Chapter Text
"I guess this counts as another busted mission, huh?" Jack glanced over at Jacob who had his hands behind his head and was kneeling, just like Carter, Daniel, Teal'c and Jack.
"Ya think?" Jacob scowled because he was pissed that he'd dragged SG-1 and Jack on this trip to meet with a high-ranking Tok'ra council member who wanted to renew talks about an alliance between with the Tauri. They'd been intercepted during the trip and were now in the custody of slave traders. Their ship had been taken and they were in a large warehouse being processed. Behind them there were two large cells filled with other "guests" who had already been processed. They seemed to be separated into cells based on sex. This fact hadn't escaped any of them.
"Stand!" The guard motioned to Teal'c. Teal'c glanced at Jack who gave a quick small nod of approval. Teal'c slowly stood, without removing his hands from his head. A shorter man walked up to the side of the guard and ran a scanner from Teal'c's head to his feet.
"Have you sired any children?" Teal'c didn't answer. "Answer or face the consequences." Teal'c still didn't respond. The guard pulled out a small stick that had been attached to his belt. He touched Teal'c's chest with the rod and Teal'c buckled and fell back to his knees. The guard held the stick in place as Sam and Daniel screamed, asking him to stop. Just before Teal'c was going to pass out the guard removed the rod and stepped back.
"Stand!" Teal'c struggled to his feet, using his hands to push himself up. "Answer the questions or suffer more."
"Have you sired any children?" The shorter man looked at Teal'c.
"One."
"Male or female?"
"Male."
"Does the child still live?"
"Yes."
"He is approved for training." Teal'c was pushed into the cell holding male prisoners. The guard returned and moved down the row to Daniel.
"Stand." Daniel used his hands and slowly stood. The short man passed the machine from his head to his toes.
"Have you sired any children?"
"No." The man reviewed the machine held in his hands. "Place him on provisional stasis." The guard nodded and pushed Daniel into the cell. He stood beside Teal'c to watch the process continue. Sam was next.
"Stand!" The guard apparently knew few words and even fewer ways of saying them. Sam stood slowly, letting her hands fall to her side as the short man ran the machine over her body.
"You have experienced conception but not delivery. How many conceptions have you experienced?" Sam's mouth tightened in anger. She felt her father's muscles tighten beside her. She avoided looking at Jack, although she could feel his stare. Daniel's mouth dropped and his eyes widened.
"Answer!" The guard produced the rod and stepped towards her.
"Do as he asks Colonel Carter. Your silence isn't worth it." Teal'c said the words with confidence and Sam stole a glance in his direction before turning back towards the short man.
"One."
"Why wasn't the child delivered?"
"I don't know what happened."
"How far did the pregnancy proceed?"
"Two months."
"Months?" Sam glanced at Daniel for help.
"How do you measure the passage of time?" Daniel got the man's attention off Sam for a moment. "Like what do you call the period of waking, sleeping, and waking again?"
"One revolution."
"Ok, good. Can you keep explaining your units as they increase?"
"Thirty three revolutions equal one cycle. Nine cycles equals one orbital." The short man was about to continue but Sam, interested in being done with her interview, interrupted.
"Two cycles." The short man looked back towards her and nodded. "She is also on provisional stasis." Sam was roughly pushed towards the female cell. The door locked behind her and Sam turned around to see how her father faired.
"Stand!" Jacob/Selmac stood in a fluid motion. He stayed still as he was scanned.
"He is inhabited by a symbiote. He is useless. Dispose of him." The shock that ran through the group was heard and felt. Sam grabbed the bars of the cell.
"Well hell! I can't believe we went to all the trouble of capturing him just so you can go and kill him. Not only were we captured but now you're going to kill our captive. We were promised a good payment for his safe delivery. At least let us contact the buyer." Jack seemed to be pissed as he pled with the aliens.
"A buyer?"
"Yeah."
"Who?"
"Like I'm gonna tell you." Jack smirked. The guard walked over and placed the rod against Jack's ribs. He screamed and fell sideways, ending his contact with the torture device. "The Tok'ra." It was above a whisper but not by much.
"Which Tok'ra?"
"Goes by the name of Anise. We're supposed to bring him to her on Taren."
"Take him to a holding cell. I will discuss his stasis with Maron." Two other guards were motioned forward and Jacob was led out of the room. He glanced back once at his daughter and nodded.
"Stand!"
"Is that all you can say?" The guard kicked Jack in the ribs, grabbed his arm, and pulled him up. He let go and Jack swayed slightly until his legs responded to his commands.
"Have you sired any children?" Jack glanced at the rod and decided it wasn't worth it.
"One."
"Male or female?"
"Male."
"Is the child still alive?"
"No." Jack's jaw tightened.
"How old was the child when it died?"
"Nine."
"Nine what?" The short man looked at Jack. Jack shrugged. The guard stepped towards Jack and Jack braced for the pain.
"Nine orbitals!" Daniel screamed what he hoped was the right, or at least satisfactory, answer. The short man nodded.
"Of what did the child die?"
"He was shot." The short man entered more information into his machine.
"He is ready for training." Jack was roughly pushed into the cell with Daniel and Teal'c.
They were left alone for the rest of the night. Food and water was passed out in both cells and people found spots in which to rest. The next morning there were a series of well-spaced bells that woke them. Food and drink were distributed again. A large contingent of guards was brought into the room after breakfast. The door to the male cell was opened and the men were pushed out into the room. They were lined up in the room in rows.
Three men stood on a small stage in front of the room and began stretching. Guards wandered through the rows "convincing" the prisoners to follow suit. Once everyone was participating, another group of men entered the room. They entered data into pads as the men exercised. The routine got more intense as it continued, causing all three of the SGC men to sweat. The men were returned to their cells and the women were brought out into the room. They were instructed through a similar but less strenuous workout as data was collected. In the afternoon small groups of men and woman were removed from the cells and instructed to do different activities, like reading, writing, jumping, lifting, and putting together puzzles, as data was collected.
This daily routine repeated for three days. Jack was tired of being a guinea pig. Daniel found the tests fascinating. Teal'c continued to help Jack assess weaknesses and look for opportunities for escape. Sam had made a friend as she helped the young woman learn the exercises they were being asked to do. Although they spoke different languages, they figured out ways to understand each other. The young girl seemed to be barely twenty and very bright. She reminded Sam of Cassie and Sam decided to protect the young lady who seemed to be alone.
The fourth day began with the bells and food but then both cells were opened and all of the men and women were placed in rows. The short man who had originally processed them took the stage.
"This morning those of you deemed acceptable will be given your mate. You and your mate will proceed from here to the joining cells. You will have seven rotations to decide if your mate suits you. If you find your mate unsuitable you may return here at the end of the seven rotations and have a second mate assigned to you." As he spoke, the doors opened and a row of men and a row of women, surrounded by a few guards, entered. Some of the prisoners were crying. They were placed at the ends of the rows. The man began calling out numbers. Guards would move into the crowd and select people based on the numbers called out. Couples were being placed together along the wall closest to the door.
Teal'c was pulled out and placed with a beautiful tall woman. The young girl standing beside Sam was placed with Jack and Sam was placed with Daniel. They stayed where they were placed until the man stopped calling numbers.
"The rest of you have not been deemed acceptable." He stepped down and walked towards the door. The guards collected those left in the room into a tight circle. Sam and the others were being led from the room as the screams began. Sam tried to turn around to look but Jack, who was walking behind her, pushed her shoulder and kept her moving. They were brought to a long hallway. Each couple was given a small room and the door was locked behind them.
Sam and Daniel looked around. There was a bed, a toilet like contraption, and a sink with a small counter. The bed appeared to be a double. It only took two steps to go from the sink to the bed. The SGC had larger closets! The door was metal and there were bars across a small window in the door. All four walls were solid metal. There was a small recessed light in the ceiling with wires across it. The light didn't project well, leaving most of the room in shadow.
They were left alone until late in the afternoon. The women were removed from the cells and led into a large bathing facility. Sam considered resisting the order to strip until she saw what happened to one of the other women who pulled back when she was touched by a guard. Their old clothes disappeared while they bathed. Sam's nose wrinkled at the sight of her new clothes. The women were led to a large room filled with tables and chairs, set for a meal. The guards left them.
Daniel, Jack, and Teal'c were all getting nervous alone in their new rooms, wondering where the women had been taken. They had been gone an hour when the guards returned for the men. They were led to the same bathing room. There were several struggles about being forced to strip; one struggle included Jack, but the guards won every time. When they finished their showers there were new clothes waiting for them. Jack, Daniel, and Teal'c didn't appreciate their new attire either. They were led to the same large room as the women.
Jack, Teal'c, and Daniel immediately found Sam, who was sitting with her friend and Jack's mate, Nynan. The woman assigned to Teal'c, Rania, found her way to him. She wrapped her arm around his bicep and smiled at him. She seemed very comfortable in her clothes. Sam kept her arms crossed under her breasts. Apparently, underwear wasn't too fashionable here and she hated being braless, especially around her team and Jack. The dresses they were forced to wear resembled too short sleeveless sundresses. They also didn't give her any shoes. The men were wearing long pants and sleeveless tunics that hung open exposing their chests. They also didn't have shoes.
Trays of food and drinks were brought into the room. SG-1, Jack, and the two women sat at one table and began to eat.
"So how are your accommodations?" Daniel looked at Jack.
"Small. There's a sink, a bed, and something that I assume is a commode."
"Same here. Teal'c?"
"Indeed."
"See any way out yet?" Jack looked at Teal'c.
"No."
"Do not speak of such things." Rania harshly whispered to her companions. "Those thoughts will only lead to your death. I am only two children away from being granted parenthood. I will not let you or anyone else take that chance from me." Everyone looked confused.
"I'm sorry but what are you talking about?"
"Do you not know where you reside now?"
"I guess not." Jack glanced at Sam and Daniel before turning back to Rania. "How about you enlighten us." Rania nodded.
"This is a breeding facility. After you produce five children who live beyond their second year, you are allowed to keep your next two children to raise as your own. I had three children with my previous mate before he died. Since my third child has left the breast it is time for me to find a new mate and finish my obligation." Rania ran her hand down Teal'c's leg.
"We have a good chance of producing strong children. Soon." She smiled at him and her eyes darkened. Teal'c's eyebrow rose and his eyes widened while his head tilted to one side.
"You mean they expect Sam and I to..." Daniel didn't have chance to finish because the guards entered and began pushing people out the door. Prisoners stood and moved back to their 'rooms.' Those who tried to resist or talk were shot with an energy weapon by guards placed high above on a catwalk. Based on the reaction of those who were shot these weapons were related to the rod Jack didn't like to remember.
The door to their room closed automatically behind Sam and Daniel.
"So, uhmmm..." Daniel scratched his head and pushed his glasses up his nose.
"I'm not going to suddenly jump you just because we're being held prisoner at a breeding facility." Sam grinned at Daniel over her shoulder.
"Well of course not. I was just thinking about..."
"What?" Sam turned to face him.
"Maybe I should sleep on the floor."
"Daniel, there's barely enough room for both of us to stand up in here. There isn't anywhere for you to lie down. We'll share the bed. It's not much different then sharing a tent."
"Except up until now no one has been watching and waiting for us to do it." Daniel glanced up at a small camera blinking in the corner.
"There is that." Sam walked over to the sink and ran some water. She used her finger to clean off her teeth. Daniel sat on the bed and looked down at his feet as Sam moved over to the toilet.
"I guess they didn't give you underwear either, huh?" Sam looked confused until she realized he'd noticed she didn't have to remove anything before using the commode.
"No. I can deal with the lack of panties but no bra is driving me nuts." Daniel grinned.
"I wouldn't know." After Sam finished getting ready for bed, Daniel copied her actions. Sam climbed into the bed and turned her back on Daniel as he went to the bathroom. Daniel climbed into bed but Sam could tell he was sleeping on top of the sheet. She grinned at his nervousness. They both got some sleep that night but they woke several times as they tried to not make the other uncomfortable by touching.
The next morning began with the same series of three bells. As the third bell rang, the doors to the rooms automatically opened. The prisoners made their way to the large room with tables at the end of the hall. Breakfast was already on the tables. Sam, Daniel, Jack, Nynan, Teal'c, and Rania sat down and ate. Rania was in a bad mood and refused to discuss anything with anyone. Nynan sat close to Jack but they avoided touching. Daniel sat on Nynan's other side and attempted to learn more of her language. It was related to Latin and he was picking it up quickly.
After breakfast, they were led into a large empty room and ordered to sit. A man and several guards entered and stood before the group.
"By now you are aware that you have been brought to a breeders training facility. You have seven rotations to become acquainted with your mate. At the end of the seven rotations if you and your mate are deemed fit you will be moved to Ollan, a breeding village on a planet far removed from here. In Ollan you will have more freedom, but you will also have more responsibility for helping with the maintenance and upkeep of the village." Jack glanced over at Sam and Daniel, sitting on their knees side-by-side.
"In order to leave this facility and move to Ollan you and your mate must successfully copulate and agree to remain as a couple once you reach Ollan, since you are not allowed to choose new mates on Ollan. You must also begin to live by the simple rules we set. The bells you have been hearing since you were brought here will also be used in Ollan to regulate your schedule. The first bell of the morning is the rising bell for those responsible for the morning meal. While you are here, that meal is provided to you so you may ignore this bell. If you are assigned to first meal preparation when you arrive on Ollan, then this bell will be important to you. The second bell is the rising bell for all others and it tells those responsible for meal preparation to report to the hall. The third bell is the final signal to report to the morning meal." Guards walked up and down the rows watching for signs of rebellion.
"After the morning meal you will go to work with your team. You will each be assigned to a different team based on your skills and the needs of the village when you arrive. On Ollan your mid-day meal, if you choose to have one, is made and eaten on your own. In most cases you are allowed to partake in this meal and pursue other interests after the mid day bell. There are two bells signifying the late meal. The first bell calls those responsible for preparing the meal to the hall. The second bell calls all others to the hall. After the late meal you are to return to your hut." The man looked around the room to see if his listeners comprehended.
"You will have time while you are here to learn to respond to the bells. Once on Ollan, you will be expected to conceive a child within three cycles. If conception has not occurred by then you will be brought back here. If you have not exhausted your mating opportunities, you will be given a new mate. If you have never conceived a child that survives until it leaves the breast then you are limited to two mates. Once you have produced a child and it is no longer on the breast, you and your mate may remain together and continue to produce children or you may choose to separate and return here to find new mates. After you have produced five children for the common good then you will be allowed to keep the next two children to raise yourself to become future breeders. You will also have earned a spot here, serving and training future breeders, when you are done producing children."
"Today is the second of the seven rotations so you have five more rotations to copulate with your mate and earn a trip Ollan on the next transport. So that you get used to the Ollan schedule, you will spend your mornings exercising. You will be given an opportunity to clean yourselves before the mid day meal. After the mid day meal you will be allowed to recreate in this room or your private rooms. You will gather for the evening meal and then retire to your rooms." The man nodded to three men standing off to the side. They moved to stand in front of the crowd.
"We begin your routine now. Please stand and follow the directions given." Everyone in the room stood and began stretching as the three men in front were demonstrating. The exercising was a bit more strenuous then what they had done earlier but not tough on the SGC trained folks. The women were allowed to shower and change clothes before the men. Sam, Rania, and Nynan were waiting for Jack, Daniel, and Teal'c when they returned clean and refreshed. They didn't have long to wait for lunch to be served. It was a light meal of fruit, cheese, and bread. They sat at what was now their usual table and in their usual arrangement.
Daniel was making real progress translating Nynans language and they were holding what resembled a conversation. Rania seemed very taken with Teal'c and eventually convince him to go back to their room to spend time together. Sam and Jack walked around the room looking for any weaknesses.
"She is not your mate. Separate and find your mate." The guard got in Jack's face and scowled.
"Sorry, we're just friends." Jack took a step away from Sam.
"You heard my directions. Now follow them." He reached down for the stick hanging off his belt. Jack stepped back and Sam followed. They found Nynan and Daniel and told them what had occurred. The four of them went back to Jack and Nynan room. Daniel and Sam spent an hour teaching Nynan English while Jack annoyed them. They spent the rest of the afternoon walking around, arms linked with their respective mate, checking out the parts of the facility to which they had access.
The dinner bell rang so they made their way back to the room where they had exercised during the morning. Teal'c and Rania had returned. They barely had time to greet each other before the second bell rang. They found their table and began eating.
"Did you find anything useful this afternoon, O'Neill?"
"Nothing that will help us I'm afraid."
Rania shook her head. "I have already told you to stop this talk. I have found Teal'c an enjoyable mate and I want him to return with me to Ollan, but this kind of talk will ruin everything. Accept your place and do your duty." Her face hardened.
"No offense Rania but we're use to freedom and we aren't willing to give it up easily." Sam stared into Rania's eyes. "Don't you miss freedom?" She shook her head.
"This is the life I know and the life I love."
"You were born here." Daniel's eyes widened.
"My parents were breeders if that is what you are asking. I was raised on Lugow until I reached breeding age. After finding my mate here, I went with him to Ollan. It is a good life and I have an interest in continuing it." She stood and left the room.
"I apologize. Rania does not understand anything beyond this life, but she is curious and in time she will come to value freedom." Teal'c stood and followed his mate.
"I think when we make it out of here we'll be taking her with us."
"And Nynan too, sir." Jack looked at her confused. "She and I become friends even before she was chosen as your mate. I'd hate to think what they'd do to her if we left her behind." Jack nodded his consent.
The week flew by. The seven days were up. After breakfast on the eighth day they entered the exercise room like usual, but there were different men standing at the front of the room. They were instructed to sit on their knees with their ankles crossed.
The eight men wandering the room stopping in front of couples and checking their pads. Each couple was either being led out the door or forced to sit back down on their knees. Teal'c and Rynia were one of the couples that left.
"Those who have left this room are going to Ollan. Those of you left behind have chosen to go through the training process again with a different mate or you have not fulfilled your obligation." As the men went through the room consulting their handheld monitors they either separated the males and females into two groups or they sent one or both of the people to a third group collecting up front. Some of the women sent up front began to sob. The group of men and the group of women were instructed to sit. Jack checked to be sure Daniel was with him and Sam was with the group of all females.
The third group, which was a mixed sex group, huddled together near the front of the room. The guards forcibly pushed them down to the ground.
"For those of you who will be entering the mate selection process for the second time it is necessary for you to witness what happens to those who have never participated in the conception of a successful birth and fail to copulate with their second mate." The man waved to the guards. Four guards moved towards the group. Three of them grabbed women and one grabbed a male. They dragged the prisoners up by the hair and placed the torture sticks against their heads. They screamed in agony and tried to get away but it was useless. After over two minutes the screaming stopped. The sticks were left pressed against their heads until they died. Sam locked eyes with Jack. Daniel grabbed Jack's arm. The scene was repeated numerous times until the entire third group lay dead on the floor.
"If you do not wish to be up here after the next mating round, I suggest you take your obligation more seriously." The guards forced the remaining prisoners into two small cells, separated by sex, in a room they had never entered before. They were left in those cells for two days. They were fed and given water while they waited but none of the guards would answer any questions.
On the third day after the others had left for Ollan, they were escorted to the showers and given fresh clothing. They were allowed to bath every other day until the day they were led back into the large room where this journey had started. When they entered the room they saw the rows of men and women waiting to be placed with their mates. They assumed the standard kneeling position and waited.
Sam and Jack were placed together. Daniel and Nynan were just a few couples behind them in line. They stared straight ahead as they were led to their rooms, ignoring the screams of those not deemed worthy. This time their rooms were in a smaller area of the building, separate from the newest prisoners. Their meals were served to them in a smaller room.
"I guess they don't want us telling all the new kids what will happen if they don't play by the rules." Jack grimaced as the images from the week before replayed in his mind. Nynan clung to Daniel and shook.
"I suppose Teal'c and Rynia..."
"Well duh, Daniel. That's why they're not here enjoying this lovely meal with us and the other rejects." Sam got up and went to a neighboring table to get some more to drink.
"Sam and I just couldn't. I mean she's like my sister! What did they expect? What about..." Daniel glanced at Nynan.
"She's young enough to be my daughter for crying out loud." Daniel nodded.
"So what do we do now?"
"Jacob knows where we are. Assuming he was sold to the Tok'ra we can expect a rescue mission any day."
"And if Jacob didn't get sold to the Tok'ra?" Jack glanced over at Sam who was returning to the table.
"We'll make do." Daniel didn't know what Jack meant but he didn't want to ask in front of Sam. Dinner quickly ended and the guards directed them back to their rooms. These rooms were in a different part of the building but the decorator was obviously the same.
Sam had gotten accustomed to the short dresses with no underwear or breast support while she was with Daniel. For some reason the same kind of outfit felt completely wrong all over again now that she was trapped with General O'Neill. Jack seemed ill at ease also. Sam did her usual getting ready for bed routine. She got into bed and turned her back so Jack could have some privacy. Everything grew quiet in the room but Jack hadn't yet gotten into bed. Sam sat up and looked for him. He was scrunched up on the floor between the sink and the bed.
"Sir, there's not enough room for you down there."
"I'll make do."
"No, sir. That isn't going to help the situation. Daniel and I did fine sleeping together in a bed the same size."
"I'm not Daniel."
"Sir, don't be ridiculous. You have to be well rested if we are going to find a way out of this." Jack looked at the sincerity on her face and climbed into the bed. He also slept on top of the sheet.
"Is the top of the sheet trick a guy thing?"
"Huh?" Jack looked over his shoulder.
"Daniel slept on top of the sheet also."
"Oh, yeah it's a guy thing. At some point in every guy's history he's been forced to share a bed with another guy. This raises big alarms with us so one of us sleeps on top of the sheet, so we can testify that we didn't touch each other."
"So mature."
"You have to understand the sheet thing is a move of desperation. A straight grown man would rather sleep on the floor or even the bath tub then share a bed with another grown man."
"You've got to be kidding?" Sam sat up and looked over at him.
"Would I kid about sleeping with another man?"
"Then this means you and Daniel find sleeping with me as off putting as sleeping with another man?" Sam's face fell a little but the sparkle of humor stayed in her eyes.
"Well no, I mean we just learn one way of dealing with situations where we have to share a bed with a person that we aren't suppose to touch and we revert to form whenever that situation arises." Sam lay back down.
"I'll accept that answer...this time." They both slept fitfully as they tried to avoid all contact. The bells announcing the morning meal rang too early. Jack was the first one out of bed. He sat on the edge and rubbed his face. Sam rolled over and looked up at him. The flimsy pants he was forced to wear did nothing to hide his morning issue. Sam looked away and rolled back over.
"Ah, hell." Jack stood up and moved over to the toilet.
"It's alright, sir. I have an older brother. I understand the morning routine. It happened to Daniel too. You should have seen how red his face got."
"Discussing this, especially as it relates to Daniel, is not helping me go."
"Shutting up, sir." They finished getting ready, giving each other as much space and privacy as possible. When the third bell rang their door opened. They went to the breakfast room and joined Daniel and Nynan. After breakfast came the exercise, in a smaller room then last time. After they exercised, they showered and changed clothes. After the mid-day meal, Daniel and Nynan worked on their language skills while Jack and Sam cased the joint.
"It looks secure, sir."
"I agree." After several passes through all the rooms available to them, they made their way back to Daniel and Nynan.
"Find anything, Jack?"
"Nothing useful." Jack slid down the wall and sat beside Daniel. Sam and Nynan went to use the ladies room.
"I think we have to get to Ollan and reunite with Teal'c before we can get out of this." Jack scowled and rubbed his face with both hands as Daniel spoke.
"I know that logically makes sense..."
"But that means you and Sam would have to..."
"Yeah. So would you and Nynan."
"I know. The age difference between her and I is significant but she's definitely too old to be my daughter."
Jack grinned. "Does that mean it's possible?"
"If that's our way out of here then it's possible. Nynan understands what's happening and she doesn't want to be standing in front of the crowd next week."
Jack nodded. "None of us do." He watched as Sam and Nynan reentered the room and moved in their direction. The evening meal was subdued. No one had much to say. The door automatically closed behind them after they entered their room.
"You seemed to be thinking a lot tonight, sir."
"Trying to think of a way out of here."
"We have to get to Teal'c." Jack looked at her.
"I know."
"The only way to do that is to earn a trip to Ollan."
"Unless your Dad comes through at the last minute. He could whisk us away to pick up T and head home."
"It's possible but I think we need another plan, just in case." Sam stood up and put her hands on his forearms. "We can do this."
"Not yet. Let's give it more time."
"Sir."
"No! Not yet. We'll know when we've run out of options." Sam nodded. She mechanically got ready for bed and waited for him with her back turned towards the room. Neither spoke as the lights dimmed and they went to sleep. The next two days preceded in much the same manner.
"Morning campers." Daniel looked up at Jack as he pulled out his chair. Sam followed him towards her seat. Nynan kept her eyes on her plate as she ate. Jack watched her and looked at Daniel. Daniel blushed.
"Good, at least you guys'll get out of here." Sam's eyes widened and then she gave Daniel a small smile.
"I really think I could learn to love her." The look on his face reminded Jack of when he met Sha're. "My start as a married man on Abydos wasn't much different." Daniel shrugged.
"True." Jack nodded. Sam reached out and squeezed Nynans hand. Nynan smiled at Sam and blushed. After the midday meal, Nynan and Daniel went back to their room to 'work on their communication.' Jack and Sam smiled. Sam decided she would have to confront Jack again tonight after dinner. There were only two days left after tonight before they would either go to Ollan or not.
Sam got ready for bed like usual and climbed in with her back to Jack. As he climbed in beside her, he realized he couldn't find the sheet. Sam rolled over in his direction.
"It's time."
"Time?" Jack's breathing hitched.
"You know what I mean. We can't keep putting this off."
"I can't do this. I'm sorry." Sam laid an arm across Jack's chest so he wouldn't get out of bed. He felt her breast touching his arm and realized she had somehow gotten naked with his noticing.
"I clearly remember you saying you'd rather die then lose me." Jack covered his face with his free hand.
"Yeah."
"Still mean it?" Jack lay still as her hand moved across his chest.
"Yeah."
"Then we do this or I die. If you'd rather see me dead then have sex with me I'll roll over and we can forget this whole thing. But if you really will do whatever is necessary to keep me alive then we need to do this...tonight." Sam reached up and cupped his face. She propped herself up on her elbow and leaned down to kiss him. He didn't respond at first but slowly she felt his lips moving.
"We can forget where we are and why we're doing this. We can draw on all those feelings we've kept closed up for so long." Sam kissed him again and he responded. She laid back and pulled him over her. His arms crept around her waist. They kissed for several minutes. Jack pulled back and looked at her face.
"This is wrong." He lowered his head into the crook of her neck.
"In some ways yes but in others it's not." She lifted his head and kissed him again. She searched for his hand and when she found it, she pulled it up to her breast. His fingers lay there without moving. She gripped his hand and forced him to knead her breast. When she let go, he kept up the motion. She smiled at him as their kiss broke.
"Yes, we can." It became her mantra and she repeated it often. She would say it whenever she felt him retreating. The elastic-like waist of his pants allowed her easy access to his groin. He moaned as her hand began stroking his erection. She used her feet to push his pants down his legs and past his feet. Once his pants were off, she wrapped her legs around his hips and pulled him close. His groin rested on hers and she could feel his erection pushing against her. His lips were teasing her breast and she knew she was wet enough to proceed. She wanted to finish before he changed his mind. She reached down and placed him at her entrance.
He looked up into her eyes, asking for permission. All she had to say was yes and she felt him enter her. Her back arched and she lifted her legs to give him more room. He pushed in as far as possible and slowly drew out.
"Amazing." It was the only word he uttered as he slid in and out of her body. Her hands caressed his back and his sides. Occasionally she would pass her thumbnails over his nipples and listen to him gasp. He was close and she knew it. She pulled her head up and kissed his neck. He stilled within her as he orgasmed. She held him close.
"Oh, hell...I meant to...I mean I didn't mean to...I mean not inside you...ah, hell." Jack rolled off her and lay with his back to her.
Sam lay staring at the ceiling. She was overwhelmed by anger and humiliation; anger that they had been put in this position and humiliation at having to be the instigator. Tears slid down the sides of her face but she didn't sob or sniffle. She knew if he heard her, he would misinterpret her tears. She pulled the bedspread over her bare chest and gripped it tightly as she felt his essence drip from her.
She turned her head. She reached a hand out and touched his back between his shoulder blades. He stiffened and she pulled her hand back as if she had touched a hot stove. The sight of his back and his reaction increased her anger. He couldn't even look at her. Her humiliation overwhelmed her and she turned her head back towards the ceiling. The sounds of other couples 'fulfilling their obligation' filtered through the window in the door. Sam couldn't let it end like this; it would make the morning too tough.
Sam rolled over onto her side and slid close to him. Her chest and stomach were pressed against his body. She lifted her leg and wrapped it around his hips. Her hand slid across his chest. She felt him stiffen under her caress. She propped her head up so it was above his neck. Her lips were next to his ear.
"I won't let you shut me out." Her arm tightened across his chest. "I can't do this alone. I need you." One tear ran across the bridge of her nose and dropped onto his neck. The feel of her body frightened him but the contact of that tear with his skin broke the shield he had erected. He laced his fingers with hers on his chest. He lifted her hand. She was afraid he was trying to remove her but instead he twisted his body and turned towards her, pushing her flat against the bed.
Both of his arms wrapped around her and pulled her close. He laid his head on her chest between her collarbones, so his hair tickled her chin. Their legs were tangled together. Her upper arms lay on his shoulders and her hands threaded through his hair.
"Better?" His breath touched her bare breasts, making her breathing hitch.
"Yes, thank-you."
"Goodnight, Sam."
"Goodnight..."
"Jack. It's Jack now."
"Goodnight, Jack." Sam smiled a tight small smile and pulled the blanket up to Jack's shoulders. He shifted a little to get comfortable and then they fell asleep, naked and wrapped in each other's arms.
The first bell rang. Sam shifted to get blood flowing back into a few places where Jack's weight had been pressing into her during the night.
"I never thought I'd get to say this to you but...you're soft." Sam punched Jack in the arm, not too hard but enough to let him know he wasn't funny.
"Don't get me wrong. I could learn to appreciate this side of you." Jack lifted his head and grinned at her. She ran her hand up his arm to his face and into his hair. Her eyes roamed over his features as her hand moved. He leaned down and kissed her softly.
"Are you ok?" Jack looked into her eyes as he spoke.
"Yeah, how about you?"
"Yeah." They both knew they were lying but neither wanted to call the other on it. The second bell rang.
"I guess we need to get ready for breakfast." He lifted himself off her. The sudden cold and the loss of his weight disappointed her. He got out of bed and looked for the pants trapped in the sheets at the bottom of the bed. She sat up, still gripping the sheet to her chest. Her dress was under the bed where she had stealthily dropped it after removing it last night. Jack bent down and threw it back at her.
"Thanks." She put the dress on and made her way to the toilet. He kept his back to her as he put on his pants and tunic. She used the sink to wash her face and clean her teeth while he used the toilet. They were ready to leave when the third bell rang. They left together and walked side by side. Nynan and Daniel were waiting for them. They ate in silence. Daniel tried several times to get a conversation started but neither Sam nor Jack were willing to maintain their halves of the conversation. Daniel figured only one thing could have led to this level of uncomfortableness between the friends. After they finished their morning exercises and the women left for the showers Daniel cornered Jack.
"I would have thought you'd have been happier about this."
Jack scowled at Daniel. "Happy about what?" Jack questioned.
"About sleeping with Sam. The undercurrents have been there for years."
Jack's lips curled and he snarled. "I'm supposed to be happy I had to rape by second in command, my colleague, my friend." Daniel flinched at the word rape and backed away from Jack.
"You didn't..."
"What else would you call it, Daniel? Do you honestly believe we would've done this if it hadn't been forced upon us? Forced sex is rape Daniel. Don't try to make this sound romantic because it isn't. Romance involves dinner at a nice restaurant, dancing, stars, silk sheets, and such...not metal bars and threats of death." Jack waved his hands in the air as he ranted. Daniel nodded as he finished.
"I guess I didn't see it that way when Nynan and I were..."
"Well good for you." Jack's hands were fists as they were led to the showers. Daniel didn't try talking to him again. He knew only one person had any hope of fixing this and he wasn't that person.