “Jack, what good is yelling going to do?”

Jack curled his fingers around the bars until his knuckles were white. “Not now, Daniel. Who knows what that guy’s is doing to Carter. I’m not going to just sit back and wait until he decides to pay us a visit. By then it might be too late. Hell! Who knows if he’ll even come down here.”

Daniel tried to keep his voice calm. “If Balesk thinks Sam’s Jolinar, it’s a safe bet to assume that he won’t hurt her.”

Teal’c, who had been moving around the cell, trying to find a way out, spoke up. “That may not be true, Daniel Jackson. If Major Carter decides not to play into his illusions, she could be in grave danger.”

Jack was beginning to feel like a caged animal. He had to get out. He had to get to her, to protect her. He called out again. “Balesk, you coward! Get down here, now!” But the only response he received were his own echoes off the walls and hallways around them. Turning around in frustration, he could see that his eyes had adjusted to the lighting around them. The only light that they could see by was coming from a nearby torch in an adjoining hallway. As Jack began to pace the cell, he could now see that it wasn’t very big. Hay lined the floor, covering some parts more generously than others. There were no windows; only cold, hard stone walls that were enclosed by the metal bars keeping them in. Water could be heard dripping somewhere nearby, it’s sound echoing off the walls, making their surroundings that much more ominous. The floors and walls all held a dampness that had provided the right environment for various molds to grow on them. And as Jack looked back out into the hallway, a fat rat scurried past them, not even giving them a second thought.

Daniel jumped back. “Aahh! I hate rats!”

Jack looked over at Daniel. “Oh, please! You mean to tell me that you’re afraid of a little rat, but you’ll fight the Goa’uld anytime?”

Daniel just looked at Jack. “Do you know how many diseases those things carry? Not to mention the fact the fact that they are hairy, with sharp teeth, beady eyes, and a long, ugly tail.”

Jack looked back out into the hallway. “Sounds like you just described our guest.” Silently looking around for a moment, he continued. “There has to be a way out of here.”

Suddenly, a voice appeared out of the darkness. “There is not. These cells were made to hold anything that might become a threat.” Stepping out of the darkness, a man appeared before them holding a tray. “I am Saltor. I have brought you something to eat. My master does not wish of you to starve.”

Daniel spoke up. “Saltor, are you one of the friends that Balesk mentioned, the ones who grew up with him?”

Saltor nodded. “I am. Actually, I am the only one left. Our friend Falknor was killed accidentally a week ago while making some repairs to this castle. I’m afraid Balesk has yet to accept his death.”

Jack snorted. “Yeah, well Balesk has a problem accepting reality in general. You have to let us out of here. He thinks the woman who came with us is his lost love. But she’s not, and I’m not going to stand by and let him play in fantasyland.”

Saltor just shook his head. “I’m sorry, but I cannot let you out. Balesk has been heartbroken for so long. Rather or not this woman is the one he’s been seeking, it is not my place to disrupt his happiness.”

Jack grabbed onto the bars. “Well, I’ll disrupt it then. Come on, Saltor! Look around you! You’re master is living in a dead world.”

Daniel knew where Jack was going. “He’s right. Let us out and we can take you with us, to our world, full of people like you. We can show you things you never imagined were possible.”

Teal’c spoke up. “He speaks the truth. I too came from another world to theirs, and it is now my home.”

Saltor seemed hesitant for a moment. “You lie. There is no such place. How would you get there?”

Daniel replied. “You go through the Stargate….the Chap’ai. It is the great circle that sits on the horizon not far from here. Please, you have to believe us.”

Saltor took a step back. “That is where my master said that his Jolinar disappeared through. How is this possible? Can it really be true?”

Jack was becoming impatient. “It is!” Taking a breath, he continued. “Look, Saltor, you have to let us out of here. I promise you that the woman up there is not Jolinar. She’s dead. I watched her die myself. Major Carter is not going to sit back and pretend to be Jolinar. And since your friend is a few marbles short, how do you think he’s going to react to that?”

Saltor spoke in a softer tone, obviously considering what they were saying. “He would be very hurt, very angry.”

Jack could feel the urgency of the situation intensifying. “Then open this door!”

Sam paced back and forth in the bedchamber. When she had awoken, she had found herself locked in there. The door was incredibly heavy, and the lock was nothing she could easily pick. There was only one small window, high on the wall and not big enough for anyone bigger than a small child to fit through. She had called out several times, but no one had responded. She was just about to do it again when the door suddenly opened.

Balesk stepped through with a tray of food and shut the door behind him. He smiled at her as he put the tray down. Moving forward slowly, he spoke up. “Jolinar. It is good to see you awake. I brought you something to eat…”

Sam gave him a hateful look. “Dammit, Balesk, I am NOT Jolinar! Why can’t you understand that!”

Balesk just shook his head. “You are her, you have to be. Please, you can stop pretending. Your friends are not here anymore.”

Sam felt her heart jump in fear. “What do you mean? Where are they? What did you do with them?”

Balesk smiled at her again. “Fear not, my love. They are safe. But they will not be able to disturb us. Perhaps in time, we can let them out and go home. Until then, they will be well cared for.”

Sam wanted to pull her hair out in frustration. But she knew she had to find a way to convince Balesk that she was telling him the truth. Taking a breath, she continued, her voice a bit softer than before. “Balesk, please! What can I do to convince you that I am not Jolinar?” She had to find a way to convince him. Jack, Daniel and Teal’c needed her help. She knew that this man wasn’t evil, just heartbroken to the point of being disillusioned.

Balesk studied her for a moment, her eyes pleading with him. He searched them for any trace of resemblance to Jolinar. He had spent so much time looking into them. But as hard as he looked, he began to realize that this woman didn’t carry the same sparkle that Jolinar did. His mind didn’t want to face the reality his heart was beginning to accept.

Giving Sam a hard look, he responded in a harsher tone. “You say she died for you, but how am I to believe that? How do I know you did not kill her yourself!” Surging forward, he grabbed her wrist and squeezed it tightly. “Tell me the truth!”

Sam tried to yank her hand free, but found he had a death grip on it. Knowing she had to stay calm, she answered him as best she could. “I am telling you the truth! Jolinar died inside of me, saving my life. Isn’t there anything that I can do to help you believe that?”

Balesk released her wrist and stepped back, his body shaking with anger and disbelief. “Then how is it that you have her memories? Her memories of me, of this place?”

Sam threw her hands forward. “I already told you that. I don’t have all of her memories. And even if I do, I don’t have access to them. They only come to me in the form of dreams and visions. I can’t control when I get them. The only reason I got the ones I did of this place was most likely due to being on this planet. “Please, you have to believe me!”

Balesk hesitated for a moment. The silence in the room was deafening. “There is one way I can tell if you are telling me the truth or not.”

Sam felt a surge of hope. “What is it? I’ll do anything.”

Balesk looked at her, his voice a more normal tone. “I have some kind of ability that I can’t explain. I’ve had it my whole life. I am able to read minds, see peoples thoughts.”

Sam gave him a stunned look. “Why didn’t you just use that ability when you began to question us and who we were?”

Balesk gave her a sad smile. “I don’t like to use it. It causes me great pain, headaches, that will sometimes last for days. But eventually the pain goes away.”

Sam looked down. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize that.”

Balesk took a step closer. “Are you willing to let me do it?”

Sam looked up in surprise. “Are you willing to go through the pain, emotionally and physically?”

Balesk winced. “My heart has already begun to believe that Jolinar is truly….lost to me. But my mind will never be convinced unless I can see for myself. But you must know that I will have access to all of your thoughts, all of you memories. Are you willing to let me do that?”

Sam knew she should let him, especially with the secrets of the SGC and of her relationship with Jack, but she didn’t see Balesk as a real threat. Despite the fact that he had drugged them and had them locked up, her instincts were telling her that he was not evil. But she had to save her friends, and she would do anything to make that happen. “Yes, I am willing.”

Balesk nodded. Without a word, he took her hand and led her to a chair. Sitting her down, he placed his hands on either side of her head.

Sam took a breath. “Um, is this going to hurt?”

Balesk nodded, his eyes looking into hers. “Not for you. Just relax.” He closed his eyes. A moment later, his body jolted, his eyes rolling underneath his eyelids. Sam watched him as his face became a canvas of emotions. A tear suddenly escaped his right eye and steamed down his face. His lips began to quiver and Jolinar’s name escaped them. Suddenly crying out in pain, he jumped back, releasing her, and fell to his knees, his hands covering his face.

Sam didn’t know what to do. Getting up, she moved over to him and knelt down, placing a hand gently on his back. Startled, he looked up at her, the pain in his eyes evident. “Balesk, I’m so sorry.”

Balesk gave her a small nod as tears now freely ran down his face. “There was another, one she loved more than me. A Martouf? She left me to return to him, and then she…died, in you.” Covering his face, he began to weep.

Sam’s heart went out to him. Not sure what to do, she placed her arms around him. He collapsed into her chest, his body heaving with sobs. As she held him, she ran her hand over his back, attempting to soothe him.

After a few minutes, Balesk pulled his emotions together and sat back. Standing up to compose himself, he wiped at his face and then offered her a hand up. Taking it, Sam waited for him to say something. “I am sorry, Major Carter. I did not mean to put you through that. And I’m sorry that I didn’t believe you.”

Sam could tell he was trying to move forward. “I’m so sorry, Balesk. I should have told you about Martouf. I just…”

“It’s alright,” Balesk said, cutting her off. “I understand why you didn’t want me to know. And even though she loved him more than me, I know now for sure that she did hold feelings for me.” Looking at Sam, he tried to smile. “Forgive me for not believing you. I did not intend to harm you or your friends. Please, come with me, and I will release them. You are free to go home.”

Sam reached out a hand to him. “Balesk, how much did you see?”

Balesk turned and looked at her. “I did not see all of Jolinar’s memories, or yours. But I saw enough to help me believe.” Turning around, he started to walk towards the door again, but then stopped. “I know you are with child.” Turning around again to look at her, he reached out a hand and placed it on her stomach. “You should tell him. He loves you as much as you love him. And that love should get you through anything.” Hesitating, he continued. “If it is meant to be, it will be.”

Sam could see that he was now thinking of Jolinar. Not knowing what to say, she nodded at him. “Thank you. I will remember that.”

She watched as Balesk moved forward to the other side of the room. She was lost in thought, her mind focused on what he had just said. Holding the door open for her, she started across the room when suddenly four giant rings rose up from the ceiling, causing Sam to fall onto the ground with a thud. Before she had a chance to get up, two serpent guards were suddenly in front of her, their staff weapons pointed directly at her. Backing up against the wall, she quickly surveyed the room for Balesk but didn’t see him. She only hoped that since he had read her thoughts, he would know what had just happened and would go get the rest of her team.

Just as she was trying to find a way out of her situation, the serpent guards parted, and a Goa’uld stepped out from behind them. “Well, well, what have we here? And I was so hoping to be able to see you again. And here you are.”

Sam placed a defiant look on her face. “Sorry, but I can’t say the same.” Without warning, the Goa’uld reached out and slapped her across the face, forcing Sam to see stars as her cheek ached from where she had just been hit.

The Goa’uld locked eyes with Sam’s, giving her an evil grin. “Oh, you will be sorry, my dear. Of that, I can promise you.”

“Saltor, please, just unlock the door. You have to let us go. I don’t believe that you really agree with what Balesk is doing.” Daniel was trying to be patient. He knew Jack had run out of patience and was ready to tear the cell apart if he did get out.

Saltor set the tray of food down and looked at them. “How can I be sure that you won’t harm my master?”

Jack finally heard something he could work with. “We won’t. You’ll just have to trust us.” Seeing that Saltor was having a hard time with that, he moved closer, keeping his voice steady. “Look. We could have killed him a long time ago if that was our intention. But we didn’t.”

Saltor looked at Jack. “But Balesk did not hold you or your friend prisoner at that time either.”

Jack threw his hands up and looked at Daniel. “Well, I guess we know he at least has all his marbles. Daniel…do something!”

Daniel sighed. “Please Saltor, we realize…” Just then, an eerily familiar sound could be heard coming towards them. No one breathed or moved as the clank-clank of metal got louder and louder.

Jack’s heart began to race. “Saltor,” he said in the lowest whisper he could, “that is not good. Remember those snakeheads that invaded your world. Well, unless I’m really wrong, that’s them. You HAVE to open this door, NOW!”

Saltor nodded. Just as he was reaching for his keys, a staff blast came out of nowhere and hit him squarely in the chest. Letting out a cry, his body was thrown back as it slammed against the wall and fell into a heap on the floor. Jack, Daniel, and Teal’c moved silently back into the shadows, each of them holding their breath.

Three serpent guards suddenly appeared and stopped, looking into the darkened cell, their weapons at the ready. Jack’s chest was beginning to burn as his need to breathe became greater. Just when he thought he couldn’t hold it any longer, the guards moved on, their sound receding down the dark hallway. Carefully stepping out of the shadows, he looked at Saltor, their only hope now lying dead on the floor. “Well, that’s just great,” Jack said, keeping his voice to a whisper. “Now not only are we stuck in here, but we got Goa’uld running around! Any bright ideas?”

As if in answer to his question, Balesk suddenly appeared out of the shadows, stopping in his tracks at the sight of his dead friend. “Saltor,” he cried in a hushed tone. “Oh my dear friend! Why?”

Jack didn’t allow himself to feel too much sympathy. “I’ll tell you why! Because you locked us up in a cage and now you’ve got Goa’uld running the place. Now where’s Carter?! If you’ve hurt her, I swear to God…”

Balesk stood up and looked at him. “I am sorry for my behavior. I now know that she is not Jolinar.” Reaching down for the keys from Saltor’s belt, he put the key in the lock. “But I’m afraid she is in grave danger. We were on our way to release you when great rings appeared out of the ceiling and the Goa’uld were suddenly there. I couldn’t help her.”

Daniel’s ears perked up. “You know they are called the Goa’uld?”

Balesk quickly nodded as he finished unlocking the door. “Yes. This is not the time to tell you how, but I know what they are. We must hurry. I fear what she may do to Major Carter.”

Daniel looked at him. “She? You mean the Goa’uld?”

Balesk nodded. “Yes. I did not know that such an evil creature could be so beautiful.”

Daniel couldn’t breathe. “What did she look like?”

Balesk shrugged as he waited for them to exit the cell. “Thin, with red curly hair and dark eyes.”

“Sarah.” Daniel looked at Jack and Teal’c who were obviously confused. “It’s Sarah, or Oshiris. It’s the Goa’uld personality that took over my friend a few weeks ago. We have to try and save her, Jack!”

Jack was barely listening. His thoughts were only on Sam and what she must be going through. “Daniel, our first priority is to get Carter away from her. Then we’ll see what we can do. Now Balesk, we need our weapons.”

Balesk nodded. “This way.” As they followed him through the tunnels, moving as quickly but carefully as they could, Jack’s heart prayed that Sam would be alright. If she died, Balesk’s moment of insanity at refusing to accept Jolinar’s death would be a walk in the park compared to what Jack knew he would go through. He hoped with all his soul that it wouldn’t come to that.

Weapons in hand, the four of them found themselves five minutes later outside of the bedchamber. Hiding behind various pieces of furniture, Jack indicated for Teal’c to take out the two guards blocking the bedchamber door. Firing their Zats, Jack and Teal’c each caught one of the guards before they hit the ground, hoping that Oshiris hadn’t heard the commotion. When she didn’t appear, Jack and Balesk took one side of the door, while Daniel and Teal’c took the other.

Balesk moved closer to Jack, whispering to him. “Let me go in and distract her. She doesn’t know me, so she will most likely not kill me before she knows who I am.”

Jack looked at him. “Don’t be too sure on that.” But seeing no other option that wouldn’t get Sam killed, he nodded. “Alright, but be careful.”

Balesk nodded. “I will go in and get her attention. When you can get into the room, there is a large mirrored vanity you can hide behind.”

Just then, they heard Oshiris speak. “I grow tired of your insolence, Major Carter. Tell me! Where is the rest of your team? I know they’re here.”

Sam didn’t change her expression. She was still up against the wall, her head pounding from Oshiris using the hand device on her. “Go to hell!” And with that answer, Oshiris filled her head with more pain. Crying out, she collapsed onto the floor face first when Oshiris released her.

Suddenly, Balesk’s voice filled the room. “Leave her alone. Who are you and why have you entered my home?”

Oshiris turned around, surprised by the sound of his voice. “So many questions. Tell me, brave stranger, why I should just kill you now where you stand.”

Balesk tried to remain calm. Moving 90 degrees from his position, he forced Oshiris to move as well, giving Jack and the others opportunity to enter without being seen. Trying to keep her talking, he answered her. “This is my home, not yours. You are not welcome here.” He could see Sam getting up off the floor and begin to start approaching her. Trying to signal to her not to do it, his eyes deceived him.

Oshiris saw the look in his eyes and quickly remembered her earlier prisoner. Whipping around, she released a pulse blast from her hand device, sending Sam up against the wall with a hard thud. Watching as she crumpled into a heap on the floor, Balesk leaped forward. “No!” Grabbing Oshiris’s hand, he tried to restrain her.

Oshiris simply flung him off of her, sending him to the floor. “How dare you! You will pay for such insolence. Know this: your home is now mine.” As she raised her hand device, Jack suddenly yelled out. “Teal’c, NOW!”

Oshiris turned around in time to see Teal’c raise his staff weapon against her. Daniel emerged from his hiding place. “No! Sarah!” Teal’c released a blast from his staff weapon. Turning on her protective shield from the hand device, her laughter filled the room.

“Daniel Jackson! You and I have some unfinished business. Guards! Seize them!”

Jack, who had picked up Sam in his arms, froze as ten serpent guards suddenly filled the room. Finding himself at the end of two staff weapons, he slowly moved back up against the wall, holding an unconscious Sam tightly in his arms.

Oshiris’s laughter filled the air once more. “You are such fools. Did you really think you could stop me?” Looking over at Jack, still holding Sam, she moved over to him, running a finger down his cheek. “I don’t believe we’ve had the pleasure of meeting. You must be the great Colonel Jack O’Neill.”

Holding Sam as protectively as he could, he looked at her. “The only pleasure I’ll have is in killing you.” His voice was deadly serious, even surprising himself at the harshness of it.

Oshiris looked briefly down at Sam and then back to Jack. “Well, maybe I’ll just kill her first and let you and the rest of your friends watch.”

Jack gave her a defiant look. “You’ll have to kill me doing it.”

Oshiris smiled. “That can be arranged.” Raising her hand device at them, she directed a stream of energy into Jack’s head. Trying not to give into the pain, he fell to his knees. Suddenly, gunfire was heard inside the castle and the two serpent guards near the door went down.

Oshiris turned around in time to see more humans charging into the room. Crying out in frustration, she raised her hand device at both Sam and Jack, still on the floor, powering it to one hundred percent. As she released it, Balesk appeared out of nowhere. “NO!” Taking the blast into his own chest at close range, he flew back against the wall and collapsed in the middle of the circle on the floor.

Jack released Sam and stood up, picking up his gun and fired it at Oshiris. His bullets being blocked by the shield, he watched as she moved into the center of the ring circle where Balesk had fallen. Serpent guards all around her were falling dead thanks to the efforts of SG-3 and SG-9. Jack assumed that General Hammond had sent the teams after them when they had missed their planned communication.

Daniel watched as Oshiris prepared to activate the rings. “Sarah, please, fight her!”

Oshiris turned around. “Your friend is lost to you, Daniel Jackson. But we will meet again. You can be sure of that!” Activating the ring transporter, she disappeared, along with Balesk, leaving nothing behind but dead serpent guards.

Sam moaned and started to move. Jack bent down and placed a hand on her back, helping her to sit up. “Carter? You okay?”

Sam looked around at the scene before her. “What happened?”

Jack smiled at her. “That is a long story. I’ll tell you on the way back home. Do you think you can walk?”

Sam nodded. Getting to her feet, she looked at Jack. “Where’s Balesk?”

Jack’s smile faded. “I think he’s dead. He ran in front of a blast from Oshiris’s hand device that was meant for us. He fell in the middle of the ring transporter. Oshiris just took him with her.”

Sam felt sadness wash over her. “He just wanted to be loved.” Suddenly, her mind traveled to what had happened earlier. “Sir, we can’t just let her have him. What if she puts him in the sarcophagus?”

Jack just shook his head. “She’s already gone, Carter. I’m afraid there’s nothing we can do.”

Sam quickly replied. “You don’t understand. He read my mind. That was the only way I could convince him I was not Jolinar. I let him do it. I had to save the three of you.” She filled them in on what had happened.

Jack gave her a stern look. “You’re sure that he didn’t read all of your thoughts?”

Sam shrugged. “That’s what he said, but I can’t be for sure.”

Jack sighed. “Well, when we get back, we’ll just have to change our codes and hope for the best.” Not knowing what else to say, he put a hand on her shoulder. “You did the right thing, Carter. Don’t beat yourself up over it. Let’s go home.”

The night air was cold, filled with a brisk wind and the promise of snow. Sam got out the key Jack had given her and opened his front door. It was one in the morning. She had worked late after the debriefing and Janet’s examination. The baby appeared to be fine, as far as Janet could tell. Sam still felt guilty about Balesk, especially the knowledge he carried with him, if he was still alive. Working without a break, she had managed to change all of the codes and passwords that would give someone access to their gate. Jack had left her a note telling her that he was going home. She knew that was his way of letting her know that he hoped she would come over.

Exhausted to the point of not being able to sleep, she quietly changed out of her clothes and climbed into bed with Jack, curling up against him. He stirred and opened his eyes. “Hey. Are you okay?”

Sam just nodded. Her eyes searched his, wanting to lose herself in them. “I’m just really tired, and…I guess after what happened today, I just need to feel you close.”

Jack readjusted his position and pulled her to him, placing a kiss on her lips. Warming them with his own, he pulled back and caressed her cheek with his thumb. “I love you. I will always be here for you, you know that, right?”

Sam smiled, tears welling up in her eyes. “I know.” Her voice cracked as she said it. Bringing her head to his chest, she wrapped her arms around him and took a breath in.

Jack ran his hand over her head. “Are you sure you’re okay? I’m worried about you.”

Sam smiled, feeling his love. “I’m fine as long as I’m with you.” Thinking about the past few days, her mind landed on what Balesk had told her. ‘You should tell him. He loves you as much as you love him. And that love should get you through anything.’ Taking a deep breath to calm her nerves, she whispered out into the night without moving her head. “Jack?”

Jack gave a subtle reply. “Humm?”

Sam didn’t know how else to say it except to just come out and say it. “I’m…we’re going to have a baby.” Waiting for his reaction, she was surprised when he didn’t say anything. “Jack? Did you hear me?” Raising her head up, she suddenly realized that he was sound asleep. Smiling at his handsome face, content in dreams that were good, she kissed him gently on the lips and laid back down on his chest, closing her eyes and listened to the steady rhythm of his heart. Letting sleep take her, she told herself that this was a practice round. She promised herself, and the life she carried, that she would tell him as soon as she could. They had a lot to talk about.

Next Story---> "When Destiny Comes Calling"

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