"Sam, pull in here."

The blonde raised an eyebrow at the backseat driver, but dutifully turned into the parking lot.

"Sudden urge for home renovation?" Janet asked from the front passenger seat, taking in the hardware store they were now parked in front of.

"More like lingerie makeover," Annika grinned, unbuckling her seatbelt.

Keelah frowned at the friend beside her. "Hardware stores sell clothing?" The young woman was still getting accustomed to the new world in which she was now living in, and thought she had mistranslated the purpose of this type of establishment. Was a little relieved when Janet and Sam were looking equally bemused.

"Nope. The little store next to it does."

Three heads swiveled to where the redhead gestured, to see discreet signage for a shop called 'Twilight Lace'.

Annika was already getting out of the car with an excited, triumphant gleam to her eyes. "I've been hunting for this place for two weeks now. The only clue my secretive husband would give is that it was in a 'handy' location." When Annika had seen the 'Handyman Hardware' store, she'd just known the place where Daniel had bought that little diamanté teddy was close by.

The three women still in the car blinked after the rapidly retreating figure of their friend as she headed for the store.

Sam shrugged. "Guess we're going lingerie shopping."

Keelah glanced at the pile of bags already piled on the seat and floor. The trunk had even more, practically crammed full with purchases from their morning at the mall. "Have we not shopped enough for one day?"

"No such thing as too much shopping," Sam grinned, climbing out, her mind already trying to think of something Jack would like.

"But we've already spent so much." The former slave, unaccustomed to having access to currency of any kind, was worried about the continual use of the small plastic card Teal'c had presented her with. He'd told her to buy whatever she wished, but still...

Janet chuckled. "Keelah, do you have that credit card handy?"

She nodded and fished the flat piece of plastic from her pocket.

The doctor pretended to examine it. "It's not smoking and there are no signs of cardiac arrest. You can keep spending."

Keelah's grasp on the card became wary like she was holding a bomb, until she saw the teasing glint to Janet's eyes. "Well, you're the doctor." She smiled shyly and the two of them followed the female members of SG-1.

Annika had introduced Keelah to the new and wonderful world of shopping a couple of weeks ago. To begin with she has been a little overwhelmed by the huge range of choices that were available under one roof, however, Annika's enthusiasm had been infectious. That first trip the redhead had helped her choose the basics of a wardrobe that steered away from the khaki and navy blue garb she'd been issued on base. This time her purchases had been more frivolous, at least in Keelah's mind, though Annika, Sam and Janet had insisted that the two pairs of shoes, three tops, two skirts and jeans, not to mention the numerous toiletry products were essential; had proven their claim by buying as much themselves. Entering the store, it occurred to her that undergarments were the only things that they had not bought today. Guessed that if her friends had their way, that oversight would be corrected.

With a smile the assistant bid her customer farewell and approached. The smile turned slightly apologetic. "I'm sorry for staring, but is your husband about six foot, dark blonde with blue eyes and glasses?"

Annika raised an eyebrow. "Let me guess, you're psychic."

The woman chuckled. "No. He spent a long time deciding, described you pretty well, and I recognized your wedding band," she explained. "I take it the teddy was a success?"

"Oh yeah," Annika fought back a blush at the memory. "I'm here to exact revenge. I don't suppose you remember what else caught his eye?"

"As a matter of fact, I do."

She started to lead the way towards the back of the store, which Annika realized held the more adventurous intimate apparel. She sorted through one of the racks and produced two hangers.

"There's not much to this one," Annika reached for the black number, holding it against herself to envision how it would look. A sudden thought occurred to her. The assistant had known precisely where to lay her hands on the stock Daniel had browsed over two weeks ago. "You must have an exceptional memory."

"You husband was pretty memorable." When she caught the sudden wary narrowing of Annika's eyes, she hastily continued on to ease her mind that she didn't have designs on her husband. "It's not often a man takes such joy in finding the perfect piece of lingerie. When he was choosing, he wasn't just seeing the scraps of silk and lace. It was like he was picturing how they would look on you, and I saw the desire light up those blue eyes at the idea of taking them off you." She paused. "Kind of like the light that was in your eyes when you held this against you. A blind man could see that you two are very much in love. Only a fool would try to come between you...and I'm no fool."

Annika relaxed, seeing in the woman's aura that she spoke the truth. She took the second item, a skimpy little negligee, to visualize how it would look. Doing so her finger brushed the woman's and a few images passed across her vision. "You're the owner of the store...and the designer of the...specialty items?"

"Guilty on both counts." She didn't try to hide her surprise.

"Lucky guess," Annika murmured. "I have the feeling you are going to get a lot of business from me and my man, especially if all your designs are so..." she searched for the right word.

"Creative?" she suggested, selecting two more hangers. "He also liked these."

"I was going to say inspiring." Annika held the first garment back up, a string of possibilities for how she would set the scene for that little number. Eyed the new selections and her mind was already ticking over with ideas for those. "I'm Annika."

"Robenia."

Since neither woman had a free hand with which to shake in the traditional greeting, they simply grinned at each other.

"I can put these in a dressing room if you want to browse some more."

"Sounds like a plan." Annika handed over the two items.

Robenia started to move away then turned back. "I also do special orders, so if there's something you've got in mind but can't find on the racks, then let me know and I'll see if I can come up with a design."

"Yep, definitely going to get a lot of business." Annika's smile grew wider, a myriad of possibilities starting to run through her mind. She returned to the main part of the store, looking for her friends. Spotted Janet looking at a rather plain white bra set from the generic stock. Oh no, that would never do! She'd have to convince Janet to be a little more adventurous. Sidled up to the doctor, all the while keeping an eye out for something with a little spark. "I wish I could wear this," she sighed, fingering a lacy bra in ruby red that would clash horribly with her hair. "There are drawbacks to being a redhead." She paused. "But it would suit you, Janet."

"I don't know. I'm not really a red person." The doctor eyed it critically. "It wouldn't be very supportive."

Annika rolled her eyes. "Always the doctor. Bet it would make you feel good though, to know that under that starched Air Force uniform you were wearing something that would knock the guys' socks off."

"It is pretty," Janet conceded. And there was something about wearing sexy lingerie that boosted her ego, something that was sorely needed of late. Things had been tense, no doubt about that. She tried to delude herself into believing that it was remnants of being the zatarc. But that wasn't true. She was dealing with that guilt. And she had finally resolved her doubts over keeping her role in the incident classified. That had mainly come about due to the overwhelming response from the personnel after Dodger and she had been found relatively unharmed from the rockslide during Anubis's attack on Alpha. Their concern and relief had made her humbly realize that disclosing herself as the zatarc would have had severe ramifications on morale. Well, there was one exception to the well-wishers.

She was baffled by Ferretti's behavior since the rockslide and that included his bizarre chivalry of carrying her to the Stargate. He was moody and snapped at everyone. That she could handle, after all everyone was dealing differently with the high count of casualties from that day. What was getting to her was that he seemed to be actively avoiding her. He'd even gone so far as to have Brooklyn replace his 'Doc Watch' night shift until the week free of Ba'al nightmares had occurred. Gone was the camaraderie they had shared. Her happy-go-lucky friend had been replaced by a sullen stranger. She'd tried to talk to him, concerned about the emotional turmoil he was obviously going through. He'd abruptly brushed her questions aside. Janet couldn't come up with a rational explanation and admitted that his rude behavior hurt, especially with how close they had become in recent months...or how close she had thought they'd become. She was pulled from her thoughts by Annika waving something blue in front of her.

"Or how about this?" Annika held up an electric blue negligee with a delicate lace trim. The material was so sheer it was practically transparent.

Janet gave a short laugh. "And who precisely would I have to wear it for?"

"You never know who's waiting around the corner," Annika grinned.

"Oh no," Janet heaved a sigh. "I'm you're next project, aren't I?" The last thing she wanted or needed was romantic involvement. Lately she couldn't even maintain a cordial relationship with her best friend, so the extra 'effort' required for romance was totally out of the question.

Violet eyes went wide. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh yes you do," she accused. "I've seen that matchmaking gleam in your eyes before."

For a long moment the psychic seemed to deliberate her reply. "Janet, I don't need to set you up. If things are meant to happen, they're meant to happen." She wouldn't tell the specifics of what Janet's and Whistler's auras had revealed, however, given Whistler's baffling reaction she thought it prudent to give a couple of hints. The point of this 'exercise' was to simply open Janet's mind to the possibility of romance.

"You've seen something." It wasn't a question. Janet knew as well as SG-1 how to recognize the difference between Annika joking around and when she was referring to a vision.

"I've seen a lot of things," Annika shrugged.

Despite her insistent excuses of why she wasn't at all interested, Janet found herself asking, "Who is he?"

Again violet eyes deliberated. "Um...if I told, he would probably boot me through the nearest wormhole." She paused, her expression turning cheeky. "But I do recommend you buy the blue one, he'll like that."

"Annika!"

"Nope, 'the look' won't work." She grinned. "I will say this, it's someone you least expect." Annika decided now was the time to make her retreat. Her gaze landed on Keelah looking at a row of nightgowns. "Keelah looks like she needs some help choosing." Thrusting the red set and negligee at the doctor she practically skipped away.

Janet watched her friend go, feeling exasperated, annoyed and reluctantly curious. She glanced down at the intimate apparel clutched in her hands. Ah, what the hell. It had been a long time since she had treated herself to a bit of luxury. She headed for the dressing room to make sure they would fit.

"Do you think Teal'c would like this?" Keelah looked up at Annika's approach, pointing to a glittery green outfit.

"Um...I haven't really given Teal'c's taste in lingerie much thought," Annika admitted, hiding a smile at seeing Janet winding her way to the fitting room, stopping only to select a second bra set in the same electric blue as the negligee.

"You don't think it's too..." Keelah struggled to find the right word. "Tawdry?"

"It doesn't matter what I think," Annika gave her full attention to Keelah. "What do you think?"

"Um...perhaps it's a little too revealing?"

"Then put it back. If it makes you uncomfortable then that will show when you wear it."

"Isn't the idea to choose something your partner would like?" Confusion creased her brow.

"No. Well, yes, but primarily lingerie is to make you feel good; to make you feel sexy, even if no one except you sees it on." Annika paused. No wonder so many of their alien friends found Earth culture confusing. She'd never had to put in words before the 'significance' of what she considered everyday things. "Teal'c wouldn't want you to wear something that makes you feel bad about yourself. It would make him uncomfortable and then you'd both be uneasy. And that's no way to start off a love session."

"But if Teal'c would like it..."

"Teal'c would find you enticing in a paper bag." Annika took the negligee and placed it back on the rack. "Let's find something you like."

A little dubiously Keelah started looking at a new rack.

"How about this one?" Annika held up a negligee in a soft gold. The lace trim on the hem lengthened the silk to just above the knee, the matching trim on the bodice would hint at the cleavage it hid.

Keelah's eyes lit up, then dimmed a little as she turned the garment around to see it was quite low cut in the back. "I would have to try it on." Her gaze darted around to make sure no one else was near. "I have...blemishes...that are unsightly."

Annika frowned. "Blemishes?"

"I do not know if that is the correct word." The ex-slave's voice dropped lower. "Marks from the whip."

"Oh." The redhead nodded in understanding, cursing herself for not thinking of that before. "Okay, well, try it on and we'll take it from there." She guided the way to the fitting rooms.

A few minutes later there was only silence from behind the curtain.

"Keelah, is everything okay?"

Silence.

"Keelah?" Annika peeked through the curtain.

The woman, half twisted with her back to the mirror was on the verge of tears as she looked at her reflection. "I...I didn't realize they went up so high."

White and pink scar tissue crisscrossed from her shoulder blades down, the pattern becoming thicker towards the small of her back.

Annika battled down a surge of anger at the man who had tortured her friend so repeatedly. "Surely Teal'c doesn't care about the scars. If I know him, he would consider them a badge of honor of what you've survived."

Keelah bit her lip. Wished she could tell the truth and say that Teal'c hadn't seen them at all. "I care about them," she replied softly.

Robenia hadn't meant to eavesdrop yet nonetheless she had heard the last part of the quiet conversation between the two friends. She lightly touched Annika's elbow to draw her attention. "How high does the scarring go?" she whispered.

Annika indicated on herself to where the scarring started.

"I may have something." She disappeared into the back room.

Annika poked her head back into the fitting room, a sudden idea hitting her. Berated herself for not thinking of it when Keelah had first arrived. She didn't want to raise Keelah's hopes without confirming if it was even possible. Decided to try to cheat a little with her psychic radio. She reached out to touch one of the scars that was less healed than the others. "Do they hurt?"

Keelah shook her head. "Only the memory."

With the former slave thinking of her scars, Annika focused her concentration, hoping for a flash of the future rather than the past. To her delight her gift cooperated. She lowered her voice. "Sam may be able to help clear them up a bit."

"Really?" Keelah hardly dared to hope. "Wait...not Janet?"

"It's not precisely a medical procedure, more a technological healing." Annika made sure no one was within earshot. "A device from the base. It won't get rid of them completely," she warned.

"Any reduction would be such a blessing."

"What are you two whispering about?" Sam appeared beside Annika, toting a mix of lingerie.

"Sam, can you use the...gadget," Annika mimicked the motion of the Goa'uld healing device, "to help with Keelah's scars?"

The blonde blinked at the redhead, then glanced at Keelah, catching sight in the mirror of her tortured back. "Damn." She gave a headshake of self-derision then met Keelah's gaze. "I'm sorry. Should have thought of that a long time ago."

"Yeah, we've been a bit slow on the uptake." Annika gave Keelah an apologetic smile.

Keelah was stunned. These people had given her freedom, given her a home, accepted her into their very tight circle of friends and now they were apologizing for offering such a wonderful gift. "With how busy you are..."

"No excuse. We'll detour on the way home," Sam promised.

"Not a detour to another shop I hope." Janet had only heard the last part of Sam's comment. "My credit card really will need time in intensive care after I buy these." She caught the serious tone from the others. "What'd I miss?"

Sam quickly explained, and to Keelah's surprise the petite doctor's expression also turned to one of guilty chagrin.

"Ladies, let me be the first to say that we have been self-absorbed idiots."

Annika and Sam agreed with Janet's sentiment.

"No, no, you've all been wonderful!" Keelah leapt to their defense, not willing to hear a negative utterance about them even if it did come from their own mouths. "It doesn't matter about the scars, honestly, you've all been so kind-"

"Nuh uh, not another word," Annika butted in. "We're stopping at the base and that's that."

At the firm nods from Sam and Janet, Keelah felt a lump form in her throat. 'Thank you' seemed so inadequate for the overwhelming gratitude she was feeling at the moment. She said it anyway. The Gods really must have been watching over her that day on the slave trader’s block.

Robenia had been waiting back a little ways, not wanting to intrude on the group's conversation. The women hadn't been speaking loud enough for their words to be overheard, however, she could tell just by the way they had rallied around the lady with skin the color of milky coffee that they were part of a close knit group. Given that this was a military town, she suspected they were wives with husbands in the same unit, for she'd quite a few of those 'cliques' come in since she opened her shop. When there was a break in the conversation she caught Annika's attention, holding up the garment she had gone in search of. "Is this the kind of gown your friend would prefer?"

Keelah hesitantly peeked over Annika's head, her face breaking out into a smile at the item. It was made of the same golden material as the low cut gown she still had on, but it had a much higher panel in the back. Instead of thin straps, it had a soft frill of material that would cover her shoulders. It was a little lower cut in the bodice yet not excessively so. "It looks perfect."

The shop owner smiled, glad that she'd been able to provide something to suit. "It comes with matching g-string or bikinis."

Annika took the gown and passed it through to Keelah to try. "Thank you."

"Any time. Just let me know if there's anything else I can get for you." Robenia smiled and backed away, giving the women space to make their choices without any pressure.

Twenty minutes later they were all at the cash register ringing up their purchases.

Robenia eyed the quite large selection of garments the women had bought. She'd seen how Annika had 'sold' the items the shortest of the four now held, and had heard the advice given in the fitting room that had helped convince the blonde to purchase the teddy and negligee. And the coffee skinned lady was shyly but happily clutching her bag containing the second gold nightie as well as a cream silk bra set. And that wasn't counting the items Annika had bought for herself. "Don't suppose you'd like a job?"

"Sorry, I've already got one." Annika tucked her credit card away and picked up her parcel. She had settled on two of the specialty line and a short pajama set. "But I'll be sure to send business your way."

She gave a nod of thanks. "I hope you enjoy your purchases."

Janet carefully examined the end result. "You might be a little tender for a day or so, so don't do anything strenuous."

"I won't." Keelah slid her hands across her back, marveling at how in just a few minutes the bumps and welts had all but disappeared. She could barely feel the ones that remained. She raised her eyes to Sam. "I don't know how I can ever repay you." Shifted to others. "All of you."

"Think nothing of it, just glad to help," Sam replied, a little embarrassed by the awe and gratitude reflected on the woman's face. She changed the subject. "The guys should be finished up with the refit by now. How about we go find them?"

"I'll get this back to the lab," Janet picked up the hand device. "And do a quick check in with the infirmary."

"Snap inspection, huh?" Annika grinned.

"Gotta keep them on their toes," the CMO confirmed with a chuckle.

Their first port of call was Daniel's office, knowing that would be where the men would congregate. To their surprise the office was empty.

"I guess the refit didn't go as planned," Keelah murmured.

"When does anything go as planned around here?" Sam gave a wry grin, reaching for the phone and dialing the extension for hanger C. After a few long seconds when no one picked up, she tried the first check in point to the Mountain to see when they had signed out and if they had returned. After a few seconds she hung up. "They just arrived back, they should be down any minute."

"Why did you not join them doing the refit today?" Keelah asked. She had been present at the numerous brainstorming sessions that had taken place over the last few days, both on base and in their down time at home. Two entire days had been dedicated to preparing the targets and other equipment, and it had very much been a group effort, the women giving just as much input as the men. Still learning the customs of Earth she wondered if certain tasks were gender specific.

"Boys and their toys," Sam replied dryly.

Annika gave an indulgent chuckle of agreement. "They had so much fun yesterday doing the first refit that we made the executive decision to leave them to it today so we could have our fun shopping." The guys, including Teal'c, had been like little kids as they set up the 'puzzle' of the simulation, picking which 'bad guys' should go where and where the 'decoys' would spring out from. "And with you being so new to these parts it was a perfect excuse. We convinced Hammond that taking you on a shopping trip would help with your adjustment to our way of life."

Keelah recognized the signs of warm teasing. "So glad I could be of assistance."

There were quick familiar steps in the corridor, signaling the arrival of the men.

"Are you all okay?"

Annika raised an eyebrow at Daniel's opening question as he entered the room with Jack and Teal'c close behind. "Why wouldn't we be?"

"It's only two o'clock."

"Your point being?" Sam prodded.

"Well," Jack drawled, dropping an arm around his fiancée's shoulders, "there's at least four good hours of shopping time left and you're here, not there."

"We figured there must have been a bomb scare or a fire for you to vacate the mall before closing," Daniel grinned, his arms wrapping around Annika's waist.

"Very funny." She hugged him back then said seriously, "But do you think it's a bad sign that my credit card spontaneously combusted?"

"We'll get Thor to clone you a new one," he laughed.

"Did you enjoy yourself?" Teal'c asked, coming to stand beside Keelah, his hand linking with hers.

She nodded. "It was fun." Her gaze unconsciously darted to Annika and lingered a moment on Sam. "And very rewarding."

The men didn't miss the look of gratitude and their partners' returning smiles.

Jack cleared his throat. "So you're here because..."

"You know us, we just can't get enough of the place."

Jack rolled his eyes as Janet entered. "Doc, you're here too? Does nobody understand the concept of what a day off means?"

"Enlighten us, Jack." Annika couldn't help teasing her friend.

"You go off the base. As in don't step foot back on base until your day off is over."

"Seems like a simple concept," Sam pretended to mull the idea over.

"And yet, none of you get it," Jack groused.

"I guess that's why they made you a general," Annika quipped.

Jack wagged a finger at Keelah. "Don't let these workaholics corrupt you."

"I'll try not to," she agreed solemnly though her smile threatened to escape.

"Sweet. At least someone around here is willing to listen to reason." Jack clapped his hands together. "Right, in my capacity of General, I am decreeing that as of now everyone in this room is officially off duty and ordering us off the base."

Janet grimaced as they all headed for the elevator. "I'll have to take a rain check, General."

"Doc, day off. Everyone's entitled, even God had one to relax and fish by the lake."

"God wasn't dealing with half the base personnel off with the flu," she replied dryly. "My crew is short staffed. I'll get a lift home with Dodger, I know he's intending to see Cassie tonight."

"Fine," he conceded. Being the first to step onto the lift he held the door open for everyone else. "You're reprieved."

"We'll drop your purchases off on our way home," Sam promised.

"This flu is hitting hard and fast, isn't it?" Annika's casual question, which was simply making conversation, prompted a nagging in her mind. She tried to hold on to it. Annoyingly it refused to focus.

"At the rate it's going there won't be any teams going off-world in the next few days," the doctor sighed. So far there had been five missions pushed back due to team members showing the first symptoms of the virus. While the flu was generally considered an irritating inconvenience for the personnel, no one was going to risk infecting a planet's population who may not have the antibodies to combat it. "So much for flu shots."

"Well, SG-1 are still robust and hardy!" Jack declared, as they arrived at level twenty-five.

They bid farewell to Janet and headed for the locker room for the men to change into their civvies.

"If you have just jinxed us, O'Neill, I shall not be amused," Teal'c warned.

"Nah, don't be so superstitious."

"Superstitious nothing," Daniel backed up Teal'c. "Murphy's Law sticks to us like a burr in fur."

"I'll buy you all a rabbit's foot to fight off the wicked curse." Jack raised an eyebrow when Sam started to edge away from him. "What's with you?"

"You're going to get struck by lightning and I don't want to be anywhere near you when it happens," she replied with a straight face.

"Funny, Carter," Jack scowled disappearing into the locker room.

"I'm with Sam," Annika remained outside with Sam and Keelah. "I think it's safer out here."

Daniel pretended to weigh up the options. "Maybe I'll just change at home."

"Daniel!" Jack's arm shot out and yanked the archaeologist into the room with him.

Teal'c made a show of saying a short prayer before resolutely following.

Over the chuckles from everyone else, Jack's mutter of "Everyone's a comedian," was clearly heard.

When the team emerged from the Mountain, Annika and Keelah collected their shopping treasures from Sam's car and the respective couples went their separate ways. Sam detoured as promised to drop off Janet's purchases while Jack headed to their place, intending to take advantage of the rare free afternoon by catching up on the small things that kept getting put aside during the week. He figured that if he could get the 'weekend chores' done today, then when the weekend actually dawned, he and Sam could take off for the cabin first thing. They weren't down for a mission until Tuesday, which gave them three days to spend relaxing by the lake. Daniel and Teal'c, who had ridden in together that morning, helped their partners with their numerous parcels. It took quite a bit of effort to find the room for the four of them and their 'goodies' in the jeep.

"Did you leave anything in the stores?" Daniel teased, tucking the last bag under the front seat.

"Just doing our part to boost the economy," Annika replied, flicking the lever on the passenger seat for Keelah to climb into the back. "And I know there's at least one purchase that you will find particularly interesting."

"Oh really?" He slid behind the wheel, not needing to shift his seat for Teal'c as the Jaffa had simply climb in from the side.

Annika gave Keelah a sly wink. "Found a store in a very handy location."

Daniel recognized the reference immediately and his head twisted around looking for the distinctive logo of the lingerie shop in the stowed shopping bags. He couldn't spot it but he supposed it could have been hidden in one of the other bags. "It has very nice merchandise, doesn't it?"

"Absolutely," Annika said innocently. "We all bought some little thing. You know, to support a new business and all."

"Oh sure," he agreed, starting the engine and pulling out of the parking space. His mind was already wondering which sexy little number his wife had chosen and when she would decide to wear it.

"You should see what Sam bought," she continued on conversationally then frowned. "Well, actually no you shouldn't, but it's gonna knock Jack's socks off this weekend."

"And your purchase?" he enquired, trying to stem the immediate flow of blood to a particular appendage.

"Purchases," she breezily corrected. "You'll just have to play your cards right."

Keelah watched as the sexual banter continued to flow as effortlessly between her friends as the wind that blew against their skin. Sighed a bit enviously at the unmistakable love that radiated between the two of them. She was pretty sure they had forgotten she and Teal'c were in the backseat. She didn't mind. It was fascinating to see what true love looked like, to witness the...she mentally searched for the right word...flirting, and the molten need that had flared up. She felt Teal'c's arm, which had automatically draped over the back of their seat, shift slightly across her shoulders. Her recently healed skin, as Janet had predicted, was a little sore and she tried not to wince. Didn't succeed because his face creased into a frown.

He leant close to her ear. "What is the matter?"

"Nothing," she assured. Despite the tenderness she felt exhilarated. The torture inflicted on her would be forever stamped in her memory, however, having the physical evidence diminished made it easier to bear. She knew that Teal'c wasn't convinced. Not wanting to mention the scar removal in case he considered it a sign of weakness, she voiced a different 'reason'. "I was just wondering if I will ever experience that kind of connection with another person." She motioned with her eyes to Daniel and Annika. "If I will ever feel comfortable enough to...tease in such a manner."

"I believe that you shall." Teal'c's voice was filled with confidence. "It may take time, but when the correct suitor comes into your life, he will give you the confidence to express your desire, as you will inspire the confidence in him to do the same."

"How will I know?" she asked, not at all sure she would recognize the signs.

Abiding by his agreement to assist Keelah in the ways of love, Teal'c offered some advice. "Observe the way Daniel Jackson's eyes have darkened at the hints Annika Jackson has given of what she has purchased," he said quietly. "The sparkle that exists in them. The slight flush to his cheeks."

Keelah was distracted from following the instruction, by the warm tingle that spread through her own body when Teal'c was forced to lean closer to be heard over the wind created from the open car ride. His soft baritone seemed to vibrate against her ear. It was also difficult to see, because Daniel was driving. He only occasionally turned his head to look at Annika as they spoke. She instead looked for the evidence Teal'c was describing on Annika since the redhead didn't have to concentrate on the road.

"The slight quickening of the pulse is another indication."

She gave it some thought. "It is similar to when we...when people," she corrected, "kiss?"

"Indeed," Teal'c confirmed.

"What are you two whispering about?"

Annika's mischievous voice made them both give a start.

"Discussing your purchases from 'Twilight Lace', Keelah?"

Flushing a bright pink, Keelah shook her head.

"Stop teasing," Daniel chided his wife, even as he noticed that his Jaffa friend seemed to pay attention to that little revealed detail.

Annika pretended to pout before dutifully changing the subject. "So how did the refit go?"

"It was most successful," Teal'c answered.

"Did the fake symbiotes worked as planned?" Keelah asked, trying to ignore the way his fingers seemed to automatically brush back and forth about the top of her arm now that they had an audience.

"They worked perfectly!" Daniel exclaimed.

The idea had been Teal'c's originally, though it had been a joint effort to transform the idea into reality. On the basis of making the simulation as real as possible they had designed targets to be Free Jaffa and Tok'ra operatives 'helping', and besides the obvious Goa'uld bad guy there was a Goa'uld in disguise trying to escape. For the two Goa'uld they had created symbiotes to emerge once the cutouts had been hit with weapons fire. Sam had installed heat sensors in the 'heads', so the snakes would immediately be drawn to the closest warm body, looking for a new host. They'd all had a whale of a time creating the symbiotes themselves, devoting a whole day to making over a hundred 'spares', giving the rubber snakes from a local toy store some personality with paint and feathers. To keep their project hidden, so the scuttlebutt of the base wouldn't give a heads up to the teams who would be taking the test, they had made their base of operations the Jackson house. They hadn't taken into consideration the puppies' reaction to having the snakes slither around when Daniel and Sam were testing the installed heat sensors, but in true SG-1 fashion they adapted. They recruited Hathor and Thor to be 'chasers', determining that if the puppies actually caught one of the symbiotes they had to increase the speed of the devices. They had also designed and painted the people 'characters' of the cutouts. Annika with the help of Keelah, whom they discovered had quite the artist's eye, had drawn the outlines of the numerous Jaffa, townsfolk and Goa'uld, while the others had filled in the color.

"Hammond and Ferretti were our guinea pigs."

"Really?" Annika raised an eyebrow. "How did the General go?"

"I was impressed by General Hammond's performance," Teal'c admitted.

"Me too," Daniel nodded. "He was the one who identified the hidden Goa'uld."

"The woman and child?" The redhead didn't try to hide her surprise. The hints they had given on those cutouts were pretty subtle, especially when the decision of whether they were 'friend or foe' had to be made within a couple of seconds. At first glance it looked like the characters were simple townsfolk trying to get out of the way of the battle. However, if the direction of the child's expression was taken into account, the little girl was looking up in terror at her supposed mother rather than at the warriors shooting at them. Though the 'mother' had been dressed in a simple traveling cloak, they had painted it so the cloak was partly open revealing a metallic shimmer to the 'royal' robes underneath. The side view of her outstretched hand showed two finger caps in gold with only the barest hint of the red jewel of a ribbon device nestled in the palm.

"I guess General Hammond paid more attention to the mission reports than what we gave him credit for," Daniel shrugged. There had been numerous documented incidents where the Goa'uld had used children as a human shield and they weren't above disguising themselves as commoners to blend into the crowd to save their hides.

"How did they both react to the symbiote emerging?" Keelah asked.

Daniel chuckled. "I have never seen two men jump back so quickly before." He gave Annika's hand a mock comforting pat. "I'm afraid Spike didn't survive." He referred to one of the symbiotes Annika had created. They had run out of the dark colored feathers for the 'fins', so she had added a white feather and 'christened' him Spike in honor of the evil Gremlin from the movie.

"Que sera, sera," she gave a deep sigh.

"Unfortunately the Tok'ra also did not survive," Teal'c continued on with the summary of results. "We are considering shifting the cutout's location to a more obvious 'assistance' position. Perhaps in front of a group of peasants escaping to the back of the simulation, giving the impression of protecting their retreat."

"What about the Free Jaffa?"

"Ferretti caught that," Daniel answered his wife's question then grimaced. "Barely. He was aiming ready to fire, then at the last possible second he realized the Jaffa was aiming at another Jaffa across the square. He was already pulling the trigger but he managed to alter his aim enough so that it just missed it."

Annika frowned. "It sounds like we made the simulation too easy."

"We also had that concern," Teal'c replied. "Until General Hammond pointed out that Major Ferretti has had as much experience as SG-1 in off-world scenarios, and himself vicariously through every mission report."

"Tomorrow he's going to send a couple of less experienced teams to trial it out," Daniel said, pulling into their home driveway. "If they pass every trick first go, then we'll try to make it harder."

The four of them began climbing out of the car and gathering their things.

"You guys got any plans for the afternoon?" Annika asked handing over a shopping bag to Keelah. She knew that Teal'c probably wasn't the best person to offer advice on 'bumming around', considering he had spent almost a century in constant servitude. The saying 'the blind leading the blind' came to mind.

"I thought perhaps to show Keelah some movies of worth from your culture," Teal'c answered, though he raised a questioning eyebrow at Keelah for her approval. Smiled at her eager nod.

"Uh, Teal'c," Daniel juggled a couple of boxes while trying to single out the house key from the others on the key ring. "You do realize there are other movies beside the Star Wars series, don't you?"

"The series is an interesting reflection of how the general population imagine how life beyond Earth could be," the Jaffa defended his favorite movie set.

"True, but doesn't it seem like bringing work home with us?" Annika did a final sweep of the jeep to make sure they hadn't missed any bags. "If you feel like something different, you're welcome to check out our DVDs."

"Thank you," Keelah smiled. "I shall bear that in mind should Star Wars not hold my attention." She darted a glance at Teal'c, unsure if he had picked up on the slight teasing, and if he had, if he would approve.

Teal'c's lips twitched. "As long as it is not part of the 'chick flick' genre then I do not mind what we watch."

With smiles the couples parted ways. As soon as Annika stepped inside, she dumped her parcels on the floor and flopped onto the couch. "Shopping is exhausting."

"Too tired to give me a peek at what you bought?" Daniel was still looking in vain for the lingerie bag.

"You're interested in my new pair of jeans and the funky boots I got for a bargain price?" She watched amused as Daniel rifled through the bags looking for one particular logo.

"I was thinking more along the lines of nightwear."

"It's still daylight," she pointed out.

"I'm not one to stick to convention." He frowned at the bags. There wasn't one piece of lingerie in the entire lot. "Alright, I give up, where have you hidden it?"

"In the most sacred of all places, where no sane man is game enough to search."

Daniel considered her cryptic reply then his gaze honed in on the oversized handbag she usually carried, that was still draped over her shoulder. A woman's handbag, even his wife's, was a definite no go zone. He long suspected that every female's handbag had the magical properties of Mary Poppins's carpetbag, a never ending abyss that could hold and lose a small city. "Please?"

Annika chuckled at those gorgeous blue eyes that were wide with hopefulness and pent up desire. "No more persuasion than that?"

In two steps he was across the floor, his hands cupping her face. He showered her with playful kisses, starting with a light peck on her nose and forehead, then trailed across her cheeks until he captured her lips. He gently sampled her full lips then deepened the kiss. Knew that the fission of fire that raced through his body was reciprocated by his wife from the way her tongue delved into his mouth to dance with his. "I would be very appreciative in my thanks," he promised.

"Well, I do have a pair of pajamas that I could try on," she murmured, a gasp escaping when he dipped his head to kiss the pulse at her neck.

"Need a hand putting it on?" he asked hopefully, continuing to nuzzle her neck.

"If you insist," she agreed amicably, wrapping her arms around his neck. He scooped her up into his arms and headed for the stairs.

By the time they made it to the upper landing all thoughts of Annika trying on the new purchase had evaporated. The arousal that had begun with innuendo in the car and fueled by the kisses downstairs, refused to be denied. A couple of hours later they lay panting to catch their breath between the sheets.

Annika lay comfortably draped on top of Daniel, relishing the sweet musky smell of their lovemaking that lingered in the air. "Now this is how an afternoon off should be spent."

"No argument here." His arms wrapped around her, loving how he could feel the rapid rat-a-tat-tat of her heart beating in time against his. "I never did get to see what you bought."

She started to slide a little off him to reach down to the side of the bed where her handbag had been unceremoniously dropped. Chuckled when Daniel gave a grumble of disapproval at the movement. "I'm not going far."

Annika snagged the strap of her bag and tugged it onto the bed. Indulging her husband she didn't attempt to 'disconnect' them, simply sat up so she straddled his hips. She rummaged for a moment for the correct item in the shopping bag, having no intention of revealing the rest of her purchases until she could plan just the right scene. Unwrapping the garments, she quickly donned the top, not totally unaware of the effect her wiggling torso was having on Daniel. "What do you think?"

Daniel quirked an eyebrow at the sheer little black bodice with delicate white embroidery and spaghetti thin straps. His finger hooked the 'bottoms', which was nothing more than a g-string. "That's your definition of a pajama set?"

"You don't approve?" she asked innocently.

"Did I say that?" He very much approved, and his body was about to give a standing ovation. "It's just 'pajamas' conjure up an image of floppy cotton with drawstring pants."

"Oh, I'm sure there's a drawstring here somewhere." She ran her hands slowly over the sheer material searching for the elusive ribbon.

"I'm sure given time I can find it," he replied, his hands already beginning the hunt, starting with the soft embroidery covering her equally soft breasts.

Their renewed lovemaking was the only sound to echo off the walls for the rest of the afternoon. They did manage to make their way down to the kitchen when their hunger for food intruded, only to return upstairs to share a wonderfully relaxing bath before ending up in bed again.

There was only one event that disrupted their decadent time of relaxation. In the wee hours of the morning, the steady even breathing of sleep was replaced by a sharp terror filled scream. Both of them bolted into a sitting position, hearts pounding.

"Are you okay?" Daniel had recognized immediately where the scream had originated, though he knew it would take a couple of seconds for Annika to realize it had come from her own throat. He rubbed a soothing hand up and down her back, also knowing that anything more in these first few moments would make her feel hysterically claustrophobic. "Deep breaths, My Angel, deep breaths."

"You never have to apologize when this happens," he said quietly yet firmly. Now that Annika could speak, it was okay to draw her into his arms and comfort her as he instinctively wanted to. She relaxed easily into his embrace and they lay back down. Annika twisted, as he knew she would, so that she was facing him, her arms wrapping around him, clinging to him. "Was it the same dream as before?" He felt her nod against his chest, then shake the negative.

"All of us were dead...again," she started stiltedly. "But this time it wasn't staff blasts...it...there were no physical wounds..." her voice tapered off.

"What else was different?" he probed, hearing the pregnant pause of her deciding of whether or not to describe the nightmare that had been haunting her dreams almost every second night since they had used the Ancient device on Anubis.

"Someone was watching. I couldn't see who."

Her fingers twitched against his chest. Daniel guessed what she wanted to do, but given the 'failure' of the action from the previous nights, was reluctant. He gently grasped her hand, kissed the tips of her fingers as he drew them upwards and then placed her palm against his forehead. "Try and show me."

She gave him a grateful smile. The nightmare she was pretty sure was just that, yet there was a nagging voice in her mind that asked, 'What if this time it wasn't?' She concentrated on the dream, going through the routine of transferring her visions to her husband. Had mixed emotions when it wouldn't travel down their bond. "Just a nightmare."

"We all have nightmares," he said quietly. He had been having nightmares his entire life. When he was a child he'd read the mythology of some particularly vengeful gods and had nightmares for weeks. Then again after witnessing his parents deaths, those nightmares had lasted for years and admittedly he still had that particular one to this day. And that wasn't even taking into account the new horror fodder for his dreams since working at the SGC. Nightmares were an unpleasant part of being human. Given recent events, it wasn't surprising that Annika was also having them.

"I know," she sighed. Daniel had also had a recurring nightmare recently, waking up in a cold sweat calling out her name. He'd reluctantly told her what it had been about. His mind kept replaying the moment when Anubis had attacked her mind, only in the dream she either never recovered or even worse, Anubis had fully possessed her and they'd been forced to kill her. "It's just so damned annoying. I'm used to my dreams being an extension of my abilities, not my own psyche playing tricks. I hate not being able to tell the difference."

"I will always be here to help make the distinction," he promised, placing a kiss to her forehead.

"And I'm eternally grateful for that." Her arms tightened around him. "I'm so lucky to have you."

"And I to have you."

As they drifted back off to sleep, the irony wasn't lost on Daniel. Both of them were having nightmares; nightmares that wouldn't be happening if they hadn't met. Yet neither of them had even one regret of the day that the Fates had brought them together. The worry and concern they felt for each other from the risks of their daily life which prompted the nightmares, was a small price to pay for the 'reward' of having each other's love. Living without that love would be what would cause the real-life night terrors.