Location: SGC Guest Quarters

POV: Marina Karssen

Rina lay stretched out on her bed, staring fixedly at the ceiling of her drab room.

It probably wouldn't be so bad if she had the option to decorate it, but her captors hardly seemed inclined to supply her with anything frivolous.

Besides, it's a prison. It's not supposed to be pretty.

Though her last prison had been pretty enough. More than pretty, rather.

She recalled her former bed, two or three times the size of her current one, lightly shadowed by the overhanging canopy, the room it sat in so large and open...and unguarded.

She had come and gone as she pleased, beyond her room, even beyond the stronghold. If she'd so desired, she perhaps could've made that whole planet her playground. But she'd never wandered much farther than the stargate. After all, she had no desire in leaving that prison.

She hadn't even seen it as a prison at all.

Rina sighed, rolling onto her side and slowly uprighting herself. How many days had it been since she'd arrived at the SGC? It must've been at least two or three.

I'm going to lose my mind staring at these walls...

She glanced at the clock on the wall, despising it for how slowly it ticked away.

11:45. Close enough.

Rising lazily to her feet, she crossed the room to the door, pushing it open.

"Is there something I can help you with, miss?" came the now painfully familiar query.

She gave the guard a sidelong look, radiating annoyance.

"I'm hungry. I'm going to the cafeteria."

It's just about the only place I CAN go in this god-forsaken facility.

"I'll escort you then."

"As always," Rina muttered, half-slamming the door behind her.

Location: SGC Mess Hall

POV: Daniel Jackson

Daniel strode into the mess hall, eyes still fixed on his notes. If not for Carter reminding him to eat something, he probably would've bypassed lunch entirely. It felt ironic though, given that Carter herself often got so wrapped up in her research that she entirely forgot regular mealtimes.

I'll have to repay the favor sometime.

Though lately Carter had taken to having later lunches with Teal'c. Daniel, however, hadn't given much thought as to why.

He caught sight of a uniform in his peripheral vision and narrowly dodged to avoid running into its wearer.

"Sorry," he said, briefly looking up from his papers to see the man standing there.

"No worries, Dr. Jackson," they replied easily.

Daniel noted the airmen's resting position, hands folded behind his back, eyes straight ahead.

"Waiting for someone?" Daniel asked curiously.

"I've been tasked with keeping watch on Miss Karssen," the airmen said, gesturing to one of the cafeteria tables.

There sat Marina, slowly working through her meagre meal.

"Oh..."

He hadn't seen much of her the past few days outside of her regular visits to the mess hall and her occasional meandering walks through the halls of Stargate Command. Though he'd ultimately decided to take a page out of Teal'c's book and give her ample space, especially after learning of her flat refusal to cooperate with Hammond's requests.

It was obvious Marina didn't trust anyone at the SGC. And they couldn't trust her. It was a situation where nobody won. But for now...it was their reality.

Daniel threw together an assortment of food on his tray and headed for the nearest table, eyes flitting between Karssen, his notes, and his chosen seat.

Then Marina looked up, her eyes meeting Daniel's. He promptly dropped his gaze back to his notes, settling himself and his tray at the table before him. He bent his head over the pages, sinking himself back into his work while he absentmindedly forked food into his mouth.

A minute later, the clunking of a tray hitting the opposite side of the table wrenched his attention away from in-progress translations under his nose. Marina casually leaned across the tabletop, peering curiously at the pages.

"What are you doing?" she asked slowly.

"Just working on some translations," Daniel answered, feeling put off by the unceremonious interjection.

"Oh, so you're into languages?"

"Yes, I'm a linguist."

"Really? How many languages do you know?"

"Twenty-three."

Karssen's eyebrows rose, her lips twisting into a skeptical smile. "You're lying."

Daniel furrowed his brows, feeling decidedly more put off.

"I'm not." He leaned forward, cutting her off before she could respond, "I'm sorry, what are you doing?"

"I am inconceivably bored so I'm sitting here talking to you."

"Thanks," Daniel said, his tone a mix of sarcasm and confusion.

Was he to feel complimented by the fact that she'd chosen his company over her own, or insulted at how he'd suddenly been reduced to entertainment?

"So do you speak Goa'uld?" Marina pressed.

"Yes," Daniel answered reluctantly, stabbing his fork back into his food and wishing this line of questioning would end.

"Chel'nok."

Daniel blinked. Marina simply smiled, spooning some jello into her mouth from the tall glass on her tray.

"How did you learn to speak Goa'uld?"

"I had reason to learn," she answered shortly.

"How—"

"Daniel!" The sound of Jack's airy voice at his shoulder cut him short, O'Niell casually sliding into the spot next to him. "What's going on?"

"Apparently Marina can speak Goa'uld."

"Huh. You know, are you sure you aren't actually just Goa'uld?" Jack asked Karssen sardonically, "I mean, Fraiser mentioned the whole glowing eye thing. Oh! And of course, there's the fact that you seem to resent us for rescuing you from Apophis' goons, bringing you somewhere safe, and all that."

Daniel sighed in annoyance. "Jack—"

"What? Am I wrong?" Jack queried, spreading his hands in mock innocence.

Marina appeared unfazed.

"Jack, was it? Say, is that short for jackass?"

O'Niell gave her a dry smile. "Cute."

Daniel couldn't help himself.

"Actually, that was pretty good."

"Daniel," Jack said warningly.

"Well." Marina pushed herself to her feet, snatching the glass of jello from her tray. "I think I'll finish my lunch in my cell. My overseer—" She gestured to the airman standing at the cafeteria entrance, her tone purely sardonic. "—has been doing such a good job, I hate to keep him standing in one place for very long. It's good to move around, get some exercise. Lek tol," she concluded airily, offering a noncommittal wave.

There was a pause as she sauntered away.

"What did she just say to me?" Jack queried, his tone implying he suspected an insult.

"'Lek tol.' It means 'goodbye', 'signing off', that sort of thing," Daniel answered wearily, adding quickly, "Was that really necessary?"

"What?" Jack said, again feigning innocence.

"We're trying to convince her we want to help," Daniel reminded him.

Jack blinked.

"I'm sorry. I thought that was obvious...given we saved her life."

"The fact is, if the weapon didn't need a host, she'd probably be dead already," Daniel pointed out grimly, "She probably thinks her rescue was in our own best interest, not hers."

"I'd gather that from how she's acting like she's been taken hostage," Jack said sourly.

"Well, technically, we are holding her hostage."

Jack pulled a face. "Don't be a smartass."

"I'm just saying, I think you could afford her a little more patience," Daniel said, exhaling heavily before adding, "She's been through a lot."

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Jack sobered. "I know."

Daniel didn't have to ask to know Jack was picturing the same moment as him. The incident at the infirmary had been haunting for all of them.

And he knew Jack of all people could recognize PTSD when he saw it.

They finished the meal in silence, leaving the mess hall together. They'd barely just entered the hall, however, when they saw Carter and Teal'c headed their way, each stride communicating urgency.

This can't be good...

Teal'c was first to speak.

"There is news," he said, his speech notably quickened.

"You won't like it," Carter said, specifically addressing O'Niell.

"That's rather...ominous," Jack said, a note of uncertainty creeping through his characteristic levity.

"Well," Daniel said, bracing himself, "Don't keep us in suspense."

"Janet came and told me first thing," Carter said quickly, "She was called into Hammond's office and asked about Marina Karssen." She faltered a moment, turning her gaze back on Jack. "Sir...it's Maybourne."

Location: SGC Level 27

SG-1 filed hastily down the hall toward the General's office, Jack practically throwing the door open in his haste. Hammond had his red phone pressed to his ear, but he nontheless appeared surprisingly understanding of the intrusion, gesturing silently to the next room over. Jack nodded discerningly, hurriedly retreating from the office and heading into the briefing room.

It was empty.

Daniel exchanged confused glances with the others. Then Jack was on the move again, jogging into the hall and grabbing the first person he saw.

"'Scuse me. Uh, did you see anyone with a punchable face pass through here recently?"

"Colonel Harry Maybourne from N.I.D.," Carter hastily clarified.

"Oh, yeah," the airman said, "He was asking where the weapon from P3X-134 was being kept. I told him the guest quarters on Level—"

Jack broke into a sprint before the man could finish, Daniel and the others hot on his heels. They raced for the nearest elevator, Jack spamming the button for the doors.

"Come on!" he hissed.

After a minute, the doors finally complied, SG-1 cramming onto the lift and waiting impatiently till it reached the correct level. As soon as the doors opened again, they were once more on the move, hastening toward the guest quarters.

They soon spotted Maybourne leisurely striding toward that very destination.

"Maybourne!" Jack shouted, quickening his pace further.

Teal'c picked up speed too, racing right past Maybourne and around the subsequent corner.

What is he up to? Daniel wondered silently.

Maybourne glanced after Teal'c unconcernedly before turning to greet O'Niell.

"Jack!" he called lazily, an unmistakable air of taunting in his voice.

It made Daniel's blood stir with contempt.

"Nice of you to go out your way to see me," Maybourne finished.

"I'd say it's a pleasure but, well, I'd be lying," Jack said.

"Jack, you're not trying to hurt my feelings, are you?" Maybourne said, feigning hurt.

"Cut the crap, Maybourne," Jack answered sharply.

Daniel took a step forward.

"What do you want with Marina Karssen?"

"I understand she's carrying a weapon rumored to be very powerful," Maybourne answered, "Just the sort of thing N.I.D. pays me to be interested in."

"And?" Jack pressed.

"I'd like to move her to a facility much better equipped to study her."

"Marina Karssen has refused to undergo any testing," Carter pointed out.

"Quite frankly, that's not her decision," Maybourne countered.

"She's an American citizen," Daniel protested.

"So she says. But that claim has been so far unconfirmed and is likely to remain that way."

"Hammond said she listed a specific address outside this state," Carter persisted, "How would she know something like that unless she'd been there?"

"That's a very good question, Captain Carter. Certainly raises some very potent questions about how well the SGC is maintaining the security of this country. Of course, that's hardly my concern, I'm just here to take custody of the weapon you obtained from—what was it?—P3X-something-or-other."

"P3X-134," Daniel corrected irritably.

"Right, that was the one," Maybourne said with an patronizing smile, "Now, if you'll excuse me."

He turned away, resuming his pace. Daniel cut ahead of him, haphazardly walking sideways so as to maintain eye contact with Maybourne and avoid being left behind. The others followed in the rear.

"What happens if her claim of citizenship is confirmed? What then?" Daniel snapped.

"Like I said, Dr. Jackson, it's highly unlikely."

"And what if you're wrong?"

"That's not my department."

Daniel faltered, Maybourne passing him as he tried to think up another excuse.

He thought back to the Tollans, wishing now that there were some way for Marina to be whisked away to safety as they had been.

Forcing his feet to move, he cut in front of Maybourne again.

"If you've talked to Dr. Fraiser, you'd know Marina Karssen is in no mental condition to be experimented on!"

Maybourne sighed, slowing his pace, "I've already been over this with your Dr. Fraiser and General Hammond. Besides, last time I checked, you were a doctor of archeology, Dr. Jackson, not psychology."

He turned the corner out of view. Daniel hesitated once more, feeling a sense of defeat weighing on him. Jack gave him a reassuring slap on the shoulder as he passed.

"Come on, buddy, we're not done," he said.

Daniel dragged himself into the next corridor, only to find Maybourne stopped dead in front of Marina's quarters, Teal'c's imposing form barring his path.

"You will go no further," Teal'c said, a dangerous light in his eye.

Location: SGC Guest Quarters

POV: Marina Karssen

The sound of voices drew Rina's attention to the door. It almost sounded as though an argument was taking place right outside. Curiosity pushed her to her feet. She moseyed across the room, cracking open the door and peering out. The first person she saw—to her displeasure—was Teal'c. The second was a uniformed man unrecognizable to her.

"This is ridiculous," he said, trying to push his way past Teal'c.

Quick as lightning, Teal'c's hand shot out, seizing the stranger's arm in what was obviously a painful grip given the expression on the man's face.

He stepped back, wrenching his arm free, fury in his eyes.

"Jack, how about you get your man under control," he said, rubbing his arm.

"Actually, I have half a mind to let him beat the shit out of you," O'Niell's voice replied.

The stranger's eyes burned hotter, his voice rising to a shout as he stabbed a finger at Rina's door.

"I have authorization to take custody of whatever's in that room!"

Rina's lip curled, her eyes narrowing. Whoever this man was, she decidedly disliked him.

He paused, his voice lowering back to a reasonable level.

"You forget, I have the President's ear. A few words from me and what do you think might happen to you?"

"Colonel Maybourne!" Hammond's voice boomed from down the hall, "I thought I ordered you to wait in the briefing room."

Maybourne turned to face the General.

"My apologies, General, I only seem to recall you asking me to wait in the briefing room."

"Well, forgive me for not making myself clear enough for you," Hammond snapped, "I won't make that mistake now. You can take your sorry ass off my facility this instant."

"I beg your pardon?"

"I spoke to the President," Hammond said, "And he agrees that if there's even a chance that Miss Karssen is an American citizen, she's to be afforded the same rights as anyone living under the protection of this country, until explicitly confirmed otherwise."

"That's ridiculous," Maybourne protested, "Even on the slim chance that she was legally American, she lived offworld for two consecutive years—"

Rina couldn't help herself. She burst from her room, rage flooding her veins.

"I was kidnapped, you stupid fuck!" she screamed.

Everyone turned to her in astonishment. Though their initial shock didn't last very long. Hammond quickly shook off his surprise, turning back to Maybourne.

"Anyway, that's not the only reason I want you gone, Colonel," he said, "You see, I don't take very kindly to people threatening my men. Teal'c has proved himself an invaluable asset on many an occasion. You'd do well to show him some respect."

Maybourne shot Teal'c a churlish expression, offering no apology.

"Very well," he said instead, "I'll see myself out."

"See that you do," Hammond called after him as he briskly strode away.

There was a brief silence.

"Somehow, I doubt that's the last we'll be seeing of him," Jack said.

"So you haven't been able to confirm my citizenship?" Rina asked Hammond.

"We have confirmed that a Marina Karssen was born to Bram and Hester Karssen at St. Catherine Hospital in Kanses," the General explained, "But your parents apparently no longer live at the address you listed and there've been no immediate leads on where they might've gone. But rest assured, my men won't stop searching until they're found."

Rina forced down her disappointment at the news.

"So those rights I'm promised," she said, swiftly changing the subject, "Somehow, I think keeping me locked away in a military complex doesn't exactly align with those."

"Without having any sort of understanding about this weapon, I can't risk the safety of the American people by allowing you outside this facility. I'm sorry. You won't be forced to undergo any testing, but unless we find a safe place to relocate you offworld, you'll have to remain as our guest. I hope you understand."

A part of her believed him. But it changed nothing. She was still a prisoner in all but name.

She glanced down the hall where Maybourne had disappeared just moments ago, querying, "What exactly was he planning to do with me?"

"Oh, nothing much, just turn you into a lab rat is all," Jack answered.

That's not surprising.

She turned her gaze on Teal'c, and for the first time, it wasn't a sense of loathing that filled her but rather curiosity. What exactly were his motives? Was he still secretly in service of Apophis, fighting to keep her close at hand so it'd be easier to return her to his lord? Or was he truly reformed as everyone here seemed to believe?

Teal'c saw her eyeing him and inclined his head in an almost gracious manner.

"Forgive me, I did not mean for my presence to upset you. I will take my leave at once."

With that, he strode away, turning into the next corridor and disappearing from view.

POV: Daniel Jackson

Something in Daniel's mind clicked. The late lunches with Carter suddenly made perfect sense.

Teal'c was trying to stay out of Marina's way...

And Carter most likely had found out, leading to her offering to have meals with him so he wouldn't be dining alone. Of course, as a bonus, her added presence had made it far less likely that either Jack or Daniel himself would guess at the real reason behind the change.

A mix of emotion weighed heavily in the pit of Daniel's stomach.

Marina had no idea what Teal'c was sacrificing for her.

"I should be returning to my office," Hammond remarked, offering Karssen a nod of farewell before following Teal'c's path.

Jack and Carter trailed after him, Daniel lingering behind. Jack shot him a questioning look over his shoulder but Daniel urged him on with a silent nod before turning to Marina. She was watching him carefully, one hand on the door of her room.

"Do you mind if we talk?" Daniel asked tentatively.

In response, Marina gestured grandly toward her room, welcoming him in. Daniel closed the door behind him as Karssen pulled out a chair. She didn't bother getting one for herself, opting instead to sit on the bed. She watched Daniel silently, her face expectant. He accepted his assigned seat slowly, running over what he wanted to say in his head.

If she was ever going to forgive Teal'c, she had to recognize on her own that he was a changed person. Daniel didn't intend to push that topic any further.

Instead, he asked, "What exactly do you know about the weapon?"

Marina gave a bitter laugh.

"Enough."

Daniel raised his eyebrows questioningly. "Such as?"

Marina exhaled sharply, her bitterness turning to anger. Daniel sighed, rubbing his hands over his face.

"Marina—"

"Enough to know I'm fucked, okay?" she snapped, "Every year, it grows; I can feel it." She flexed her hands agitatedly. "And eventually—"

She broke off, digging her nails into her forehead with a trembling hand.

"Marina..."

Daniel reached for her, trying to stop her from hurting herself. She jerked away.

"Don't. Just don't."

Daniel sighed. Silence stretched between them.

He tried again, "If we knew more about the weapon...maybe we could do something."

"Like what?" Marina hissed impatiently.

"I don't know, maybe help you control it enough that it's not a threat to other people," Daniel said, half rambling, "That way, you could maybe leave the SGC, go back to your old life."

"I don't want to go back to my old life," Karssen murmured, avoiding Daniel's gaze.

"Fine then. Maybe we could find a way to deactivate it. Or remove it. And then you can go wherever you want!"

Marina rolled her head back, a cynical smile donning her lips, her eyes fixed on the ceiling.

"So you're the 'naive optimist' type."

The smallest spark of anger rose within Daniel.

"Are you really afraid of being experimented on again? Or are you just afraid of being proven right?"

Marina dropped her gaze back to Daniel, a cold fire in her eyes. Though it couldn't disguise her shaky breathing or the subtle trembling of her lower lip.

"Get out," she hissed through gritted teeth.

Daniel reluctantly obliged, slowly crossing the room to the door and pausing with his hand on the knob. He turned back.

"You know, nothing will ever change if you don't let yourself believe that it can."

The sound of her bitter laughter met his ears again as she pushed off the bed, snapping upright.

"Do you think it was hope that kept me alive after Apophis kidnapped me? No...it was accepting that this was my new reality." She stepped forward, kicking Daniel's chair out of her path. "It was accepting that the only experience left to me was either rotting in a cell or Apophis cutting me open over and over again so he could make sure that the thing he put inside me was still growing like he wanted, and then stuffing me into a sarcophagus so we could repeat the process all over again!"

Daniel could only stare, feeling sick to his stomach.

Marina wasn't finished.

"So I'm sorry if I don't handle things the way you think I should," she half shouted, "I'm sorry your patronizing goody-two-shoes bullshit isn't as helpful as you think it is. But tell you what, when you figure out how to travel back in time and trade places with me, come talk to me. Until then, get the fuck out of my room!"

For a moment, Daniel stood rooted to the spot.

The next second, he was out in the hall, slamming the door shut behind him before slumping against it, his horror and defeat mingling together in an overwhelming concoction.

He wondered now if perhaps Teal'c wasn't the only one Marina might be disinclined to forgive...