A Hidden Threat

Chapter 13

They arrived at the planet. Nothing had changed since they were last there. Burnt desolate land was what was before them, as far as the eye could see.

"Daniel?" O'Neill said. Knowing if anyone could find the caves it would be Carter or him. And SG1 was down one. They had to rely on each other.

"Ummm" Daniel hesitated. They all looked worried, worried about Carter back at home. Amiri's tie to her was stronger than anyone had surmised. They had to find this cave, they had too.

"This way" Daniel said.

"You sure?" O'Neill questioned.

"Sam's device is showing some type of climate change", Daniel stated as he looked towards the distance. It was all that Daniel had to go on.

"To Oz, then?" O'Neill said, hoping to lighten the mood.

They all looked at each other and began to walk.

They walked for what seemed like hours.

"Daniel" O'Neill stated started to get irritated.

"Jack...we are getting closer but it's still a ways a way" Daniel said, worried they were going around, in circles.

"We seem to have been walking for quite some time Daniel Jackson. Are you sure that you are reading Major Carters device correctly." Teal'c said.

"No I'm not sure...but do you have a better plan?" Daniel yelled at Teal'c. It wasn't like him but he too was getting frustrated.

Suddenly, a voice come through their intercoms.

"General Hammond to Colonel O'Neill" Hammond shouted.

"O'Neill here, go ahead" O'Neill stated. Wondering why Hammond was contacting them.

"O'Neill, have you made any progress?" Hammond asked.

"Sorry, Sir. We still seem to walking towards the area" O'Neill said.

"Jack....." the use of his first name from his Commanding Officer, caught his attention quickly.

"Major Carter seems to have taken a turn for the worse. Amiri is barely hanging on. Dr Frasier seems to believe that they might have a better chance if we return them to the planet. Maybe there is something there that can help them. She's tried everything here." Hammond stated.

O'Neill's face grew to panic. "Dear God" He thought to himself. Did he make the wrong decision?

"Dr. Fraiser will be coming along with them to monitor their vitals. You should expect them in the next hour" Hammond stated.

"Understood General" O'Neill said.

"Teal'c you go ahead with Daniel. I'll head back to the gate. Radio me as soon as you find something" O'Neill stated.

Teal'c nodded his head as he always did. Daniel looked at Jack. He knew that the news from Hammond was tearing him up inside. He knew the way they felt about each other. SG1 was his family. Carter was like a sister to him. He knew that Jack and Sam, cared about each, more than they should.

Before Jack turned around to head towards the gate, Daniel called out to him. "Jack"

O'Neill turned. "Sam is strong. She's gonna fight this. We will find this cave." Daniel said trying to reassure Jack.

O'Neill didn't say anything he just nodded his head and headed towards the gate. Will his decision be the nail on Sam's coffin? Will he ever tell her how he feels about her? That question now hung in the balance just as Sam's life did.

AN HOUR LATER...

The worm hole opened, and out came the medical team, with Carter and Amiri in hand, in stasis pods.

"Hey Doc" Jack said. "How is she?" He asked. Dr. Frasier knew immediately that he meant Sam. Although he didn't wish any harm to Amiri, but Samantha Carter held a special place in his heart.

"She's fading, Sir. I've done all I can. Which is why I told Hammond that this might be their only chance" Dr. Frasier stated. O'Neill could see the angst in her eyes. He knew that Janet Frasier and Sam Carter had become good friends through the years.

Suddenly from behind them, one of the nurses called out to the Dr. O'Neill's heart started pounding harder than ever.

Frasier ran to the pod.

"Her vitals...there are returning to normal" Frasier astonishment rang across the entire team.

"Doc...what are you saying?" O'Neill had to ask her to repeat it again.

"Sir, Major Carters' vitals are stabilizing. As are Amiri's. Sir...this planet definitely has a tie to them both Sir" Frasier stated as she continued to monitor their vitals.

Carter started to stir in the stasis pod.

O'Neill ran to her. Not realizing his immediate response. Frasier looked at them. How unfair life was. She was their when they admitted they cared for each other. She watched as two amazing people had to bury their feelings for the cause of the planet. They had fought against so much. Battled many battles, only now to ask, would one survive?