The clang of the iron door slamming shut sent a ripple of fear through her. The key turning, locking them inside the holding cell, also locked her mind. She didn't hear the voices around her; not the ones angrily demanding an explanation in two different languages, nor the softer tone filled with concern calling her name. She did hear the irregular breaths from the one next to her, though she was too panicked to wonder why she heard the softest sound in the room. Her heart was pounding in terror and every thump in her chest made her tremble. I can't go through this again...can't bear being caged again...not after only just gaining a taste of freedom...and not here of all places.

Grey shadows swam before her eyes and her mind whispered to her that she had to stop hyperventilating before she passed out. She couldn't black out, not now, it wouldn't be safe, not when she was a prisoner. Desperately she sought a way to remain conscious. Memories of the last few weeks began to flicker across her vision. Sifting backwards through them she shoved aside her excitement and hope from this morning, for it was like a lash of the whip how wrong those feelings had turned out to be. She latched onto two nights ago.

Everyone had been so happy that night, so carefree. It had been like a fantasy. They were rejoicing over the last medical papers being signed off, giving a clean bill of health to all the personnel who'd survived the deadly virus. What had started out in the beginning of the week as a few beers around a barbecue by a couple of teams, snowballed into a full scale free-for-all party by the weekend. General Hammond had given the okay for the commissary on level three to be used so non-cleared partners could attend. Ferretti had donated the 'House Winnings' of his clandestine betting pool to the catering and a mission had been executed to temporarily liberate bunting and banners to decorate.

Somewhere between organizing the alcohol supplies and arranging the scheduled full diagnostic of the 'gate computer, which would require taking it offline thus suspending 'gate travel for half a day, to be brought forward a week to coincide with the morning after, the party again changed. It was no longer a mere casual gathering but a black tie gala. No one could say who had voiced the idea, though Jack had tried his damnedest to find out so he could give the evil soul latrine duty. But his grumbles about penguin suits had been overridden.

For Keelah the preparations had sparked nostalgic memories of her home world. Formal parties had been a major part of her family's life. She clearly remembered how much fun she and her mother had had getting all dressed up. Her mother had always asked her which jewelry she should wear, and she'd spent the most time holding up the sparkling gems and trinkets against her mother's gown deciding which set matched best. Her father had greeted them with the same line whenever they had emerged from the dressing room. He'd be sipping a glass of aged port and he'd raise his glass to them, "To the two most beautiful jewels of the land." Her brother, who made a show of hating the pomp and ceremony, would tug at his cravat and roll his eyes, but nonetheless would offer his arm to escort her as he'd been taught. Making sure that their parents weren't in earshot so that he didn't contradict his carefully cultivated rebellious phase, he'd whisper in her ear how pretty she looked. It was one of the few clear memories she had of her childhood.

Though her current home was completely different, with different customs and ways of life, Keelah discovered that the exuberance and atmosphere was the same when women got together to play 'dress up'. Their day off had been spent shopping, with this excursion surpassing any of Keelah's previous trips to the mall. Annika, Sam, Janet, Cassie and she had spent hours in just one shop, choosing the perfect dresses. They were, as Annika put it, splurging just because they could, and Sam and Janet were thrilled to be attending a 'work function' where they weren't required to wear their Air Force dress uniforms. Much chatter and many dress changes later, they had their gowns carefully packaged and they had moved on to find matching shoes and accessories. Then with Annika declaring that they couldn't possibly wear boring, everyday underwear beneath such finery, they had descended on 'Twilight Lace' for lingerie.

The day of the event, the base had an excited happy energy. For those working that day, they had arrived with their gowns and formal suits carefully covered in garment bags to change into after their shifts. SG-1 spent the afternoon setting up the room, and then the night, which had been like a fantasy to Keelah, and would be treasured in her memory as such forever, began...

Jack struggled with a cufflink as they headed out of Hammond's office, which he had temporarily taken over while the Texan was out of commission. Hammond had been one of the slowest to recover his strength from the virus and Janet had given him clearance for only part shifts. Tomorrow Jack would be officially handing back the command chair and he couldn't be more pleased...well, his pleasure would be complete if he could ever get the damned cufflink fastened! It hadn't been a great shock to the general that Casper had embraced this hoopla with gusto, nor had Sam's enthusiasm; he knew that under that scientist brain, grease under the nails exterior, there lurked a very feminine woman with all the 'girly' passions. What had shocked him into submission was that the rough, tough military men on the base had warmed to the idea. Had seriously considered that the whacky tobaccy was still messing with everyone's subconscious. "Tell me again why we let them convince us dressing in these monkey suits was a good idea?"

"It made them happy," Teal'c replied, picking up his jacket to follow.

Daniel, leading the way down the stairs, was the first to see the vision that greeted them below. "And then there's that."

Jack's gaze followed where Daniel pointed. Ah, the quick acceptance of the other men is now making sense! They hadn't liked the idea of getting decked out in formal gear any more than he had. However, seeing their respective partners dressed to the nines was a whole different kettle of fish! "Three very good reasons."

The ladies of SG-1 didn't miss their partners' looks of deep appreciation. It made Keelah's heart pitter-patter as Teal'c slowly perused her from head to toe and back again. That single look made her feel like the most precious jewel on Earth.

Teal'c attempted to keep walking down, but Jack had stopped short. "O'Neill, have your feet grown roots?"

"Huh?" Jack's sole focus was on Sam. The look he gave his fiancée caused a delicate blush to tint her cheeks.

"I do not intend to spend the entire night on the stairwell." Impatient to greet Keelah properly, Teal'c uncharacteristically gave the general a nudge in the back to get him to move.

"Oh...uh...yeah." Jack finally put one foot in front of the other, his gaze still on Sam.

Daniel was already by Annika, who was grinning teasingly at her husband. "I'm guessing by the drool you approve of the dress?" Burst into a husky chuckle when Daniel absently lifted a hand to his mouth to wipe away the metaphorical wetness.

"I approve of the whole package." He reached for her hand and raised it above her head, encouraging her to turn around on the spot. Took a blissful few moments to simply enjoy the fitted, pewter, silk gown that emphasized his wife's natural assets. "You're absolutely beautiful."

Jack was subjecting Sam to the same indulgent scrutiny. The cream dress with the gold beading, clinging to her body in all the right places did funny things to his libido. Eventually he cleared his throat. "Carter, you can't wear that."

The blonde raised an amused eyebrow. "I can't?"

"Nope. 'Cause now I'm gonna' have to spend the night fighting off your would be suitors."

"I'm sure you'll manage, sir."

Keelah hardly heard the banter of her friends. Her burgundy gown with silver beading and embroidery had a full skirt with a tightly cinched bodice. She had been a little self-conscious about leaving her shoulders bare, despite Annika and Sam's reassurances that the few spidery scars that remained on the top of her back were barely noticeable. With each step Teal'c took closer to her, her anxiety melted away. Her heart flittered madly for a much more pleasant reason. Holding her hand like it was as fragile as glass, Teal'c lifted it to his lips, placing a soft kiss on her skin. "A more stunning picture of elegance and beauty I have not seen."

She'd had men stare at her with lust in their eyes and it had always filled her with fear, because it would inevitably end with her Master handing her over to them. Yet with Teal'c that same lustful expression only filled her with a sense of anticipation and the warm heat of her own desire, especially since she now knew what the act of making love was all about. With the fire lighting his dark depths, she knew that tonight there would be another 'practice session' when they returned home.

"Ladies, you will be the Belles of the ball," Daniel declared, giving a playful bow to Annika. "My lady, would you do me the great honor of allowing me to escort you?"

Annika gave a curtsy. "I'd be delighted, kind sir."

Jack offered his arm to Sam, as did Teal'c to Keelah, and they all headed for the elevator. Emerging on the third level they paused, observing the excited buzz of the personnel. Some were already dancing, those who weren't were mingling happily.

"This reminds me of Homecoming," Annika commented, taking in the finery of the women's dresses and the men's tuxedos, and the dimmed lighting with strings of fairy lights adding a hint of sparkle. She hadn't been a big follower of the football team of her high school, but in her senior year her body had blossomed enough that she had been asked by a couple of jocks to attend the annual dance. She'd agreed to go with the guy with the least lustful aura and had had a great time.

Jack agreed. "All that's missing is someone spiking the punch while no one is looking."

"I believe Major Ferretti is rectifying that," Teal'c said with a touch of amusement, witnessing the man looking decidedly sneaky around the beverage table.

"What is this 'Homecoming'?" Keelah asked.

"It's an American tradition," Daniel explained, "It started out in the early 1900's as a way for universities, colleges and high schools to welcome back former residents and alumni. Usually it's centered around a specific event like a football game. It's changed somewhat over the years into a celebration of mainly the current student body, taking on more aspects of a prom."

Sam's expression turned wistful. "I never attended a Homecoming dance."

"Really?" Jack raised an eyebrow.

The blonde shook her head. "It seemed that Dad was always transferred around fall. It was just fluke that I wound up switching schools Homecoming week. The year he was stationed in the one place long enough, I was so caught up in my studies that I didn't bother."

"Well, tonight I dub thee the SGC Homecoming Queen," Jack declared.

"Another tradition," Daniel again explained when he caught the inquisitive looks from both Keelah and Teal'c at Jack's comment. "Normally there's a vote taken for Homecoming Queen and King."

"What is the basis of this vote?" Teal'c asked.

"These days it tends to be a popularity contest, but originally nominees were those who had gone above and beyond the call of duty to contribute to their school."

Keelah considered that explanation. "Then every member of the personnel here would qualify as a nominee."

"Can't argue with that," Daniel agreed.

People started to approach them and the conversation turned to other things.

It was a couple of hours into the evening, and Annika had her arms looped around Daniel as they slow danced around the floor.

"Tonight has been quite a success, hasn't it?" Daniel murmured, his cheek resting on the top of her head.

"Hmmm, yes it has." Her fingers lazily caressed the back of his neck. "Has Jack discovered who suggested the black ties?"

"Nope, and I'm not going to be the one to tell him." He spotted his best friend dancing just as close to Sam as he was to Annika. "But he doesn't seem to mind so much now."

"I wish those two would hurry up and get together," she sighed.

"Who?"

Annika subtly gestured with her head to the far side of the room and Daniel slowly shuffled them around so he could see.

"Ah, yes."

It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out who she meant. SG-2 was standing off to one side. Dodger had Cassie hooked on his arm chatting with Brooklyn and his girlfriend. Nyan and his date, who happened to be one of the nurses from the base, were also mingling easily with them. Ferretti and Janet, however, were at opposite sides of the group, clutching their drinks tightly like they were lifelines. They appeared to be socializing, though it was very obvious that they were avoiding looking at each other. When they thought no one was looking their eyes seemed drawn to the other. If they made accidental eye contact it was quickly broken taking a gulp of their drinks. This type of scenario had been in play for the better part of the last two weeks.

"It's painful to watch, isn't it?"

"I don't know what's worse, having them not talking to each other or having them pretend nothing has changed."

They watched as Brooklyn grabbed the hand of his lady and dragged her out onto the dance floor. Annika hid a chuckle. To her it looked like the man had made a desperate bid to escape. Her suspicion was confirmed as he danced his way over to her and Daniel.

"Shoot me now," he said softly when he was within earshot. "I feel like I'm in high school. I've got Lou in one ear asking if the Doc has said anything about him, and the Doc in the other ear. I expect notes to be passed back and forth any second now."

"I know what you mean," Annika commiserated. "They've been doing the same thing to me all week."

"I don't suppose you've tried encouraging them to talk to each other?" Daniel asked.

"Until we're hoarse," Annika grumped. "They're just being so damned stubborn about it."

"That seems to be a required personality trait around here," Brooklyn's girlfriend, Mandy, observed. Though she knew nothing of what officially went on at the SGC, she had been privy to the trials and tribulations of Ferretti's love problems thanks to pillow talk with Brooklyn. Knew how worried he had been a few weeks ago about his best friend and how frustrated he was now.

Daniel didn't miss the gleam in his wife's eyes. "You have an idea."

"Uh huh," she nodded. "Mind if we swap partners for a while?"

"Nope." He placed a light kiss to her lips. "Go play Cupid." He relinquished the close hold on his wife and accepted the hand of Mandy.

Annika and Brooklyn waltzed away, their heads together as they discussed Annika's plan.

Daniel's lips twitched. "If they get any closer, a whole new rumor mill will be started."

Mandy also smiled. "Are you worried?" She had been in a relationship with Brooklyn for the better part of a year. While they didn't have plans of ringing wedding bells any time soon, their commitment to each other was strong, with no concerns of either having a wandering eye.

"Nope, not a bit." He steered them sideways so they both had a view of what their partners would do.

Annika and Brooklyn separated once they were close to the SG-2 group, breaking out into easy conversation with their friends. Annika made her way over to Ferretti, while Brooklyn sidled up to Janet. Annika plucked the bottle of beer from Ferretti's clenched fingers, put it aside on the table and tugged him out onto the dance floor. Brooklyn was a little subtler, verbally convincing Janet to dance with him.

The two couples set off in opposite directions but it wasn't long before it became obvious to Daniel and Mandy that they were circling in together. They actually did a pretty good job of ensuring that neither Janet nor Ferretti knew they were being brought closer together with every step. Even watching as he was, Daniel wasn't quite sure how they managed it, especially since Ferretti was technically supposed to be leading Annika. One moment she was in Ferretti's arms and Janet in Brooklyn's, and the next Brooklyn spun Janet out, Annika stepped aside grasping Janet's hand and directed her straight into the embrace of Ferretti. For a moment the major and doctor froze, then like they were touching hot coals, sprang back. However, Brooklyn and Annika had that reaction covered. The two matchmakers were once again dancing together and blocked Janet's attempt to run. Ferretti's escape was hindered by two other couples behind him; his boxed in position having been orchestrated by Annika before Brooklyn had made his move to spin Janet out.

The pair shot their 'captors' a dirty look, before something very akin to panic crossed their faces as they were forced to communicate with each other, if only to work out a method of escape.

Daniel saw an opening begin to widen as the oblivious couples behind Ferretti started to move away. "Shall we give them a hand?" he suggested.

Mandy nodded and let Daniel glide them to the other side of the squirming couple. They just managed to block the hole before Ferretti and Janet could slip through.

"This is not funny." Janet glared at them all.

"Who's laughing?" Daniel replied in all innocence.

"Don't you think this game of pretending there is nothing going on between the two of you has been going on long enough?" Annika asked.

The couple gave them another glare then turned to each other. Their eyes locked and for the first time since the virus outbreak they were both able to agree on one thing. In unison they came out with their conclusion.

"No."

Ferretti saw the barest hint of an opening between bodies. He took his chance and practically dove through the crowd, snagging Janet's hand to tug her through as well, rescuing her from being left alone with the group of matchmakers. As soon as they had cleared the sea of bodies Ferretti dropped his hold on the petite woman and both bolted in opposite directions.

"Maybe next time we should bring a pair of handcuffs," Annika sighed, watching the pair flee from each other more so than from them.

"You're amateurs," Jack drawled, having witnessed the failed attempt as he fetched a couple of drinks for himself and Sam.

"Oh, really," Annika quirked an eyebrow. "And what precisely did we do wrong?"

"It's not what, it's where. It's all about location." He gestured around the room and then pointed to the doors. "The room is too big and there are too many exits. They can escape at any time. And there are too many witnesses."

"I see your point," the redhead conceded.

"Leave it with me," Jack's expression became devious. "I'll concoct a scenario from which the little lovebirds can't escape." He would deny with his dying breath that he was in any way, shape or form a closet romantic. It was a simple case of wanting the base to run smoothly, which it was not, because the CMO's and team leader's behavior was causing a distraction that was a pain in the ass. He dismissed the little voice in his head that reminded him that he and Sam had acted in much the same way. The current situation was entirely different, there was no non-frat rule to stand in their way, just their mule-headedness.

"Please make it soon, General," Brooklyn pleaded. "I don't know how much more of this I can take."

"Trust me," Jack grinned then sauntered away.

They watched him go, not trying to hide their bemusement at having Jack, of all people, volunteer to help in the romantic set up.

"I thought you were the Matchmaker," Brooklyn mused to Annika.

"So did I. Who knew Jack was hiding an incurable romantic beneath that crusty exterior?"

Keelah and Teal'c had also observed the failure of the dance switch, though they didn't stop their own dancing to get the details from their friends.

"Why do they keep pretending their feelings haven't changed?" Keelah asked, lifting her head from his shoulder to look up at him.

"I believe they fear the consequences," he replied after a moment's thought. "Both Major Ferretti and Doctor Fraiser are strong people, accustomed to being in control. Voicing one's love to the person in question leaves them vulnerable, essentially giving their hearts unprotected into the care of another. They have both been hurt in previous relationships, I can only surmise that they do not want to risk going through that again."

"You speak of your own experience," she said insightfully.

He nodded. "I have loved deeply twice. After Shaun'auc, it took many years before I even considered another relationship. Drey'auc was most persistent and patient." A small smile played on his lips at the memory of how she had pursued him. "In hindsight, I see that it was too soon after her death for me to enter into an affair with Ishta."

"It was not just your differing views on the rebellion that caused your separation?"

"That was more of an excuse than the core reason," he admitted, "though I did not realize that at the time."

"When do you think you shall be ready to go in search of love again?" she asked, giving thought to their current arrangement.

"I cannot say," Teal'c shrugged. "As you know I have no intention of seeking romantic involvement in the near future."

Catching a glimpse of Janet as she headed for the exit, she couldn't help but recall that love had sprung unexpectedly upon the doctor and major. She rested her cheek once more on his shoulder, tilting her chin upwards slightly to whisper in his ear so that no one would have a chance to overhear her. "If love should find you before we terminate our agreement, will you give me your word that you will tell me? I do not wish to be an obstacle, or an excuse, for you to deny your feelings."

"It is unlikely in the extreme, however if this miracle occurs, I assure you that you shall be the first to know." Unconsciously his hold around her waist tightened. In the past few weeks he had found himself confiding in Keelah more than any other person he had known, so much so that it was inconceivable that he wouldn't share such a revelation with her.

She wondered at the opposing emotions that she felt at his promise, especially since she had been the one ask it of him. She was touched that he so readily agreed to confide in her the feelings of his heart. Yet the idea of him loving someone new, of making love to another, left a bitter taste in her mouth.

Much later that night, when Keelah snuggled into Teal'c's arms, happily content after another very enjoyable lesson in the art of making love, her thoughts drifted back to the Homecoming conversation.

"You seem pensive," Teal'c observed. Over the time he had known Keelah, he had noticed that when she was deep in thought, her fingers unconsciously brushed repetitively back and forth on whatever 'object' was within her reach. Right now they were lightly caressing the crossed scar of his symbiote pouch.

"I was thinking about the concept of the Homecoming King," she said, her finger continuing to trace the outline of the scar. "If past heroic deeds are what are considered, then I believe you would win."

"My teammates have performed as many acts as I." Teal'c did not consider himself a hero. He had committed too many acts of violence in the name of Apophis to consider himself worthy of such a title.

"No, they haven't," she disagreed. "How many people did you secretly save in the decades of being Apophis's First Prime?" He had encouraged her to speak of her time as a slave by confiding in her some of the details of his servitude to his cruel Master.

"I killed many more than I saved."

"But those you could save, you did, knowing that if Apophis found out, you would be tortured and executed." She propped herself up on her elbow to look at him. "Being a hero is not just saving one life or many lives...it's committing to an act, knowing the personal repercussions and sacrifices and doing it despite them. You defied the being you were taught was a god. When you helped SG-1 escape, you sacrificed everything you had ever known....you gave up the relationship with your family to keep them safe from Apophis's wrath, became an outcast in the only society you had ever known, because you believed it was the right thing to do. How does that not make you a hero?"

Her passionate defense of him affected him more than he thought possible. He still did not agree with her assessment, but to know that was how she viewed him was humbling. He tried to make light of the situation. "So if I am the King, then that would make you my Queen."

For the briefest second her expression was unreadable, became conflicted in a dilemma he did not understand, then she shrugged it off. "I have done nothing of worth to be considered for that title."

He sensed there was something he was missing, that her words had an underlying meaning that had nothing to do with the American tradition. "There are many forms of heroism. You have conquered many of your personal demons, have not let fear control your actions. I have seen slaves give up their humanity, turning into as cruel a person as the Masters who torment them, give up their souls to survive. You have been subjected to unimaginable torture and pain, and yet you have emerged as a caring, compassionate woman. Holding onto to your soul is as much an act of heroism in my eyes as any physical deeds."

It was the most natural thing in the world that he brushed his lips against hers. It wasn't intended to be a sexual move, rather an expression of the sincerity of his words. However when she responded in kind, the fire of desire began a slow winding course through their bodies that demanded to be sated. It was only when the grey light of dawn peeked through the window that their eyes closed into a contented slumber.