something in the water

Author: Geonn

Email: neil_j_miser@yahoo.com

Rating: R

Pairings: Sam/f

Category: Action/Adventure

Disclaimer: These folks don't belong to me. I stole them from MGM's toybox without asking their mommies for permission. I promise to return them more or less unscathed.

Spoilers: Minor for "Children of the Gods," "Watergate," "Ascension"

Archive: Yes, just let me know where it'll be.

Notes: Some liberties have been taken with Gate physics. I tried to explain what happens to the best of my ability, but some suspension of disbelief is required towards the end.

Summary: SG-1 visits a world where a mysterious woman is idolized by the native population for her ability to control the weather.

Special Thanks to Hl for the banner.

Sound Clip


Chapter One,

"I never liked the rain until I walked through it with you
Every thunder cloud that came was one more I might not get through
On the darkest day there's always light and now I see it too
But I never liked the rain until I walked through it with you."
--Clint Black

P41-4C3, Faylinn. Two years ago;

The rolling hills of once-green pastures had long since turned brown from lack of rainfall. The sky was brilliantly colored a crystal clear blue, beautiful to an outside observer but deadly to the farmers who depend on their crops to survive. It had been almost an entire cycle since the rain last fell to the parched land.

In the middle of the day, when the sun stood sentry in the middle of the sky, the insignificant shape of a lone woman climbed the steep mountain that separated the village of Naiya from it's closest neighbor. Her name was Tae'ya. Her feet were bare, the soles scraped and bloody from her ascent. She paused occasionally, resting her head on her forearm before continuing. The climb was arduous, the sweat evaporating from her skin almost as soon as it had formed. She looked up, seeing her destination ahead, and redoubled her efforts. Her red hair was plastered to her forehead, her breaths coming in short gasps as she pulled herself higher on the rock face.

A glance over her shoulder would reveal her small village, rendered miniscule from her perspective. Hence, she didn't look down. Not even a glance. A glance had once proven fatal to a young man who had attempted to climb this rock face. He became disoriented and let his fingers slip away from his handhold. She closed her eyes, willing away the horrible image and continued upward.

Finally, after hours of climbing, she reached a level area covered with sparse grass. She pulled herself up, crawling along the wonderfully flat surface as she caught her breath. She had reached the top of the mountain. Now the real challenge began.

She stood, adjusting her robes and walking to the center of the plateau. The robes were lavender in color, hanging over her slim form like a curtain. Her legs, like her feet, were bare. She also hadn't bothered to put on her traditional undergarments when she left her tent that morning. The Elder would likely have a fit, but the binding garments were not the best gear for climbing. She sat, curling her legs up and tucking her feet under her rear end, drawing circles on the dirt in front of her. She looked up into the cloudless sky, her violet eyes dancing with the sunlight. "I'm here, momma," she whispered.

No one answered, of course. She brushed her dark scarlet hair behind her ear and returned her attention to her picture she was drawing before her. "We need rain, momma," she said. "It's so dry. No one can grow anything."

She remembered her mother only through photographs and paintings that her father kept in the small cabin they called home. Her mother had died twenty-three years ago when Tae'ya had been only an infant. Her father would only say that it was a sickness that had passed through and nearly destroyed the village.

Her fingers were dirty from trailing through the dirt. Tae'ya tilted her head to the side and then said, "Make it rain, momma. Make it rain." She began to cry, her tears the only real moisture she had felt in a long, long time. She didn't attempt to stop the tears. They coursed down her face, a few stray drops trailing down the pert tip of her nose and falling to the dirt before her. She sniffled a few times, continuing to trace circles in the dirt.

One teardrop on the plateau became two. Her tears continued to fall, impacting the dirt with a little more force each time. She stopped sniffling, raising her hand from the doodle to watch as the ground in front of her became pock-marked with small circles of water. Each droplet landed in a circle drawn by Tae'ya's hand. She looked up, blinking as the raindrops fell into her eyes. She rose slowly, the droplets soon becoming a full downpour. She danced, her robes plastering themselves to her body as she ran around the plateau, shouting "Thank you!" to her mother.


P41-4C3. Today.

Utter, absolute quiet met the team as they exited the Gate. Their weapons were drawn, their eyes scanning for hostiles among the vacant storefronts and abandoned service carts. They stood in what appeared to be a town square, the roads covered with small cobblestones. Two- and three-story buildings surrounded them, but all were currently dark. The flashlight beams cut from their guns, the oval lights dancing over and into empty windows. Major Samantha Carter was the first to lower her gun, straightening her stance and looking around. "Sir, I don't think there's anyone here."

"Yup," Colonel Jack O'Neill agreed, lowering his gun as well. "Looks like a simple malfunction." He walked to the MALP, slugging the machine with the palm of his hand. "Weren't we going to get night vision on these damned things?"

Carter ignored her COs gripe, but felt the need to defend the validity of the MALPs. She was, after all, head geek when it came to upgrading them. "I don't think it was a malfunction, Sir. It must've just been the fact that it's night here that caused the camera to send back nothing but a blank screen. The night vision cameras... they're in production," she finished weakly.

Teal'c was walking among the small shacks that local merchants had set up. "There is nothing here."

"Looks like the shop is closed for the night," Daniel Jackson muttered, looking up into the sky. "I'd say it's, ah... close to eleven. Maybe eleven-thirty."

Jack sighed, adjusting his weapon and checking it to ensure the safety was off. "Well, I'd say we're here. Might as well check this place out and see if they have anything to offer us."

"Sir," Sam said, looking at the dark streets, "it's the middle of the night. Everyone's asleep."

He shrugged. "Then there's no one to get in our way, now is there? C'mon, let's move out."

Jack led the way, randomly choosing one of the many city streets and heading down it. Daniel followed, then Sam and Teal'c. The entire group had their weapons ready, but none of them really expected to fire at anything they found. They saw candles burning in several windows, but closer inspection revealed that they simply served as nightlights.

Sam approached one of the windows, peering through the glass at what looked to be an extremely spartan bedroom. A man of about twenty-five was sprawled on the mattress of the small bed, covered by a thin sheet. The Major nervously stepped back, moving close enough to speak to Jack in hushed tones. "Sir, I don't feel right about sneaking around like this. Maybe we should set up camp and do a little recon in the morning."

"Well, that's a fine idea, Carter," he said, whispering as well. "But we usually set up camp near the Gate. I don't think it's too wise to unroll our sleeping bags in the center of the town square."

She nodded, falling back into position. As they turned a corner, she felt something wet on her ear. She paused, touching the drop and glancing up. Another drop landed just below her right eye, following the curve of her cheek to her chin. She looked back at Colonel O'Neill. "Sir..." She was cut off by a sudden deluge. Rain washed over the cobblestones, pounding furiously against the team. Sam grabbed the collar of her jacket and yanked it up and over her head. She called out the rest of her warning, "I think it's starting to rain!"

Jack glared at her through the monsoon, then called, "Okay, everyone back to the Gate!"

The team turned, running through the streets of the city as they searched for the path they had taken. Several wrong turns later, they made it to the Stargate in the center of town. Daniel nearly tripped over the DHD, yelling at Jack that he had found it. The Colonel turned, ordering the younger man to dial them home. Daniel ran his right hand over the symbols, wiping at his glasses with the other. Finally, he turned and called, "I can't see with all this rain, Jack!"

Sam gently pushed him out of the way, squinting as she searched for the address that would take them home. She found the first, pressing it and watching as it lit up.

Jack eyed the GDO on his wrist and held it up to Teal'c, asking, "Are these things waterproof?"

"It would be in our best interest if they were, O'Neill," the Jaffa reported, his voice only slightly raised above the rain.

As Sam pressed the fifth symbol, the rain suddenly stopped. All the noise ended and all visibility returned. Daniel looked blindly around for a moment, then pulled off his glasses and wiped them furiously on his jacket. Sam kept her hand poised over the sixth symbol, turning to Jack. "Should I continue dialing, Sir?"

Jack tapped the top of his gun, looking up at the sky as if it were simply trying to irritate him. "No... No, I think we're safe." He looked down, checking the water level. The town was flooded, the water already to his ankle. He raised his foot, then said, "These people maybe ought to invest in some street drains."

Sam nodded, kicking some water and stepped away from the DHD. "Shall we keep looking around, Sir?"

He sighed, pulling off his cap and shaking it, trying to get some of the excess water out. "No, Carter. Walking through water would cause a bit too much noise. Besides, I hate that sloshing sound wet socks make... Get that MALP moving and we'll roll it to the outskirts of town. Camp there and come back tomorrow."

"Um..." Daniel looked up at the sky, then said, "We're camping now? It's still three in the afternoon on Earth."

"We're not on Earth," Jack pointed out. "If we rest up now, we'll be on the local time. You know, awake when the locals are awake... It's more convenient than playing vampire." He pointed up at the dark, cloudless sky and added, "And hopefully when everyone's awake, we'll get an explanation for this... rainy night."

Daniel shrugged, throwing his pack onto the MALP as Sam pulled the control from the side of the lumbering machine. She activated it, leading it slowly through the shallow waters in the direction they assumed led to the outside of town. Fortunately, they chose correctly.

Within minutes, Sam was wheeling the MALP off the cobblestones and across a muddy field, trying to find  someplace suitable to spend the night. She paused, searching in both directions until she determined every available surface was still at least an inch underwater. She sighed. "Well, Sir," she reported, "unless you want to wake up with pneumonia, I suggest we search out higher ground." When she turned, she saw something she hadn't noticed before. "Or... I guess we could ask the people there if they have a room."

She pointed over Jack's shoulder, causing the older man to turn. Behind them, there was a small building shaped like an 'L,' each window on the side facing them alight with flickering candles. Jack scratched his arm, considering their options. "Well... I suppose it wouldn't hurt to ask." The building was about the size of a small hotel with a canopy that extended four or five feet from the side of the building. From the looks of it, the canopy extended the entire length of the structure.

As they started walking towards the incredibly inviting building, Daniel decided to be the voice of reason. "Um... what exactly are we going to say to these people? 'Hey, there, we're a bunch of aliens who just came to your planet and thought you looked like a hotel. Got a room?' What would *you* say?"

"We're not talking about me," Jack grumbled. "And besides, the first alien I was on a first-name basis with--" he patted Teal'c on the chest, "--took my offer to stay on Earth."

Daniel sighed. "Alright, alright... suppose it wouldn't be exciting if we didn't expose ourselves to danger at least once during a mission."

Sam smirked, patting him on the back as she directed the MALP towards the house.

---

The door was huge; at least three feet taller than Teal'c and wide enough for the entire team to stand in front of it shoulder-to-shoulder. The oak was carved in an ornate design, depicting a group of strange-looking animals running across an open field. In the background was a tall mountain. Diagonal slices across the surface of the door appeared to symbolize falling rain. Jack eyed the artwork, then said, "Guess this is a rainy world... How much you think a door like this would cost at one of those, ah... home design stores?"

Sam smiled. "Thinking of sprucing up your cabin, Sir?"

Before he had a chance to answer, the door swung inward. A beautiful woman was standing before them, loosely wrapped in a sheet. Her shoulders were bare and her cherry-red hair was mussed. Sam noticed that the woman's eyes were slightly red, as if she had been crying. She looked at the foursome standing before her, then smiled warmly. "Hello, and welcome," she said, her voice tired. "How can I help you?"

Jack raised an eyebrow, obviously intrigued by the half-naked woman. "Hello. We're... travelers... who were planning to sleep under the stars tonight. Unfortunately, there was a... freak rainstorm a few minutes ago and it caused all of the possible campsites to... well, to be flooded. We were wondering if there was a room or two available."

The woman smiled. "Of course. I apologize for the rain. Please, enter." She stepped aside and allowed the soaked team to enter her foyer. Large, fluffy pillows lined the walls, offering an inviting place to sit for visitors who might have had to wait. The woman closed the heavy doors and turned, holding the sheet closed with one hand. "My name is Tae'ya Nerina, but you may call me Tae'ya." She bowed slightly.

Daniel stepped forward. "Oh, I'm Daniel Jackson, this is Major Samantha Carter, Colonel Jack O'Neill and Teal'c. It's a pleasure to meet you and... thank you for allowing us into your home. We're sorry if we woke you."

Tae'ya smiled. "No, not at all. I was preparing to sleep when you knocked." She looked over each of the team members, pausing when she reached Sam, then said, "Your clothing has been drenched. I apologize for that. Please, I shall find you appropriate sleepwear and then show you to a suitable sleeping room."

Daniel nodded and said, "Thank you, but you don't have to keep apologizing for the rain. I mean, it's nothing you can control, right?"

She smiled, then raised one shoulder in a shrug and cryptically said, "You really aren't from around here, are you?"

Jack glanced at Sam, frowning as he followed their redheaded host out of the entry hall. The rest of the house reflected her singular style; the walls were all painted a deep blue, complimenting her violet eyes. Symbols that looked Oriental were drawn with golden paint, seemingly at random along the wall. Sam touched one of the symbols, wishing for the millionth time that she could speak half the languages Daniel did. They followed their guide around the single bend in the house's design, finding themselves in a small cul-de-sac of rooms.

Indicating the doors, Tae'ya said, "The gentlemen may take this room, while Major Carter can use this one."

Jack said, "The gentlemen are here, Carter's here... where do I sleep?"

Tae'ya ignored his question and turned to Sam. "The closets are fully stocked with bedwear. You may change into whatever fits and place your own clothing in the baskets next to the door. They will be dried quickly, I assure you." She bowed slightly, adjusting the sheet around her body as she moved to leave her guests alone. Jack raised one eyebrow at Carter, tilting his head at the alien woman.

Sam picked up on his subtle signal and touched Tae'ya's bare shoulder. "Actually... I was wondering if you'd like to talk for a little while. Tell me things about your village and your people."

"I would be glad to speak further when we gather again at dawn. I would not wish to postpone your rest."

Sam shrugged. "I suffer from a little bit of insomnia anyway."

Tae'ya frowned, a small wrinkle forming between her eyebrows. "In... sommina?"

Oops. Different culture. "Um, I have trouble sleeping. So you wouldn't be keeping me awake." She realized her mistake, then said, "Unless you're too tired, in which case--"

"I am fine," Tae'ya smiled. "Some nights I do not sleep at all. Come with me into the chambers. You can change into your bedwear and I will tell you what you wish to know." She turned to the men and bowed. "Good evening, gentlemen. We shall meet again at dawn. Pleasant slumbers."

Jack waved half-heartedly. Once the large door to Sam's bedchamber was closed, he turned to Daniel and said, "She was... she was just kidding about dawn, right?" Daniel raised his eyebrows and disappeared into one of the rooms. Teal'c followed. "Right?" Jack asked. He looked at the closed door of Sam's room and shrugged. "She was just kidding." He went into the room Daniel and Teal'c had chosen, pushing the door shut behind him.

---

"Illumination."

Sam blinked in surprise as several candles around the room automatically came to life, revealing that the walls around her were decorated with red-and-gold everything. The walls were colored red (although whether it was a natural coloration or simply smearing pigments on the walls, it wasn't clear), decorated with yellow and crimson tapestries. The curtains waved in the gentle breeze caused by the open window across the room. Sam eyed the massive feather bed, fingering the canopy that surrounded it. "Wow... these are your guest quarters?"

"These are my quarters," Tae'ya corrected. "In honor of your presence, I shall sleep in the guest quarters this evening."

"Oh, I couldn't do that. I wouldn't feel right."

Tae'ya chuckled, moving to a tall bureau and pulling the wooden doors open. "You must come from very far away. Your culture must be incredibly different than ours." She pulled a flowing nightgown from the shelves of her dresser and turned, holding it up. "Will this be appropriate?"

Sam raised her eyebrows, approaching the other woman. "Oh, yeah... this is gorgeous."

"My mother made it," Tae'ya explained. "She made most of the things within my home. The tapestries, the curtains... the majority of my clothing. Of course, our previous home was much smaller than this."

Taking the gown, Sam slipped behind a tall room divider she could just barely see over the top of. She slipped out of her jacket and looked down at the puddles she was making on the floor. "I'm sorry about all the water..."

"You apologize as much as I do," Tae'ya giggled. "Please, it is not a problem, Samantha. The floor will simply absorb the water and no harm will come." She slowly moved to the bed, running her fingers over the blanket. "You wished to speak to me of my people?"

"Oh, yeah," Sam said, hooking her thumbs in the waistband of her pants and pulling them down. "What do you call this village?"

"It is called Naiya. It is a small village of only two or three hundred, but I have lived here since my conception. My mother died soon after my birth and father was too heartbroken to leave all of his memories behind. When he died, I stayed here... in the only home I knew. Recently, I was given this home as a gift from the village." She brushed her hand through her hair and stepped closer to the room divider. "Is there anything else you would like to know?"

Sam  dropped her underwear to the pile, deciding it best to go without rather than get the nightgown wet. She'd slept in wet underwear before and it wasn't something she was looking forward to repeating. She wondered what Tae'ya had done to warrant receiving a house, but decided it wasn't terribly important. Instead, she struggled over how to phrase the next question. "We saw the ring in the center of town... the big one, with the symbols?"

Tae'ya smiled proudly. "The Gilon. Yes, it is magnificent, is it not?"

"Very magnificent," Sam agreed. "I was just curious, uh... has anyone ever come through it that you know of?"

The redhead frowned. "'Come through'? Many children walk through it every day. Merchants and beggars set up shop inside of it..."

Sam's smile was invisible behind the material of the gown as she slipped it over her head. "No, that's not exactly what I mean..." Her right hand searched for the sleeve she had sworn she'd seen a moment ago. "I mean has the circle ever... come to life? With a big, blue light and loud, whooshing noises?" Her left hand pawed the flimsy material of the nightgown. Both sleeves and the neckhole had apparently vanished.

Tae'ya noticed Sam struggling with the outfit and chuckled, walking around the partition and touching the blonde's shoulder. Sam stopped fighting and allowed the other woman to adjust the outfit on her body. "Come to life? No, I have never seen that." She gently pulled down on the nightgown, her eyes widening slightly when Sam's head appeared through the thin neckhole. She smoothed the material against Sam's arms and nodded. "There you are. Why do you ask of the ring?"

The two women were standing extremely close to each other and Sam found herself momentarily lost in the violet swirls of Tae'ya's eyes, her response to the question jumbled somewhere in her brain. Finally, she forced herself to break off their staring contest and knelt to gather her wet clothes. "Well, my companions and I are... are sort of scholars. We passed through a large town a few months back and heard stories of a giant ring that could transport people from distant places with a single step."

"And you think the Gilon is this... mythical ring?" Tae'ya asked, eyes sparkling. "That would be remarkable, but I am afraid our ring... is just a ring. It is a wonderful decoration, but not much more." She took the wet clothing from Sam's arms and turned, carrying them to the small bin she had told O'Neill and the others about. She lifted the lid and placed the clothes inside. "They will be dry in the morning." She knelt, picking up the jacket and eyeing the patch on the sleeve. "Your clothing has very unusual markings."

Sam nodded. "Yes, they're mostly just... nonsense." She tucked her wet hair behind her ears, smoothing the nightgown against her belly. "I suppose... I should try to get some sleep."

"Yes. I apologize for keeping you," Tae'ya said. "We'll speak more of my village in the morning." She turned and put a hand on each of Sam's shoulders, leaning forward and pressing her lips to the Major's forehead. "Good eve, Samantha Carter. Pleasant slumbers."

Sam nodded shyly, then repeated, "Good, uh... good slumbers to you, too, Tae'ya."

The redhead turned, leaving the room as if blown by a sudden gust of wind. Sam walked to the bed, fingering the material of her new sleepwear as she climbed onto the unbelievably soft feather bed. Looking at the ceiling, she winced and experimented, "Illumination off?" The room immediately went dark.

She laid down, wishing she had a bed half this comfortable at home. As she curled into a ball on the mattress, she heard the rain beginning to fall again outside her window.

---

The next morning, SG-1 regrouped in the main hall of Tae'ya's home. Their red-haired hostess was nowhere to be found, so they were forced to remain in the loose sleeping garments she had given them the night before. Jack fingered his pink tunic, jealously eyeing his teammates outfits. Daniel and Teal'c were in blue and red, respectively, and Sam was in orange. He sighed and said, "Any sign of the hostess with our clothes?"

Daniel shrugged. "I saw what I assumed to be a kitchen at the back of the house," he reported. He had been sent to find Tae'ya after they woke up, so he had seen most of the house.

Sam checked her watch. MALP readings indicated the world had the same 24-hour period Earth did, they were just a little off when it came to the clocks. "It's seven o'clock here; Fourteen hour time difference means it's just after eleven PM on Earth. Should we send Hammond a message?"

"And tell him what?" Jack asked. "That all we've managed to do is get some shopping done? Let's check out the town; at least now we'll be able to blend in with the local population." He sighed, looking down at his tunic once more. "This is why I stay in my own clothes on sleepovers..."

They were heading for the door when it suddenly swung open. A hooded figure stepped into the entry hall, leaning against the heavy door to shut it. Once the heavy wooden door slammed shut, the woman pulled back her hood to reveal a familiar mane of red hair. She smiled. "Ah! You are awake!" She was cradling a basket against her side, her hood tied to her thin blouse by several cords that trailed down her front. She smiled and twisted the basket so she could hold it in front of herself like a tray. "Come, I shall cook you a mid-morning meal."

"Mid-morning?" Jack asked.

Tae'ya led them back down the same hallway, passing the alcove that contained their bedrooms, and she explained, "Yes, we do not sleep much past dawn here. Don't think I am judging you; it is just not our custom to sleep so long." She turned and smiled, her eyes shining. "Do you enjoy gra'taq?"

Daniel raised his eyebrows, then said, "Um... we love gra'taq. It's very good." She nodded and turned as she reached another wooden door. She turned, pressing her shoulder against the door and leaning against it. Daniel indicated the door and whispered to Jack, "This is the kitchen I found earlier. I looked around the cabinets and I think gra'taq is some kind of spice like garlic..."

Jack wrinkled his nose. "I hate garlic."

The kitchen was large, with thin clouds of smoke hanging near the vaulted ceiling. All of the walls were also curved, leading to the apex of the roof where a small hole allowed the accumulated smoke to slowly exit. The far wall had been removed, replaced by a large patio that would've been perfect for an outdoor restaurant. It seemed every other wall was occupied by primitive cooking appliances; a pit filled with kindling was in the farthest corner of the room, surrounded by stone-and-wood representations of common Earth tools. Sam saw a 'freezer' that was simply a wooden box with a large block of ice placed inside. The island in the center of the kitchen bore cutting boards, preparation areas, a small water basin and a row of sharp cutting and paring knives. Tae'ya took her basket to one of the islands and removed the top, laying out various breads and spices.

Daniel decided to learn from his past adventures in the kitchen and get out of the way of the real cooks. He headed for the swinging doors that he assumed led to the dining room. Jack followed, indicating that Sam and Teal'c should join them. The team walked into the dining room, leaving Tae'ya to her preparations.

A long table stood in the center of the room, flanked by ten chairs and bearing a large assortment of flowers as the centerpiece. As the others examined the table and the artwork decorating the dining room, Jack stepped onto the outdoor terrace, looking up into the sky. His eyes widened and he whistled quietly. "Whoa... anyone else notice this?"

Sam and Daniel joined him outside, shielding their eyes before realizing it was an unnecessary gesture. The field behind Tae'ya's home was actually smaller than they had thought when they saw it in the dark; in the daylight, they could see the immense mountain that stood in her backyard. The sides of the mountain were nearly all vertical, making it look like a slab of rock that was dropped out of the sky. Sam raised her eyebrows and said, "This is... quite a yard decoration. And to think I didn't get a lawn jockey because I thought it looked too tacky."

Teal'c joined them, arching an eyebrow as he spotted the mountain.

Sam turned back to O'Neill. "Sir, I think there's something we need to discuss before Tae'ya returns." The colonel turned away from the mountain, giving her his full attention. "Apparently, these people have no idea that the Stargate is capable of... well, anything. I asked her about what it was for, even pretended we'd heard of a powerful ring from another town, but she claimed it was just a decoration."

"Perhaps she is concealing it's true nature from you for the obvious reasons. Perhaps they do not want to share control of their Stargate, much as your United States does not reveal it's existence to the rest of the world at large."

Nodding, she admitted, "You have a point. But I still don't think we should activate it during the day. It should be kept as low profile as possible."

O'Neill nodded, then indicated the dining room. "Let's go wait in there. I'd hate to soak another outfit in a sudden rainstorm."

As Jack, Daniel and Teal'c sat, Sam went into the kitchen to see if Tae'ya needed any help. Five plates were set up on what seemed to be the main table, bowls of food sitting nearby and steaming towards the hole in the ceiling. Sam stepped forward, eyeing the dishes and deciding that whatever gra'taq was, it sure smelled good. "Can I help with anything?" she asked.

Tae'ya turned, smiling happily. "Samantha. Yes, please, I welcome your assistance."

Sam moved closer to the stove, looking to see what she could help with. "I'm sorry, I'm not exactly a master chef, but I can... uh... do whatever you tell me how to do," she laughed.

Tae'ya pointed to four small bowls on the center table. "You may serve those to your friends. It is the gra'taq." The bowls were filled with a yellow liquid with flecks of something green floating in it. Sam touched her finger it, grimacing at the texture, then reluctantly touched it to her tongue. Her eyes widened and she swallowed, immediately wishing she had a spoon. Tae'ya saw the reaction and said, "Good?"

"Delicious," Sam said, getting more on her fingertip and tasting it. "Good? Wow... this stuff is... how do you make this?"

"It is a recipe my grandmother taught me. I will teach you, if you wish."

Sam nodded enthusiastically, then picked up the four bowls as carefully as she could. She carried them into the dining room, pushing the door open with her shoulder and smiling at her teammates. "Hey, guys? Remember when she asked if we like gra'taq and Daniel said yes?" O'Neill nodded warily, eyeing the bowls she was carrying towards them. "Good call. This stuff is unbelievable." She sat the bowls down, then pointed a finger at each of them. "If anyone touches mine, I get first shower after every mission for a month... and I'll make sure you guys get the coldest water possible." She returned to the kitchen where Tae'ya was preparing the main course.

The dish looked as if it consisted of a huge potato that was the size of a young turkey. The back was split open, revealing pink and yellow meat within. Tae'ya sprinkled spices over the opening, then picked up a two-pronged fork and dug into it. Sam leaned on the counter, looking into the potato-like food. "What's this called?" she asked.

"It is nekkenas. Would you like a taste?" She pulled a piece out, holding it between her thumb and forefinger and offering it to Sam. The major took the proferred food, popping it into her mouth. She had to lean heavily against the table as the morsel seemed to dissolve in her mouth and coat every tastebud individually. When she opened her eyes, she had to roll them forward again to look at Tae'ya. "Do we have to share this with the guys?"

Tae'ya giggled, picking up a large knife to begin carving. "The males will be grateful for the food. Perhaps while we eat, you can share information about your home. And after the meal, I shall take you to the marketplace and introduce you to the people of my village. We can learn much from each other."

"I'd like that a lot, Tae'ya."

She smiled, carving thin slices of the juicy meat and moving them to the plates. "Then it is settled. Come... we will eat and then we will enjoy the day."

As Sam followed the woman from the kitchen, she marveled at how quickly she was warming to Tae'ya. Even as a child, Sam had found herself more at ease with boys; be it playing football or just hanging out. The only true female friend she'd ever really had was Janet, and that was... well, that was a bit confusing to say the least. She loved being with the petite doctor, but there was always the underlying attraction that scared the hell out of her. The taboo wasn't only that the Air Force restricted that kind of relationship, for all intents and purposes Sam had to assume the doctor was straight.

She placed the turkey-sized potato on the table and proceeded to serve it to her teammates as thoughts of Janet Fraiser streamed through her brain.

Jack held his plate up, accepting his serving, then joked, "What's the standard tip for an Air Force Major?"

Daniel smiled, "I'd say fifteen percent."

"A little more if she smiles purdy," the colonel winked.

Sam glared at the guys, then said, "How about I just agree not to spit in your drinks?"

Jack held his hands up in a surrender gesture, then picked up what looked like a fork. He speared a piece of meat, eyeing it before he took it into his mouth. His eyes widened and he nodded slowly. "Nice. Very nice."

Tae'ya led Sam back into the kitchen to pour drinks. Once they were alone again, Tae'ya turned so she was facing Sam and walking backwards. "You and your friends have a very peculiar way of speaking... your references are a bit confusing as well. What is a tip? And Air Force?"

Sam realized they may have blown their cover. "Oh. Well, they're just goofing off. It doesn't mean anything."

"Goofing off?" Tae'ya picked up a large jug from a cooler set into the floor. "You must hail from a land far distant from us. Are you from the... the Noma District?"

Sam nodded. "Yes. We're from the center of the Noma District. Very far away."

Tae'ya smiled brightly, filling five glasses with an amber liquid. "Ah. You will be surprised to know that this very village is the center of the Noma District. How can you be from here as well as from far away?" She replaced the pitcher in the cooler and turned to face Sam. She was still smiling, her teeth flashing. "You have been lying to me, Samantha."

The blonde swallowed sharply. "Oh. Um..."

Picking up two glasses, Tae'ya said, "I am not angry, nor do I require an explanation. You simply wished for a place to stay and refreshment. I am honored to give you this. However... if you wish for more information of our village, you will have to be a little more forthcoming about your own origins."

Sam took a deep breath, picking up two glasses as well. "Tae'ya... do you remember last night when I asked you if anyone had ever come through the Gilon? Through the ring in the center of town?"

The redhead nodded slowly. "I remember. No one ever has."

"You're talking to one of the first. We call it a Stargate..."

---

Sam precariously held three glasses as she returned to the dining room, pushing the door open with her shoulder. Daniel was on his feet in an instant, moving to help her. Jack looked up, his cheeks puffed out like a squirrel storing food for winter. "'S'about time, Carter! How 'bout giving me something to drink?"

She sat one of the glasses in front of him and he quickly downed it. "My God," he muttered. "If I ate like this every day, I think I'd be as big as a house." He shoveled another mouthful of meat into his mouth. Closing his eyes, he shook his head. "Delicious... absolutely delicious."

As Daniel returned to his seat, Sam cleared her throat. "I told her. Everything."

Jack looked up. "Um... everything?"

Tae'ya sat at the head of the table, excitedly eyeing her guests. "It is true? You are all aliens who arrived here through the Gilon?" She giggled. "It's amazing! Tell me of your world! You... look so much like us! How is that possible? How does the Gilon work? Will I be allowed to travel to your world as you have mine?"

O'Neill held up his hands. "Whoa, whoa, whoa... Carter, you told her everything?"

"Sorry, Sir. She... kind of tricked me. Anyway, she knew we were lying about where we were from, so I decided to establish a little trust. Besides, it'll make it easier when we have to leave or contact General Hammond." She turned to Tae'ya. "And to answer some of your questions... our world is much like yours in terms of... atmosphere and appearance although we have some different customs and technology. The reason we look so much alike is because our world was harvested a long time ago by another group of aliens. Our ancestors were spread all over the universe, which led to... well, a lot of similar worlds."

Jack spoke up. "As for traveling to our world, we'd... have to ask. I'm sure it'll be okay if you clear quarantine, which is just a precaution on our parts. I'll show you how to have fun and Carter'll show you how to... stay inside and work all day."

Sam took a sip of her drink, licking her lips as she chose to ignore the jab at her personal life. "But first, we'd like a chance to explore this world. We'd like to enjoy some of your customs and learn what you have to offer."

Tae'ya smiled. "I will arrange it. There will be a great festival in your honor before the sun falls from the sky." She stood. "I will begin planning now. Enjoy your food. I will return before you finish eating." With a swish of her robes, the redhead vanished from the dining room.

Jack looked at the door, then at Tae'ya's empty seat. "Quick little thing, isn't she?"

---

Tae'ya escorted the team to the town, where several people had gathered around the Stargate, all of them speaking in hushed tones as they awaited the visitors. Dressed as they were in common clothing, the team managed to follow Tae'ya through the crowd without causing much commotion. Three stairs led onto the dias and Tae'ya stepped aside, indicating that the team should go first. Jack took the lead, trotting quickly up the stairs and across the platform. The crowd quieted and all eyes were on him. Sam was next, watching the townspeople as they watched her. She suddenly felt like a piece of meat. Tae'ya followed Teal'c and Daniel onto the stage, then clapped her hands twice. "May I have your attention, please?" she implored.

Everyone reluctantly turned away from the strangers. "Thank you," she said. "Last eve, I was interrupted as I prepared for bed by a knock on my door. When I arrived, I found these four strangers. They wore odd clothing and spoke with peculiar terms, but I granted them asylum. And now, I have wonderful news. These strangers have come not from a faraway village, but from a faraway world!" She turned, indicating the Stargate. "This device, which they call a Stargate, is the mythical ring of legends. It is capable of transporting people across the universe in a matter of seconds!"

The crowd erupted in quiet chatter. Tae'ya spoke loud enough to interrupt them. "They are our guests, I remind you. They do not know of our customs or our systems. Please, I implore you - during their visit, grant them the same kindness you would bestow upon your neighbor. As they are unable to pay with our own money, I ask that you give of yourselves in order to make them feel welcome. Show them that Naiya is a wonderful home!"

Jack leaned towards Sam and muttered, "Ya know, one time Sara dragged me to this free weekend at a golf resort. Turns out it was just some scam to try and get us to buy a condo. I never even got to golf."

Sam chuckled. "Do you think Tae'ya's in real estate, Sir?"

He sighed. "I don't know... we've run into some pretty shady characters over the years. I was wondering when we'd meet a real estate agent."

Sam laughed, covering her mouth to prevent undue attention.

---

The banners waved wildly in the wind, the merchants offering free products to the visiting guests. Jack discovered a man selling tunics made of incredibly lightweight material that managed to be bulky and yet ventilated at the same time. He imagined what it would be like to fish in one of these amazing shirts and immediately took three. Daniel, of course, managed to find a bookstore in the middle of the festival and spent most of his time perusing the literature of the Faylinn. Teal'c, uncomfortable in a party situation, kept an eye out for suspicious behavior. A gaggle of young children had gathered around his legs, following him as he patrolled, their giggles occasionally resulting in a raised eyebrow and a downward glare.

Sam, meanwhile, had been shanghaied by Tae'ya. The redhead took the major's hand immediately upon leaving the dias and led her through clothing and jewelry shops. By the time they regrouped for a mid-day meal, Sam's entire outfit had disappeared and was replaced with beautifully stitched clothing. She wore a lavender-colored shirtwaist, which was short enough to reveal a hint of her midriff. Tae'ya had also found a calf-length dress with slits up both sides that revealed the major's often-obscured legs. Sam also wore a necklace made of shells that hung low in front of her, swinging with each step.

Jack looked up from his snack - something that resembled a gyro from Earth - and almost choked. "Wow," he said, his cheeks again bulging with food. "Looks like someone made today worthwhile."

Tae'ya smiled. "It is not often I get to enhance another's beauty for free." She turned to the major and said, "With her, the enhancements were all minor. She made my task simple."

Sam blushed, then looked at her CO. He was smirking, obviously aware of her discomfort. "So... Sir. Find anything useful in the marketplace?"

"Oh, yeah," the colonel reported, indicating the tunics. "These things are custom-made for summer. Sell the design to Nike and we'd have funding for another ten years."

Daniel finally made his way to their congregation, cradling almost two dozen books in his arms. He deposited them on the table, then stood and adjusted his glasses. Whatever breath he had managed to catch was knocked away by the sight of Sam. "Oh. Um... wow."

"Can we please focus on something else?" Sam pleaded. "Like Daniel's books or the Colonel's... Oh, my God..."

The team turned, smiling when they saw what had broken Sam's concentration. Teal'c was weaving his way towards them, his following of children still present. His clothes were marked with chocolate and sugar smudges, all of the stains made in the form of tiny hands. The Jaffa's face was adorned with a small drawing of a flower. He stopped next to Daniel and Jack, looking at each of the men in turn as if daring them to make the first comment. Finally, he looked and Sam and raised a simple eyebrow. The major chuckled, then said, "Have an interesting day, Teal'c?"

"I..." He paused, looking at each of the children. They all seemed enamored with the giant man. Finally, he sighed, "I do not wish to discuss it, Major Carter."

She barely contained her laughter and turned back to their hostess and guide. "This has all been absolutely wonderful, Tae'ya. But we haven't had a chance to discuss your people much."

Tae'ya nodded. "Yes. We will make amends for that as we dine. Come, I shall show you the hall where we have our meals."

Daniel began gathering his books, looking up at the sky. "Hopefully those clouds on the horizon don't mean rain," he said, allowing Teal'c to help him with some of the thicker volumes. "I'd hate to have this festival called on account of the weather."

Tae'ya paused, then said, "Why would I allow that?"

Sam looked at O'Neill, then repeated, "Allow?"

"Yes," Tae'ya nodded, shifting her gaze from one teammember to the next. "Why would I make the rain fall during a festival?"

"Make the rain fall?" Sam repeated, just to be sure she had heard correctly. "You can control the rain?"

Tae'ya's frown deepened. "You did not know?"

Jack raised an eyebrow. "That's interesting." He glanced back at his team, then exhaled slowly. "I think we have a topic for conversation at lunch..."

"I hear it falling in the night and filling up my mind
All the heaven's rivers come to light I see it all unwind
I hear it talking through the trees and on the window pane
When I hear it I just can't believe I never liked the rain..."
--Clint Black


Chapter Two,

"If it's gonna rain, I hope it pours
Thunder and lightning, like never before
'Cause that's how I feel here in my heart
If it's gonna rain, let the storm start."
--George Strait

Tae'ya escorted them through the village, occasionally pausing to wish someone well or sample a product. When they finally arrived at the two-story building that made up their dining hall, she stepped aside and allowed the team to enter first. She followed them in and said, "Most citizens dined a few hours ago. I specifically chose this time so we could be afforded a bit of privacy." She gathered her robes more tightly around herself, then indicated a table at the far end of the room. "Please, sit. I shall alert the kitchen that we have arrived."

She moved away from them and the team took their seats at the indicated table. A young woman sat in the middle of the room, engrossed in a thick leather bound book that resembled the ones Daniel carried. Aside from her and a few people in the opposite corner of the room, the team was alone. Daniel and Teal'c deposited the books on the next table before sitting, Daniel taking the time to brush off his jacket and examine their surroundings. "Well. I think that someone like Tae'ya would be an asset to the Weather Channel."

"Not to mention sports teams." At the blank stares from the others, he elaborated, "No more calling games on account of rain. Or at least, people could bet that the game would be called."

Sam rolled her eyes and said, "Forget how she could be valuable to us... how the hell does she *do* it? I mean... controlling the *weather*? That's pretty out there."

Daniel nodded slowly, his attention divided between the conversation and long glances at the woman seated a few tables away. When he managed to salvage his voice, he added, "Although not unheard of. I mean, there have been rainmakers going back and forth in the South for-for a long time. People with carts and fancy promises saying they could make the clouds pour forth. Oma Desala was, quite literally, Earth's Mother Nature. There's even a way to do it, scientifically, with the right chemical combination..."

Jack sighed. "Awright. Look, I don't think it matters how she does it or why she does it. The real question here is if there's enough of a reason for us to stick around."

For some reason, the thought of leaving Tae'ya behind made Sam remarkably sad, even though she had only met the woman the night before. "We don't know much about this society, Sir. When Tae'ya returns, I suggest we not only ask about weapons, but also defense and medical capabilities. If they have someone who can will it to rain, who knows what else they may have?"

At that moment, Tae'ya returned bearing a large tray of dishes. Behind her was a man in white scrubs carrying a drink tray. Tae'ya smiled warmly, the gesture mostly directed towards Sam, then began to hand out the food. Jack and Teal'c were given what appeared to be steaks (rare, with a side of steamed vegetables), while Daniel and Sam received lobster-like creatures that bore posterior claws as well as the usual foreclaws. The smell was absolutely succulent. Jack's eyes widened as he picked up his silverware. "Well, Carter, looks like you'll have to do most of the talking." Looking up at Tae'ya and the chef, he asked, "You guys got any A-1 sauce?"

Sam looked longingly at her plate of food, then said, "Actually, I if we're going to do any talking, I think it would be better if we went for a walk. I don't think I can be trusted to keep focus if I smell too much of this." She ran her finger along the lobster's backside, tasting the butter and rolling her eyes. "Oh, my God," she muttered, forcing herself not to dig in. "So... Tae'ya... a walk?"

"Of course," the redhead nodded, laughing. "We shall keep your meal fresh until our return." She turned to the men and bowed slightly. "Enjoy your meal, gentlemen. We will return in... um... fifteen minutes?" She glanced at Sam for confirmation.

"Twenty-five," Sam amended. "We'll try not to make you wait too long, Sir."

The colonel already had a chunk of the steak in his mouth, chewing it thoroughly. He waved his fork and managed to mumble, "T'ke y'r time, Carter."

Sam rolled her eyes. "Yes, Sir. And stay away from my lobster."

---

After walking for almost five minutes, Sam had the idea to contact the SGC and get Janet to come and examine Tae'ya. The doctor would be able to tell if there was anything peculiar about Tae'ya that allowed her to make it rain on a whim. Hopefully, it wouldn't be too much of an inconvenience to come through the 'gate at - what time was it there? - four AM. Though deciding to go back to the Stargate and getting back to the Stargate were two entirely different concepts. Sam was reluctant to admit she had gotten turned around on the way to the dining hall, but Tae'ya was more than happy to pretend she wasn't leading the major. She stayed two or three steps ahead of Sam, making sure her new friend was following, talking all the while. "It's not exactly common here, either," Tae'ya admitted. "Harnessing the rain, I mean."

"I bet not," Sam commented. "Can I ask how you do it?"

Tae'ya shrugged. "I cry."

Sam blinked. "You cry? Every time it rains, it's because you're crying?"

The redhead nodded, her curls bouncing on her shoulders. Sam recalled when they had arrived at her door the previous night; a rainstorm had just ended and Sam noticed it looked like their new hostess had been crying. "Wow. So... have you always been able to..."

"No," she smiled, obviously enjoying the question-and-answer session. "Two cycles ago, I believe, there was a drought throughout most of our country. Farmers were losing crops and people were starving. So I climbed the mountain--"

"The one behind your house?" Sam interrupted.

"Yes," Tae'ya nodded. They were almost to the town's square, though now Sam didn't know the way to the dining hall. "When I reached the summit, I asked my mother to make it rain. She did. Since then, my tears fall with the rain. I thank my mother every day through music... I miss her very much, though I did not know her." Her voice quieted and she turned away from Sam.

The two women were standing in an alley, blocked from most of the marketplace inhabitants. Sam put a hand on Tae'ya's shoulder. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "My mother died early, too. It was a car accident." She realized that 'car' had very little meaning in this world, then said, "It was an avoidable accident and... I was upset by it for a long time."

"My mother died of an illness. My father said there was no way to save her... it was inevitable. And yet, I would see him peering out the window at the skies as if he could see her in heaven. He missed her terribly. The disease that killed my mother took no other lives..."

Sam frowned. "Your mother was the sole casualty?"

A quick nod. "Father said the doctors had an antidote, but Mother refused to take it." She brushed her cheek. Sam stepped forward, embracing the woman. She could feel the heat of Tae'ya's skin through the thin robes they both wore and she desperately wanted to kiss the redheaded woman... make her feel better. After all, it was her fault they'd gotten onto the subject of parents... Tae'ya leaned back, her face inches from Sam's.

The major's heart was beating as she looked into the alien woman's violet eyes; eyes that could control the rain. Finally, the ruby lips parted and Tae'ya said, "Should we not contact your planet?"

Sam exhaled slowly. Damn... can't get carried away. "Yes... yes, we should. But we should clear the area in front of the Stargate first. There's a sort of... well, a big wave that can be fatal." She stepped away from the rainmaker and led the way into the marketplace.

---

Sam held the door open for the weary doctor, trying to hide a smile as the brunette yawned loudly. Janet shook her head, rubbing her eye with the back of her free hand. The other was weighed down by a med kit. "God, Sam, you yank me out of bed on my one day off just to look into some girl's eyes?"

"Sorry I woke you, Janet," Sam said, draping one arm over the other woman's shoulders as they walked down the corridor to where Tae'ya was waiting. "But I didn't trust Warner with this. Tae'ya - the woman you're examining - may feel more comfortable with a woman physician. I hope you don't mind."

Janet covered her mouth, shaking her head before going into the room. "You owe me, babe. Big dinner, no guys, just us. And wine. Expensive wine."

"Deal," Sam said, trying to pretend that a night alone getting drunk with Janet was a punishment. She pulled open the heavy door, allowing Janet to enter first.

Tae'ya was seated on the edge of her bed, looking out the window. She turned as the door opened, smiling when she saw Sam had returned. "Samantha," she said, standing. "You have brought your friend. I was worried when you were waiting so long."

Janet put down her med kit and smiled. "Yeah, well, they had to pull me out of bed and I had to get to..." She sighed. "I apologize for making you wait." She pulled on a rubber glove and glanced at Sam. "Um... Tae'ya, do you want Sam here during your examination?"

Tae'ya looked warily at the med kit and said, "I would prefer it."

"No problem," Janet said. "Let's get down to business."

---

Tae'ya's eyes widened as Janet shined the penlight into it. Before the brunette could react, the redhead had snatched the instrument away and was examining it closely. "This is a truly magnificent tool," she commented, turning it over in her hands. She clicked it on, shining a spot onto her palm. "What do you call this?"

"It's a penlight," Janet replied, easing the tool from Tae'ya's fingers and replacing it in her bag. "I'm finished with my exam. I'm just going to step outside to speak with Major Carter and she'll be right back in. Okay?"

Tae'ya nodded, smiling at Sam as the blonde left the room. Once they were alone, Sam crossed her arms over her chest and said, "Well? What's wrong?"

"Nothing that I can tell. Her eyes--" she yawned loudly, blocking her mouth with the back of her hand. When the yawn subsided, Janet blinked quickly and continued, "Her eyes are human. Tear ducts and all. I didn't see anything abnormal." She checked her watch and sighed. "I hope Cassie got my note. She should be on her way to school by now."

Sam winced. "Sorry again. I didn't want to pull you out of bed, but...."

"I know, I know," Janet smiled. "Pursuit of science can't wait until all the players are awake." She shook her head. "I just wish I hadn't stayed up so late last night."

A blonde eyebrow rose towards the ceiling. "Oh, really? What was the lovely doctor doing up past her bedtime?"

Janet smirked at her friend. "Nothing too naughty. Although it did involve a multitude of naked men and women." She allowed the comment to hang for a moment before elaborating, "I was updating physical reports in my files. Long, tedious hours of filing and refiling and shredding and... I didn't get home until three and then--"

"Oh," Sam said, realizing her folly. "I really am sorry... I'm sure that Tae'ya wouldn't mind offering you a bed so you can rest up..."

"Not necessary," Janet said. "I'd rather head on home, drink a nice glass of milk and crash on the couch in  my office." She grinned. "It'll give me a chance to be on-call for any Earth-bound emergencies. You're not the only injury-prone officer on that base, ya know."

"Daniel is," Sam said, in stereo with Janet. They both laughed and then the doctor looked over her shoulder.  "I better go. Say hi to the guys for me." She picked up her medical bag, then winked at Sam. "You gonna drop by and see Cass when you get home?"

"You bet," the major nodded.

Janet said good-bye one more time and headed for the front door of the complex. Sam thought about escorting the doctor back to the 'gate, then saw Daniel and Teal'c heading up the street. They stopped when they saw the doctor, turning and matching her stride. Aw, well. Sam turned and went into Tae'ya's room, where the redhead was awaiting news. She stood when she saw Sam and grinned. "Well?"

"You're fine," Sam reported. "Nothing abnormal about your eyes, that we can tell."

"Wonderful!" Tae'ya chirped, her eyes shining. She clapped her hands once, then said, "Did your friend Dr. Janet leave?"

Sam nodded. "She had to get home to rest. Why?"

Tae'ya's smile wavered slightly. "Oh. I was hoping to get to know her better as well. It is not often I get to converse with other women as I have with you."

"Really? You don't talk with the women of your village?"

Tae'ya sighed. "Unfortunately, no. You see, many people think of me as their superior. After all, I control the rains and ensure the survival of the food crops. They mistakenly believe they should keep me happy at all times. I allowed them to give me this home, but I have refused all other help they had offered. Maids, servants, everything that I could ever want."

"Sounds like a dream." Tae'ya opened the door and they were soon walking towards the back of the house.

"Or a nightmare," the woman sighed, running a hand through her hair. "I have no friends. Whenever I receive a compliment, I must wonder if it is simply what I hope to hear. I do not like that people are afraid of me."

They reached a large room with windows looking out over the field behind the house. The mountain was an ever-present backdrop to the beauty of nature. Cushions were laying haphazardly on the floor, surrounding a central point where a small pool had been constructed. Tae'ya walked to one of the larger cushions and lowered herself onto it, picking up an odd-looking instrument. It appeared to be a harp coupled with a harmonica, the body of the harp resting in Tae'ya lap while the back of it rose into a wide mouthpiece. Resting her fingers lightly on the strings, Tae'ya looked up at Sam. "You are welcome to stay and enjoy. It is a daily  tribute to my mother."

Sam nodded. "I'd be honored."

Tae'ya nodded once, then rested her lips on the mouthpiece. She took a breath, closed her eyes, and began to gently play.

Her fingers moved gently across the strings, emitting a sound not unlike a natural breeze. It slowly rose in tempo, washing over Sam like a wave. As the strings played the wind, the mouthpiece added the accompanying music. It was haunting, a sound unlike any the major had ever heard. Sam held up a finger and mouthed, 'I'll be right back,' before running from the room. She quickly found her temporary quarters and dug through the laundry bin for her supplies. The clothing, despite Tae'ya's promise, was still wet. She found the small, gray recorder tucked in an inside pocket and was relieved to see that it was undamaged from the previous night's rainstorm. She checked the tape to make sure it had enough time left and hurried back to Tae'ya's concert hall.

The music had grown in intensity. Somehow, a third note had been added. In addition to the sweeping sound of the wind-like strings and the almost human voice of the music, there was a chiming bell, the source of which Sam couldn't begin to place. She pressed down the record button on the tape recorder and held it slightly away from her body. Tae'ya noticed the thin box, but didn't stop her playing.

The song's intensity continued to grow. Sam felt the hair on the back of her neck stand up as Tae'ya's lips and fingers moved effortlessly along the instrument. Sam wondered how so much harmony could be emitted from a single player, but couldn't tear her mind away from the melody long enough to ponder the science. Imagine that... Samantha Carter too enraptured to computate something.

As Tae'ya played, a tear formed in her left eye, a small oval droplet that hung on an eyelash before beginning it's trail down one curved cheek. By the time the teardrop was even with her nose, Sam was aware of a darkening outside the windows. She looked up in time to see a series of raindrops splatter against the glass. It was raining outside. Tae'ya didn't sniffle, didn't move to wipe away the tears. She simply continued playing, her mind focused on the task at hand. Tears dropped off the edge of her chin, a few sliding around to rest on her lips.

When the song finally slowed and began to taper off, the rain followed suit. By the time Tae'ya set the instrument aside, the rain had stopped all together and the sun was out once more. Ignoring the tears on her face, she looked at Sam and grinned. "Well? Did you like it?"

"Like it? Tae'ya, I've never heard anything so beautiful. Your mother would be proud of you." The redhead turned away, a slight blush tinting her already rosy cheeks. Sam smiled, then hit rewind. "I have a surprise for you, Tae'ya. Have you ever seen anything like this device?" The alien woman turned, then shook her head. "It's a tape recorder. We use it to record sounds... although nothing quite as beautiful as what I've just heard."

She hit play and heard a tinny version of her own voice saying, "--seems to be a normal planet. Daniel is collecting rock samples while Colonel O'Neill is pretending to be bored and--" She hit fast forward, glancing up at Tae'ya in embarrassment.

Tae'ya, on the other hand, was intrigued. "You spoke without speaking."

"Yeah. I-I recorded that last week. Different planet."

"Amazing," Tae'ya breathed. "You move from world to world without thought and you believe my talent is special?"

Sam smiled at the compliment as she hit play. The small speakers of the mediocre recorder began to play back Tae'ya beautiful tribute. Tae'ya gasped, looking at the device as if it were magic. "How did you do that?"

"It's... um..." Sam wondered if she knew enough to explain the complexities of recording music to this woman. Deciding she didn't, she just said, "It's complicated." She rewound the tape to the beginning of the recording, then placed it on the floor. Following an unexpected impulse, she stood and extended one hand. "Would you care to dance to your own music?"

Tae'ya smiled and took Sam's hand. "I have not danced in ages... and never with a partner so lovely."

It was Sam's turn to blush. She tried to hide the color in her cheeks by pulling Tae'ya close, resting one hand on the redhead's shoulder. The music continued to filter through the small speaker as they began to sway to the recorded waltz. Tae'ya placed her head softly on Sam's shoulder, sliding her hands down to the small of the major's back. Sam couldn't remember the last time she had been pressed this close to another person... she hadn't had sex in almost eighteen months. She hadn't even danced with another woman in ages. The contact of their bodies was almost too much to take. Luckily, the recording was short and the music was quickly replaced by the quiet hiss of blank tape passing over the spools.

"The music stopped," Sam pointed out.

"I know," Tae'ya said softly. "Do we have to stop dancing?"

Dangerous game, Sam told herself. An unbidden quote found it's way to the front of her mind: Don't play for safety - it's the most dangerous thing in the world. She swallowed, then pulled Tae'ya closer. "No. We can keep dancing..."

Sam felt the other woman raise her head slightly, their cheeks touching. The blonde took a deep breath, then said, "So, um... y-you don't dance?"

"I rarely have the luxury of a partner. And we do not have the ability to record music as you have. In order to dance, a third person would be needed in order to supply the song." She nuzzled Sam's cheek with her lips, causing the major to shiver. "This... is the most intimate dance I have ever had, Major Samantha. I thank you."

Sam stepped back so they could look into each others eyes. She licked her lips, pausing to watch as Tae'ya repeated the gesture. Their faces were mere inches apart. "Tae'ya," Sam breathed.

Tae'ya moved her hand from Sam's shoulder, brushing the backs of her fingers along the other woman's cheek. She smiled, then said, "I would also like to kiss you, Samantha. If I may be so bold."

Sam's throat was suddenly unbelievably dry. Her eyes were widening and she could feel her heart pounding against her ribcage. The tip of her tongue darted out, wetting her lips once more. Tae'ya watched the gentle sweep of Sam's tongue, then slowly lowered her head. The initial touch of their lips was gentle, both of them exploring before going too far. Sam felt Tae'ya's hands trembling against her skin and was glad she was wearing the loose garments rather than her uniform. She could feel the soft curves of her partner pressing intimately against her own.

When they finally separated, Sam kept her eyes closed and brought one hand up to touch her lips. "Wow," she breathed.

"I enjoyed that kiss, Major Samantha."

Sam brought her hand up, allowing it to trail through the other woman's strawberry-colored curls and rest against her scalp. "Call me Sam," she said.

"I would like to kiss you again, Sam," Tae'ya whispered, already lowering her head. This time, their kiss was hungry... demanding. Sam could feel her resolve slipping; if she didn't stop soon, they were going to have to strip down and make love right then and there. She reluctantly pulled away at the initial touch of the redhead's tongue, turning her head and closing her eyes so she wouldn't be tempted. Tae'ya slid her hand down the side of Sam's face and asked, "Is this unacceptable, Sam?"

Taking a moment to compose herself, Sam finally said, "It's... most acceptable for me. But on our world... Tae'ya, it's just not as easy as what I want or feel." She licked her lips, tasting the lingering essence of gra'taq that Tae'ya had left. "And, God, do I want this." She looked into Tae'ya's pained violet eyes, then said, "We just... have to be careful about it. Come to my room tonight, after you make it rain. We'll... explore this further then, all right?"

A pink blush rose in the redhead's cheeks and she nodded. "I shall look forward to our encounter, Samantha." She quickly corrected herself and said, "Sam."

---

"It's gonna hurt, cut to the bone
Break my heart in two when you move on
I'm gonna cry a river of tears
It's gonna rain and rain and rain
'Round here for years."
--George Strait

---

The day was filled with speeches both mundane and monotonous. After the kiss, Tae'ya and Sam had left the tribute room, as Tae'ya called it, and rejoined the rest of SG-1 at the dining hall. Daniel and Teal'c had just returned from escorting Janet to the Stargate and had reported she arrived home without incident. O'Neill had tried to get Tae'ya to give them crates of meat to take home, but Sam had managed to quell any request he tried to make. They followed Tae'ya from the dining hall to a large records building. There, she pointed out several historical texts that had Daniel drooling as soon as the leather covers were cracked open.

O'Neill and Teal'c wandered to a section dedicated to a row of shelves labeled "History of Defense." Sam sat at the head of the table where Daniel had set up camp, occasionally catching glimpses of Tae'ya as the mysterious redhead wandered the shelves. She had decided to leave SG-1 to their own devices, but promised to remain close. Sam found herself losing her breath every time she spotted a wisp of red hair through the books or a shadow that seemed to be the right size and shape for the lovely rainmaker.

After a while, Daniel looked over his shoulder and leaned close to Sam. "Are you okay?"

She turned to him, frowning. "Huh? Fine. Why?"

He shrugged, flipping one yellowed page of his book. "You're breathing funny. Kind of... like you have asthma or something."

"I'm fine," she assured him. "Must be all the dust from these books. It's getting caught in my throat."

Daniel turned another page. "Dust can be hazardous... I had a friend who had to go to the hospital because he inhaled too much dust while he was moving into a new apartment."

"It's nothing serious," she said, watching Tae'ya as she stopped to speak to O'Neill. "I'm fine." She pulled one of the history books off the stack and opened it, scanning the crudely drawn maps and family trees.

After six hours, O'Neill finally got bored enough to call it a day. Sam was the first one outside, looking up at the cloudless sky and remembering her date with Tae'ya later that night. Tae'ya had left several hours before, something about chores to do at her home, and Sam was already missing the other woman's company. Sam smiled, realizing that her love life was dependent on the weather for the first time in her life. The anticipation was killing her.

As Sam waited outside, looking up at the stars, Daniel put the finishing touches on some of his notes before reluctantly abandoning his stack of historical summaries. He caught up with O'Neill as the older man was leaving, the two of them trailed by Teal'c. "Jack, this is really great stuff."

"It's always really great stuff," the colonel chided. "What is it this time, Daniel? The people are descendants of Atlantis? Or maybe they're actually long-lost relatives of the Asgard."

"Easy, Jack," Daniel warned. "You're starting to sound a lot like the people who dismissed my theories about the pyramids."

Jack stopped and turned to face the younger man. "I apologize," he said, sounding only half-sarcastic. "What did you find that was so interesting?"

Daniel flicked the notebook with his finger. "I found a mention of Tae'ya in here. It seems that sometime around twenty-five years ago, just after her birth, a previously unknown disease was documented here. Tae'ya's mother was the first and only person diagnosed with the disease. It killed her before any tests could be done."

O'Neill tilted his cap, looking up at the sky as if he expected it to let loose with rain as it had the night before. He off-handedly asked, "How many other people died?"

"None," Sam answered, remembering the conversation she'd shared with Tae'ya and glancing in the direction of the redheaded rainmaker's house.

The colonel blinked, turning to face them. "None? But I thought it was an outbreak?"

"The texts say it was an outbreak, but have no other mention of other victims. The hospital records show no one else complaining of similar symptoms. For all intents and purposes, Adalia Nerina was the only person stricken by the disease. The doctors ran tests on Tae'ya just to be sure, but they found no traces of the illness in her system."

Jack frowned. "So, this brand-new disease sweeps into town, picks one person and wipes them out before moving on? What kind of disease does that?"

"None of which I am aware," Teal'c stated, unnecessarily.

Sam frowned. "Maybe... maybe there were previous indications that Tae'ya's mother was ill."

Daniel shook his head. "This is where it gets weird." He indicated one page of his notes. "She never went to the hospital. Not once during her pregnancy... not even to deliver her baby. It's almost as if Tae'ya appeared out of nowhere."

Jack tapped his thigh with the heel of his hand, then sighed. "Look, this has been fun, but I'm starving. What do you say we head back to Tae'ya's place, get a little to eat and ask her about some of this."

"I don't know, Sir," Sam interjected. "Asking about how her mother died over a nice home-cooked dinner?"

He winced. "Yeah. Well... look, Carter, you've gotten pretty close to her, right?" She hoped the darkness hid the color that rose in her cheeks. "You can ask her tonight, after we go back to our respective rooms." He turned and looked to the left, then to the right. Finally, he said, "Which way is the damn house?"

---

Dinner was every bit as delicious as breakfast and lunch, although Sam had to guess on the latter. She had never actually gotten to eat her lobster. When they finished, Teal'c and Daniel went for a stroll in the field behind the house while Jack wandered the perimeter. Their leaving was an excuse to give Sam a chance to privately question Tae'ya about her mother. They retired to the tribute room, resting on giant feather pillow and sipping wine that Tae'ya hadn't served at dinner. "Our little secret," she had said, pouring a glass for the blonde. Instead of utilizing the large torches to light the room, Tae'ya had lit several candles and placed them in a circle around the indoor pool that dominated the center of the room.

Her hair looking particularly fiery when lit by candlelight, Tae'ya was more beautiful than Sam remembered. Her eyes seemed to sparkle in the darkness, lit from within by a mysterious source. The redhead fingered the edge of the pillow on which she reclined, then shyly looked over her glass at Sam before taking a quick drink. The tip of her tongue darted out, collecting the wine that had lingered on her lips before she finally asked, "Is there something you wish to talk about?"

Sam also took a sip of her wine, trying to hide her smile. The wine tasted fruity; not exactly grape, but almost like blueberries. She licked her lips, dipping her index and middle fingers into the wine to see if they returned with a blue tint. They didn't. Smiling as she licked the moisture from her fingers, Sam raised her eyes to Tae'ya's. "I've been thinking about talking to you all day... ever since our kiss," she admitted. "It's been very hard keeping my mind on track."

Giggling, Tae'ya said, "Why did you think I left the records hall? I could have cooked dinner in under one hour." She shook her head. "I could not bear the thought of being with you and not touching you."

Both of them fell into a comfortable silence, occasionally smiling at each other. Finally, Sam cleared her throat and said, "So... when're you going to make it rain?"

Tae'ya laughed. "Now, if you wish. Then we could retire for the evening."

Sam nodded slowly. "Make it rain." The sheer absurdity of the request forced Sam to smile, and she shook her head. "It's so amazing... what you're able to do."

Closing her eyes, Tae'ya sat up straight and placed her half-empty wine glass on the floor next to her pillow. Sam curled her legs up underneath her body, watching the process with fascination. After a few moments, Tae'ya opened her eyes in frustration. "Something is wrong."

"Is it me? Should I not watch?"

"No, of course not," Tae'ya said, shaking her head slowly. "No... People have witnessed it before. The problem is that I cannot... I'm finding it difficult to focus on sadness."

Sam frowned. "I'm not following you."

"Usually, I think of something sad. Something, perhaps, like the death of my parents or a story that has a sad ending. But today, I can only think of you." She smiled, her cheeks dimpling. "Normally this would not be a problem, but... I must make it rain. People count on me."

Sam tapped the floor, then said, "Well, what if I told you a sad story? Would that work?"

"Perhaps. Do you know a sad story?"

Sam's mind raced as she tried to think of something appropriate. What always made her cry, without fail? Finally, she cleared her throat. "Okay. Um... this is a very old story from our world. You see, there's this city ruled by two wealthy families; the Capulets and the Montagues. The two families hate each other with a passion, but their children... their children are another story. You see, the Capulets have a daughter named Juliet and the Montagues have a son named Romeo. Romeo and Juliet meet each other for the first time at a costume party and they fell in love, but their families wouldn't allow them to get married or even to see each other."

Tae'ya had slipped off her pillow, pulling it to her chest as she listened intently to the tale. She sipped her blueberry wine, eyes wide as Sam related the age-old tale of star-crossed lovers. By the time she got to the end of the tale, with both Romeo and Juliet dead, Tae'ya had scooted across the floor and rested her head in Sam's lap. Sam stroked the other woman's red hair, feeling the wetness of the other woman's tears on her thighs. Of course, even without the tears she would've known Tae'ya was crying. The windows of the tribute room were cascading waves of falling water.

When the story was finished, Tae'ya sat up and brushed her face. Sam winced, brushing the other woman's cheek. "This is hard... I hate seeing someone cry."

"It is what I do," Tae'ya said, her voice cracking.

Sam felt her own eyes beginning to water and chuckled. "Hope you don't mind company... I'm a sympathetic crier."

Tae'ya leaned forward and captured Sam's lips with her own. Sam could feel the salty tears on the redhead's lips and took extra care to really feel them on her lips. They tasted no different than other tears she had tasted. In fact, there was no way to differentiate between Tae'ya's tears and her own. They kissed softly for a moment, their hands resting on shoulders and hips. When they finally pulled apart, Tae'ya said, "Retire to my room, Samantha. I will join you there as soon as I can."

The blonde nodded, then stood. "Wait... your room? Why not the one where I'm staying?"

With a chuckle, Tae'ya said, "I do not think you wish your companions to overhear what we are going to be doing."

Sam blushed, then said, "I'll see you soon. Don't keep me waiting."

"I won't," the redhead promised, watching as Sam left the tribute room.

---

Jack muttered several curse words his mother would've slapped him for, then ducked under the canopy that ran most of the way around Tae'ya's house. The rain was coming down at a sharp angle (as it always did), so the cover was little protection. He hurried down the narrow walkway, hugging the wall as he moved. He turned a corner, finding a large window with light coming from within. He cupped his hands around his face, peering in to see if there was someone inside to let him in. He could barely see in the near-darkness, and was about to knock on the glass when he noticed movement near the floor.

He recognized Tae'ya, her back to him as she knelt next to Sam on the stone floor. Her head was resting on Carter's lap and the major was absently stroking the other woman's hair. Sam appeared to be speaking, her hand wrapped around the neck of a half-empty wine glass. Tae'ya sat up slowly, brushing her face as the rain began to let up. From his vantage point, Jack saw Carter was also starting to cry. The next movement was so subtle, Jack almost missed it. Before he knew what was happening, Tae'ya and Major Carter were kissing. Not a 'nice-to-see-ya-how-are-ya' kiss, but a 'let's-lose-these-clothes' kiss.

When they broke apart, Sam stood and spoke a bit more with Tae'ya. Smiling, she turned and left the large room, leaving Tae'ya alone.

Satisfied he hadn't been seen, Jack pressed against the wall of the house, trying to comprehend what he had just witnessed. The rain had stopped, so he stepped away from the pitiful cover of the canopy, looking up into the mostly cloudless sky. He took a deep breath, letting it out through his nostrils. Then, he said, "Goddamn it, Carter."

---

Sam paced nervously from one end of Tae'ya's room to the other. Her heart was pounding as she awaited her first sexual encounter in over eighteen months. She found a basin filled with water and dipped her hands in, bathing her face in the cool water, running her wet hands through her hair and blinking the droplets from her eyelashes. It was really going to happen. She walked to the bed, turning down the blankets and began to unfasten her blouse. It was halfway off when she realized Tae'ya might prefer undressing to be a part of foreplay. She refastened the blouse and walked to the window.

Hugging herself, she contemplated what the others might think if they knew what she was planning on doing. With a chuckle, she realized she knew *exactly* what they would do - and had done in the past - in her same situation. Shyla and Laira were prime examples of what the guys would think of this off-world rendezvous. And Teal'c... well, Teal'c *was* an alien, so that really didn't count.

Her ruminations were interrupted by the turning of a lock. She turned in time to see Tae'ya slip in, pushing the door shut with her shoulder as both of her hands were occupied. In one hand, she held a tall, fat candle that was currently unlit. In the other, she held a large bowl filled with the blueberry wine they had enjoyed earlier. Smiling at Sam, she placed the bowl in the center of a low table, indicating that Sam should come closer.

Sam moved to the table, kneeling on one side as Tae'ya knelt on the other. Tae'ya pulled a match from a hidden drawer on the table and lit it, lighting the wick and allowing the flame to dance wildly for a moment before sliding the candle towards Sam. "Breathe the smoke," she whispered. "Inhale the scent."

Sam pulled the candle closer, closing her eyes and letting the candle's scent to waft to her nostrils. It smelled vaguely of cinnamon and vanilla, causing her to feel slightly lightheaded. She took another breath, then opened her eyes. Tae'ya was running her fingers through the wine, looking up at Sam as she made ripples in the surface of the liquid. She raised her fingers, now wet with the blue wine, and extended her hand towards Sam.

The major leaned over the table, tracing up the side of Tae'ya's index finger with the tip of her tongue, noting how the taste of the wine improved when it was added to the flavor of the other woman's skin. Smiling, Tae'ya angled her fingers so that Sam could slowly cleanse all of the wine away. Sam eagerly drank the wine from Tae'ya's hand, placing a kiss in the hollow of the rainmaker's palm. When her task was completed, she leaned back, her legs tucked underneath her.

Smoke from the candle had filled the room with a white haze, obscuring some objects while enhancing others. Sam could smell the perfume that Tae'ya wore, the distinctive scent of it attacking her senses. Tae'ya's once violet eyes were more vibrant than ever, dancing with blues and whites that rivaled that of the Stargate. Her hair seemed to be on fire, her skin a porcelain white that made Sam fear it was breakable. 'My God,' she thought. 'I'm high! The candle is some kind of... sex-enhancing narcotic!'

When Tae'ya stood, Sam remained where she was and looked up at the woman on the other side of the table. Slowly, Tae'ya found the strings of her tunic and tugged on them, loosening the wide neck. Sam's lips were parched, her throat dry, as she watched the redhead pull the flimsy material over her head. Scarlet locks danced as the material passed over them, eventually settling again on bare shoulders. Sam pulled herself to her feet, eyes wide as she looked at Tae'ya's body. Her skin was the color of blush, her nipples nearly invisible against the flushed hue of her flesh. A smattering of freckles decorated the valley between her breasts, and Sam could hardly wait to play connect-the-dots.

Sam dipped both hands into the wine, forming a cup and bringing two handfuls up as she stood. She bit her bottom lip and carefully pressed her fingers to Tae'ya's throat. Looking into the other woman's unbelievably dazzling eyes, she tilted her hands downward and poured the wine over the curve of her breasts. The liquid clung intimately to Tae'ya's skin as it traveled down, eventually staining her drawstring pants. Flattening her palms to Tae'ya's shoulders, Sam lowered her head and trailed her lips over the moist trails of wine. Her tongue swept out, glancing over the redhead's collarbone and then dipping down towards the swell of her breast.

Tae'ya moaned low in her throat, running her fingers through Sam's short hair, holding the blonde as close as possible. Sam slid her hands down her lover's arms, moving around her waist until she slipped under the waistband of Tae'ya's pants. Her hands flattened against the other woman's ass, squeezing both cheeks as she finally closed her lips on an erect nipple.

She lightly bit down on the tit, immediately soothing the painful move with a sweep of her tongue. Turning her attention to the other nipple, Sam pulled the redhead's pants down, letting her hands explore the warm contours of Tae'ya's rear end.

By now, Tae'ya was gasping with pleasure. Sam raised her head, straightening her legs and looking into the other woman's eyes. The blonde leaned forward, holding Tae'ya's head still with one hand while Sam's hand traced the lines of Tae'ya's lips. When they finally kissed, Tae'ya was trembling with anticipation. Her hands found the front of Sam's tunic, eagerly pulling on the strings and working to get the stubborn covering off. They broke the kiss just long enough to free Sam of the concealing garment. They fell into each other again, the soft cotton tunic hurled across the room without a care.

Sam moaned into Tae'ya's mouth as their breasts rubbed intimately together, her nipples almost painfully erect as they rubbed against the other woman's. Tae'ya broke the kiss next, trailing kisses down Sam's neck and nibbling on her earlobe. Sam pressed her face into the crimson mane and whispered, "It's been so long... so long..."

Tae'ya nipped her way across Sam's shoulders, then raised her head. They shared another passionate kiss before the redhead undid the knot on Sam's drawstring pants, loosening them enough that they simply fell down the major's sculpted legs. Both nude, their bodies molded together as their lips met once more.

Sam raised one leg, hooking it on Tae'ya's hip and effortlessly spinning the other woman. Tae'ya gasped into Sam's mouth when her knees hit the side of the mattress and she fell to the soft blankets. She looked up at  Sam, eyes wide, lips parted, skin flushed with excitement. Sam crawled onto the bed, straddling Tae'ya's body just below her breasts. She bent down, brushing the back of her hand over Tae'ya's dimples, before sliding further down.

Her lower lips were already incredibly wet, leaving a trail on the redhead's abdomen as the blonde slid lower... lower... until they were face-to-face. The likeness in their heights resulted in an almost symmetrical line-up of their parts. Sam reached between their bodies, staring into royal-colored irises as she found the other woman's center. Tae'ya yelped in surprise, immediately biting her lip and smiling up at the blonde. Sam slipped her fingers over wet folds, finding her way with relative ease. Planting a kiss on Tae'ya's lips, Sam let her fingers slip inside the other woman's vagina.

The warmth was incredibly inviting. Sam dipped her fingers in a little deeper, sliding to one side so she could straddle one of Tae'ya's thighs. When she was in place, Tae'ya anticipated the move and raised her leg so that their flesh was in contact. Sam moaned and flicked her thumb over the sensitive nub of Tae'ya's clitoris. The redhead's eyes flashed open and she sat up, her mouth open wide. "What was that?!"

Sam giggled. "That?" She teased the clit a little more, smiling when she saw the other woman's reaction to it. "You've never had anyone play with your clit before?" Speaking was no longer an option, so Tae'ya simply shook her head negatively. Sam sighed, "You poor, deprived woman."

Putting off her own satisfaction for the time being, Sam moved between Tae'ya's spread legs and lowered her head to the wet slit that she had been fantasizing about since she met Tae'ya the day before. Slowly, she extended her tongue and dragged the pointed tip slowly from the perineum to the small bud at the apex. Knowing this was the other woman's first time, she teased the bud with her tongue before enveloping it in her mouth. Tae'ya gasped, her hands gripping the sheets as Sam orally manipulated this new region. "Do-Don't stop... Samantha..." the redhead pleaded.

'Like that would happen,' Sam thought. She moved her fingers now, using one hand to spread Tae'ya's vaginal lips and the other to penetrate. Her tongue continued the oral gymnastics as her fingers found a gentle rhythm in and out of the redhead's tight passage. Tae'ya's squeals became louder and more drawn out, her hands winding through Sam's hair and trying to push her closer. Sam playfully nipped the clit, twisting her fingers inside of Tae'ya.

Screaming like a banshee, Tae'ya's body went limp on the mattress and her juices exploded into Sam's mouth. Hungrily, Sam lapped up the honey like a starving woman who had just found a water fountain. It had been so long since she had reaped the benefits of a lover's orgasm. She slid her tongue up and down over Tae'ya lips, seeking every last drop she could find. When she finished, her lips, cheeks and chin were glistening as a result. Tae'ya pulled the blonde up, kissing her face and tasting her own juices on the human's skin.

When both of them were slightly calmer, Tae'ya whispered, "I do not know if... I can satisfy you as you have me."

Sam smiled and kissed Tae'ya's lips, shivering when the redhead moaned in delight. When they separated, Sam simply said, "Try."

---

Sam laughed.

"What is humorous?"

This almost made the major laugh again, but she held it back. "Nothing... it's just... I've never done this before."

Tae'ya sat up, her breasts bare and glistening in the moonlight. "You are quiet experienced for a newcomer."

Sam laughed again, both at the misconception and the double-entendre that 'new-comer' had in this connotation. She shook her head, looping one arm around Tae'ya's neck and pulling the other woman down once more. They were cuddling under the blankets a few hours after they had both finished. Both of them were sweaty, nude and very, very satisfied. Sam sighed. "No, not at sex. I've... had sex before. I've never made love to anyone I've known for less than a day."

"Ah, I see," Tae'ya said. "It has been a very long time since I have made love to anyone. I thank you for sharing your body with me, Samantha."

Sam raised an eyebrow at that. If only the people on Earth were as considerate after sex, she wouldn't have just ended an year-and-a-half long dry spell. She sighed and pressed her body closer to Tae'ya's. "You're welcome... thank you for sharing your body." She kissed the other woman's forehead, then sighed, "You... do know that I have to leave soon..." She hated sounding like the 'I have an early meeting, babe, but you were wonderful' guy.

"I am aware," Tae'ya said sadly. "I am glad we were able to enjoy this time before you left. I will treasure the memory forever, my love."

Sam shivered in Tae'ya's arms and said, "Me, too."

They were silent for a long time. Tae'ya finally spoke again. "Samantha?"

"Mm-hmm?"

"The doctor who was here earlier... Janet Fraiser... you harbor feelings for her, do you not?"

Sam stroked the red locks that had fanned across her breasts. "I... feel something for Janet. I'm not sure if it's love or just-just an infatuation, but... it doesn't matter anyway. She's straight and I'm not. It's apples and oranges."

Tae'ya nodded, then questioned, "Straight?"

"She doesn't like to sleep with other women. She prefers men as sexual partners," Sam explained. "She was married once. Even dated Daniel Jackson on one occasion. It... If I asked her out on a date or anything like that, I'd be risking my job. I could get kicked out of the Air Force for being what I am."

There was a moment of silence. Finally, Tae'ya said, "Your Earth sounds like a bizarrely strict place."

"It is," Sam agreed. "It is." After a few moments, Sam heard soft snores coming from the redhead and let herself drift off as well.

---

Sam woke the next morning and immediately realized two things: she was alone in bed (as usual) and it was raining outside. She sat up, trying to clear the cobwebs from her mind before she decided if she was fully rested. The blankets were wrapped tightly around her waist, so she rearranged them so they covered her breasts as well. "Tae'ya?" she asked, her voice thick with sleep. She stood, searching in vain for the slippers that were still at home under her bed. The rain continued to wash against the outside of the building. Sam yawned, turning and finally spotting her lover standing at the window.

Tae'ya had her back to the room, nude save for the pillow she was clutching to her breasts. Sam blinked away some sleep, taking a moment to admire the shapely form outlined by the bright light coming in through the window. "Tae'ya, are you all right? Why are you crying?"

Slowly, Tae'ya turned to face the blonde. Her eyes were dry, but wide. "I am not crying, Major Carter."

Sam blinked, climbing out of bed. She approached the window slowly, pulling the blanket around her nude body. The chill of the rain was coming through the window, filling the room with a not-uncomfortable chill. "But it... it's raining." A slow nod. "Has it even rained without you causing it?"

"For two cycles, I have caused every rain." She turned back to the window and softly said, "This has never happened before."

Reaching the window, Sam opened the blanket and enveloped Tae'ya in it. The redhead pressed her nude body against Sam's and they both watched the freak rainstorm through the window of the bedroom. The natural rainfall was something of a mystery, but it was a mystery that could wait for an answer. Sam kissed the back of her lover's neck and led her back to bed.

"Don't count the rainy days
They blow hard and then they're gone
You've got to hold on to all the dreams we've made
Remember those beautiful nights
And don't count the rainy days..."
-- Michael Martin Murphey


Chapter Three

She could control the weather."
"Hmm. Yes. That's easy."
-- Sam Carter and Orlin, 'Ascension'

Colonel O'Neill and Daniel stood in the main hall of Tae'ya's home, wearing their usual green uniforms once more. They had been thoroughly cleaned (although it took a bit longer than promised) and it looked as if they were just going to get soaked again. Teal'c had gone in search of Tae'ya and Major Carter, both of whom seemed to have vanished during the night. Jack sighed, pulling his cap off and running a hand through his hair. He always felt odd when he was in someone else's home. Especially when the owner was nowhere to be found.

The pounding had roused them about an hour earlier. Drenched townsfolk had started coming to the door to inquire about Tae'ya's health. The rain had been pouring since early that morning and showed no sign of stopping. Daniel did his best to assure the townspeople that everything was fine, but it was clear no one trusted the new arrivals. The very day that Tae'ya introduces them to aliens, the weather goes out of whack. One man blatantly accused O'Neill of causing the ruination of his crops, to which the colonel only needed one finger with which to reply. To Daniel's relief, the man didn't recognize or understand the meaning of the extended finger, thus avoiding an unneeded interplanetary incident.

Daniel was trying to urge the colonel to calm down when Teal'c returned from his odyssey. The Jaffa stood at a parade rest and reported, "I have searched the entire structure with no success, O'Neill, save for a single locked room."

"What's in the locked room?"

"I do not know," Teal'c said. "It was locked."

"No, I mean..." O'Neill released a frustrated sigh. "Do you know where it led? From when Tae'ya showed us around?"

The Jaffa shook his head once. "It was not shown to us by Tae'ya during her tour."

Jack sighed, looking in the direction Teal'c had come. He thought back, then remembered the show he had gotten while seeking shelter from the storm. "I saw this room last night... one wall made entirely out of glass... I didn't remember seeing it during the tour, either." He decided not to mention what he had seen inside the room. "Maybe Carter and Tae'ya are locked up in there for some reason." He sighed, then groaned as someone else began pounding on the door. "Teal'c, with me. Let's go check it out. Daniel, you calm down the townsfolk."

---

Sam stood next to the pillow she had reclined on the night before, sitting in the room where Tae'ya held tributes to her mother. They had locked themselves in to keep O'Neill and the others from hearing of the previous night's activities and also so they would be completely uninterrupted.

Tae'ya paced the length of the room, pausing only to look through the glass at the fields behind her home. The rain continued to fall without the slightest hedge. Every now and then, Tae'ya would touch her face as if making sure she wasn't crying. "I do not understand it," she whispered, hugging herself. "It has not rained naturally for two cycles. It-It is not possible." She looked outside again. "Perhaps I caused it somehow."

"How could you have caused it?" Sam asked, stepping forward. Sam wondered if any rush of fluids from Tae'ya's body could jump-start the rainclouds, but quickly dismissed that as it conjured far too many disgusting images for her to deal with. Instead, she simply asked, "Could... could having sex affect it?"

Tae'ya shook her head, scarlet curls bouncing on her shoulders. "No. I have had sexual relations since acquiring the ability. Men have often attempted to use my power to control crops." She shook her head once more. "The wine may have been a factor... but I doubt it."

Sam moved closer to the redhead, placing her hands on the other woman's shoulders. "We'll figure it out... it's what we're good at. I have to ask the guys for help, but they can't know what we did last night. They can't even know we kissed."

Tae'ya turned, frowning. "Are you ashamed?"

"God, no," Sam whispered, stroking her lover's cheek. "It's just... there are certain... guidelines that have to be followed. I told you about them last night. The rules of the government I work for. And one of the guidelines says that I can't be in love with another woman."

"I still think that is preposterous," Tae'ya scoffed.

"Hey, it may be preposterous, but that's the United States government for you. It has to be a secret..."

Tae'ya took a deep breath. "You told me that... you have not approached Doctor Janet for fear of the regulations. Do you also fear her turning you away?"

Sam bit her lip. "Yes. That and about a million other reasons."

Tae'ya hugged herself, turning and leaning against Sam. The major embraced the other woman. "What other reasons?" Tae'ya asked. "What keeps you from allowing yourself happiness?"

Sam sighed, running her hands down Tae'ya's back. "First of all, the Air Force regulations. Then there's the whole society idea of two women being in love. We wouldn't be allowed to legally marry, people would probably want to contest Janet's guardianship of Cassandra, it..." She shook her head. "No. It would be too hard."

Biting her lip, Tae'ya commented, "It sounds as if you have spent a great deal of time convincing yourself it is too hard."

Sam smiled, tears rising in her eyes. "Yeah," she said softly. "I have to."

They embraced for a while, then remembered the problem at hand. Tae'ya stepped back, then said, "To attempt to stop the rain is like trying to capture a star. You may try, but you will not succeed."

"We have to get your control back," Sam said. "Your town, I noticed, has no way of diverting water from the streets. No drains, no anything. How do you protect yourselves against flash floods?"

"I simply stop the rain before the water level becomes hazardous."

Sam involuntarily rolled her eyes. "But before... you haven't had this ability forever. What did you do before?"

"We did nothing. Rain was a rare occurance here, so we did not see the need for protection from flood flashes."

"Flash floods," Sam corrected. "Well, now it looks like you guys have a major storm system brewing." She rubbed her temple and said, "Okay... okay, how did you get the power in the first place? When was the first time you made it rain?"

"It was two cycles ago," Tae'ya said, moving to the window and pointing at the vague outline of the summit outside the window. "I ascended the mountain out there and spoke with my mother. I asked her to make it rain and I began to cry. The rain fell as I wept... It took me several days to realize my tears were causing the rain."

Sam recalled their conversation the day before, but suddenly realized what the other woman was saying. "Wait, you spoke to your mother on the mountaintop?"

Tae'ya nodded. "I speak to her often. Through music, through letters and sometimes by climbing the mountain again."

An idea began to form in Sam's mind, but the formation was interrupted by a loud knocking on the door. "Carter? You in there with the rain-lady?"

Sam rolled her eyes and walked to the door. "Yes, Sir. We're trying to find a way to stop the rain."

O'Neill's sigh was audible through the thick wood of the door. "Just tell her to stop crying."

"She's not crying, Sir," Sam snapped. She turned the locks on the door and pulled it open, glaring at her CO and the Jaffa standing behind him. "See for yourself. I think I have a plan to get the rain stopped, but we have other problems. The town has no storm drains, as you noticed our first night here. If the rain doesn't stop, we'll have a flooded city to worry about." O'Neill looked past her, out the window at the rain-swept field. He nodded slowly, then Sam said, "Okay. Find Daniel... ask him for the address of an unoccupied world."

"What are you planning to do, Carter?"

"Just shut up and listen," she snapped, quietly enjoying the fact that she was ordering the colonel around.

---

"She wants to do *what*?" Daniel said, jaw dropping. "That's-that's impossible, Jack. 'Gate physics won't--"

O'Neill held up five empty pillowcases and cut the younger man off. "Carter says we lay down the gate, fill these with stuff heavy enough to weigh down the chevrons to keep it under water, and dial an uninhabited world. If the Stargate is horizontal, the water will be forced through because of... magnets."

Teal'c corrected O'Neill, "I believe she said it would be due to the forces of gravity forcing the water through the event horizon. I must add that we do not know if this will work."

Daniel nodded. "Last time we ran into an underwater Stargate, the water wouldn't pass through the wormhole."

Jack grimaced. "This is where it gets complicated. See, Carter said something about... about living organisms and... pressure and..."

"Right," Daniel said, nodding enthusiastically. He was quickly understanding Sam's thinking. "The water on the world the Russian gate was connected to was actually a living organism. It didn't have the desire to pass through the Stargate, so it didn't. There's a whole ratio equation I wish I could figure out--" He noticed O'Neill's eyes becoming glazed and cut off the rest of his speech. "Suffice to say, I think laying the Stargate down could work because one, the water here is regular, normal water. There shouldn't be an energy signature coming off of it. Secondly, the added force of gravity and the weight of the water would push the water through the event horizon. It'll be like implanting a giant drain in the middle of town." He began to pace. "Of course, we'd have to get everyone to higher ground or at least get them secured so they're not sucked into the whirlpool. There *will* be a whirlpool, believe me. Okay, the water will be sucked down, the city will drain and we won't drown before Sam figures a way to stop the rain." He clapped his hands once and said, "Brilliant idea."

Jack tapped his thigh, glanced at Teal'c and muttered, "I suggested umbrellas. Giant ones, like the ones at outdoor restaurants." He shrugged and motioned at the door. "Let's get to it."

---

Tae'ya slipped into a heavy coat, pulling a hood over her head to protect her hair from the rain. Turning to Sam, she said, "It is quite an arduous climb, Samantha. Are you sure you wish to accompany me?"

Sam pulled her jacket on over her regular black t-shirt. "Positive, Tae'ya. I want to help you get through this."

Tae'ya smiled and said, "Very well. Come with me and watch the handholds I choose. Follow my lead exactly and you will not fall." She closed the distance between them and softly kissed Sam's cheek. "I shall miss you when you are gone, Sam."

"I'll miss you too, Tae'ya," Sam promised. "But... I think I learned something very important here. I'll never forget it."

"Then it was worth it," the redhead proclaimed. "Come now. We have little time." She led Sam through the large back doors and into the field. Sam's boots were completely underwater and the flood was continuing to rise. Looking up at the sky, Sam breathed a quiet prayer that the hand and footholds on the mountain weren't too slippery.

---

Daniel, tired of using one hand as a windshield wiper, dropped his glasses into a pocket on his jacket as he examined his notes. "Okay. Okay, um... let's see. MALP readings show that C42-86S was uninhabited. No animals, but plenty of plant life that could benefit from a nice rainfall... Pretty much the best choice I have in these circumstances." Considering he was without his glasses and the rain was quickly smudging the ink on the paper, he was lucky he could read what he had.

Jack and Teal'c had filled their pillowcases with rocks and empty pots and had succeeded in knocking the Stargate over with a little help from the locals. Jack thanked the merchants, then sent them to find higher ground. Curious faces peered from the safe higher ground of the rooftops, watching as the strangers played with the giant stone monument in the middle of town. The ring was floating on the surface of the floodwaters, but the strangers in green were attaching weights to it, causing it to slowly sink into the water.

When the last weight was attached, O'Neill straightened and put a hand in the middle of his back. "Geez," he muttered. "How'm I gonna explain this to my chiropractor?"

"Cannot Dr. Fraiser perform any necessary procedure to ease your pain?" Teal'c asked.

O'Neill scoffed. "Like I'm gonna let her poke and prod my sensitive skin." He bent at the waist, then said, "Whenever you're ready, Danny. Let's open the drain."

"We... we have to get anchored first," he said.

Jack nodded. "Okay. You and Teal'c get yourselves in place. I'll dial." Daniel moved to the stone wall of a restaurant, testing it's strength before hooking the nylon strap around one of the supports. He double-looped it, pulling as hard as he could to see how much give it had. Thankfully, there wasn't much. He turned and saw Teal'c doing the same, all the while keeping a cautious eye on Colonel O'Neill. Jack was inching towards the DHD, using a guidewire to keep himself on a straight path.

He reached the DHD platform with a loud yelp; the entire device was underwater and he had walked into it at crotch-level. Ducking his head underwater, O'Neill began to dial. The hollow 'chunk' of the chevrons being locked in was dulled by the water, but Daniel could hear it nonetheless. After four chevrons, Jack's head popped back up and he sputtered, "Da-Daniel!"

"What's wrong?"

Jack wiped the water from his eyes, spinning around until he could tell where he was. "What's the rest of the address?"

Daniel fumbled with his notepad and read the first one he found. "Uh... Uh, C42-8S4!"

Jack frowned. "8S4? You're positive?"

"Yes!" Daniel assured him. "Dial it, Jack!"

The colonel's head once again disappeared underwater and he continued dialing.

---

C42-8S4

Gaurav raised his head, as attuned to his surroundings as the eagle flying overhead. Something was amiss. He turned a full circle, slowly approaching the well-guarded Stargate and clenched his powerful fist around his staff weapon. The other Jaffa had also noticed the chevrons engaging. They, however, didn't know that no one was expected for several days. Whoever was coming through now was an enemy.

One of the Jaffa to his left prepared his zat, but Gaurav called him down. His heart was pounding beneath the tunic of his chain mail. He had heard tales of the Tau'ri warriors who came through Stargates unannounced. Bastet would surely reward him greatly for the heads of any Tau'ri he happened to capture or kill. The sixth chevron was locked. Gaurav moved to stand before the massive Chappa'ai... his eyes wide as he watched the inner ring dial. He was far away enough that he would avoid the initial burst when the Stargate opened, but close enough that no one coming through could escape his staff weapon.

It was going to be a glorious massacre.

The seventh chevron locked and the Stargate roared to life. The blue essence of the Gate surged outward, which the Jaffa leader expected. What he didn't expected, however, was the flood that followed. The initial burst of water slammed into Gaurav, throwing him back several yards. What trickery was this?! he mentally bellowed, eyes flashing as the water continued to flow over him. He felt it seeping through his lips and filling his mouth, blocking his airway. The Goa'uld larvae within him was screeching as the water continued to flow.

Within a matter of minutes, the valley that Gaurav had guarded with his life was standing at the bottom of a brand-new lake. The Stargate continued to spew forth more and more water as the seconds ticked by...

---

To see the opening of a wormhole underwater is truly an amazing sight; the surface ripples and it appears as though the water has come to life. Seconds later, a water spout explodes upward, not only pulling water up, but spinning it like a thread on a spool. When the event horizon collapses and stabilizes, it's as if the water has sucked in it's stomach. Soon, the whirlpool begins, a wide mouth of churning water that culminates around the center of the disturbance.

Daniel had seen pretty much the exact same phenomenon in his bathtub (save for the initial water spout), but to see it on such a massive scale was awe-inspiring. He hardly had time to contemplate the situation as he saw Colonel O'Neill break the surface, desperately fighting the current that wanted to pull him into the vortex. It was clear what the problem was; the thin black object trailing behind Jack's body wasn't a snake. His safety line had snapped. He was adrift and being pulled towards a whirlpool that led to an alien world. As much as he wanted to help, Daniel could barely keep himself on his feet. His security wire was stretched to the limits, the material digging into his abdomen as he tried to keep away from the swirling water a few yards ahead.

Teal'c released a catch on his own security line and surged forward, barely managing to click his latch back in place before the cord ran out. He was at the very limits of his line and was just over an arm's reach of Colonel O'Neill. The colonel saw Teal'c and stopped struggling, letting the current carry him a few feet. The Jaffa grabbed Jack, holding tightly to the man as he used his one free hand to edge his way back up the safety line. Even from where he was anchored, Daniel could see the muscles of the Jaffa's arm rippling in exertion. He winced in sympathetic pain as he watched Teal'c slowly inch his way back up the cord.

A few tense minutes passed before Teal'c once again reached the wall. He re-secured his safety line and clung to the wall, making sure that O'Neill was conscious and safe. Jack shook his head, blinking to get the water from his eyes, then tapped the side of his head to clean out his ears. He saw Daniel across the vast expanse of water and his face broke into a grin. He released a loud, "Whoo-oo-ooouuup!" Then he shook his head and screamed, "Now *THAT* was a blast!"

---

"Blast!" Tae'ya muttered, pressing her face against the hard stone wall in front of her. "Samantha? Are you okay?"

Sam's voice carried up the side of the mountain. "I'm fine. You?"

"I am unharmed," Tae'ya said, although she was a bit disappointed at the deterioration of her climbing skills. She had become far too reliant on the tribute room... Her foot had tried to find support on a wet rock (the fourth so far) and caused the rock to come loose. Though the blonde denied it, Tae'ya was certain at least two of the falling stones had impacted Sam. Tae'ya grit her teeth and looked up. It wasn't far to the summit now; soon, she would be with her mother and this whole deluge nonsense would be at an end. She pushed herself higher, grunting with the effort it took. Not long now... just four or five hundred more yards...

---

Daniel rubbed his eyes before squinting at the mountain. The distorted view was partially the fault of the rain and partially the fault of his myopia. But even through all of that, he thought he could make out two small shapes making their way near the summit. "Hey, Jack," he called across the courtyard. When O'Neill looked, Daniel pointed and said, "Is that Sam and Tae'ya?"

Jack turned and looked, his footing slightly swayed by the constant rush of water towards the Star-Drain. "I think so," he called back. "Could be anything, who knows?"

Daniel nodded, then looked at the wide whirlpool. Finally, he asked the question that had been bugging him. "Hey, Jack? What happens in thirty-eight minutes when the Stargate shuts off?"

Jack shrugged. "We redial."

Daniel looked down at his notebook, then said, "I think I gave you the wrong address...."

---

Tae'ya scrambled onto the plateau at the top of the mountain, taking a moment to examine the familiar terrain. She knelt then, reaching down to help her new lover finish the climb. Once they were both safe on flat ground, Tae'ya smiled and brushed some gravel and dirt from the blonde's face. Sam did the same for Tae'ya, then kissed the redhead's lips. They stood together, looking over the area they had reached. It was an oval shape about the size of a football field, with jagged outcroppings extending from the plateau.

Sam realized that she and Tae'ya had just climbed a mountain with a steady stream of water running over them. Never in a million years would she have thought they could've made it. Luckily she hadn't stopped to think. She ran a hand through her hair, then said, "Now what? Do we... wait for her to show up or is there some way we can contact her?"

Tae'ya looked up to the sky and was about to speak when a melodic voice sounded from behind them. "It is unnecessary, my daughter. I am here."

Both women turned, shocked by the sudden appearance of a third person in their midst. Tae'ya's mother stood a few feet away, smiling serenely at them. She looked deceivingly younger than Tae'ya, her scarlet hair bound in a tight bun. She was wearing a thin white dress that was untouched by the rain, a pearl-colored sweater covering her arms and keeping them protected from the cold. She smiled sweetly, her violet eyes ('That's where Tae'ya got those eyes,' Sam thought) twinkling brilliantly. "Hello," the woman said softly, bowing at her waist. "I am Adalia Nerina."

"Samantha Carter," Sam said. "I'm... friends with your daughter."

"I am aware," Adalia said, her smile wavering slightly. "It is why I am here."

Sam frowned. "I-I thought you died twenty-five years ago."

"I am afraid that was a ruse I forced your father to assist me with, Tae'ya. In truth, I am a member of a race of ascended beings and had simply returned to my people."

"You're a member of Oma Desala's race? Of... of Orlin's race?" Sam couldn't believe how many ascended beings they were running into on their cosmic meanderings. Realization dawned on her. "Tae'ya wasn't making it rain... *you* were."

Adalia shook her head slowly. "You are wrong. The ability belonged to my daughter, that is true. She was endowed with it at birth. Allow me to explain. I came to Faylinn to explore their customs. To see how they lived. I made the mistake of falling in love with a local man who did not know of my true nature. Over time, I considered abandoning my ascension to be with him forever, but my people did not care about my feelings. So, the night I was to leave, I bonded with the man. I allowed him to touch my presence. It temporarily took his consciousness and, by the time he awoke, I was pregnant with Tae'ya."

Sam blinked. She didn't like the similarities between what Adalia was describing and her own encounter with Orlin. "You bonded with him. This, uh... does this have something to do with you turning into a bright light and enveloping him? Allowing him to see into your mind and soul?"

"Yes," Adalia said. "It is more intimate than the physical, mortal act of lovemaking. Before Tae'ya, I was unaware it could produce an offspring. I was allowed to carry her to term and give birth, but I had to leave immediately afterward. I convinced my beloved to concoct the story of the outbreak to explain my disappearance. Since then, I watched over my treasured miracle. When she first asked to make it rain, I simply opened her mind so she could see that the ability was within her."

"Tae'ya is... is the offspring of a mortal and an ascended human?"

Adalia nodded slowly. "A hybrid. She retains many of our abilities locked away within her soul, but she is and shall always be mortal. But it is for this reason that I must stop what is occuring."

Sam blinked the wetness from her eyes, realizing that the rain had stopped. "What are you stopping?"

"Your hearts. Last night, you pledged your bodies to one another. I felt it was of upmost importance that I stop anything else from occuring. Tae'ya, I am truly sorry, but you cannot love a mortal."

"Bullshit," Sam hissed. "Just because you made a mistake, she's not allowed to love anyone? How is that fair?"

Adalia looked at her feet, looking deeply sorry. "There are abilities we possess that you are not aware of, Samantha Carter. There is a possibility, even in a relationship as yours, for a child to be born. We cannot allow another hybrid child to be born to this universe. I did not step in before last night because... I could not bear to keep my child from happiness."

"So one night of sex and that's it?"

"I am afraid so," Adalia whispered.

Sam turned to Tae'ya. "Come to Earth with me. We'll pull some strings, get you assigned to... to NORAD. Whatever it takes."

Tae'ya looked at her mother, seeing in her mother's eyes what she already knew to be true. She closed her eyes for a moment, then turned to Sam. "I cannot. They will follow me wherever I try to run." She touched Sam's face, letting her fingers drift through the golden locks. "We agreed that we would not make this relationship permanent. However, at the time, I did not anticipate how difficult it would be to say good-bye to you."

Sam closed her eyes, fighting back the tears. "I've only known you one day," she whispered. "How the hell could it hurt so bad to say good-bye after one fucking day?"

Tae'ya kissed Sam softly, then stepped back. "You have another waiting for you. Go to her. Seek her out."

Adalia stepped forward as Sam was nodding. "I must return to my people. Tae'ya... I would like to offer you a place beside me. I and the others will assist you in ascending. All you have to do is ask."

Sam took the redhead's hand, squeezing it reassuringly. "Sounds like an adventure."

Adalia nodded slowly. "Worry not for your friends here, Tae'ya. They will be well taken care of. I have ensured the rain will fall often here."

Sam grinned through her tears and said, "You guys... really just play fast and loose with the rules of mother nature, don't you?"

Adalia simply smiled. Whether she was being mystical or if she really didn't understand the statement, Sam couldn't tell. Tae'ya took a deep breath, then looked up at the clearing sky. "The storm has broken."

With a heavy sigh, Sam said, "I've said good-bye to two ascended beings in my lifetime. It's gotta get easier, right?"

"Good-bye is never easy," Tae'ya said. "But know this Samantha Carter. We will no longer be several million light years apart. Once I'm ascended, I can travel the universe as easily as I crossed the floor during our dance."

Tae'ya leaned forward, applying gentle pressure to Sam's lips. Her fine hands came up slowly, cupping the blonde's face as their tongues touched for the final time. Sam pulled back from the kiss, feeling her tears flowing. "Good-bye, Tae'ya." When she opened her eyes, she was standing in the middle of town, alone, her uniform soaked but everything around her bone dry. She blinked several times, trying to figure out what had just happened.

All traces of the storm and the flood were gone. Papers and debris littered the streets, but it simply looked as if a strong wind had come through and knocked everything down. Slowly, she began walking north in the hopes of running into someone familiar. She got her wish just outside of the records hall. Daniel, O'Neill and Teal'c were exiting as she approached, speaking to a short, bald man in robes. Daniel brightened when he saw her and ran over. "Sam! We've been looking for you. Where have you been all day?"

"Wha... all day?" she repeated.

O'Neill nodded. "Yeah. The rain stopped yesterday. We helped the townspeople clean up, but when we went back to Tae'ya's place, you two were nowhere to be found." He looked around, then said, "Where were you hiding? Where's Tae'ya?"

Sam opened her mouth to speak, but only managed a strangled sob.

---

The debriefing had lasted a little over an hour. Hammond hadn't liked being called to the base at one in the morning, but he was eager to hear the details of the 'Rainy Day Mission,' as O'Neill had decided to dub it. After telling her side of the story (leaving out, of course, all of the hedonistic qualities), she had taken a long, hot shower and dried herself off as slowly as possible. The act of simply standing under a stream of water had never felt so inviting and wonderful.

After she had finally given up the stall, she had moved to the benches that ran in front of the lockers and took a seat, dressed in her tank top and gym shorts. She paused, just sitting still for a moment, then reached into her open locker and withdrew the tape recorder. It was still cued to the beginning of Tae'ya's tribute song. She was about to hit play when she felt goose bumps rise on her arm and heard the door open a crack. Colonel O'Neill's voice carried through the room, echoed off the walls as he asked, "Hey, Carter... You decent?"

"Yes, Sir," she said, brushing her cheeks to catch any stray tears she might've shed. Although she was barely in skivvies, it was nothing her CO hadn't seen before. She tucked the recorder into her locker and stood, flattening her palms against her shorts as she stood. When O'Neill entered, she straightened her back out of instinct, going into a rigid stance. She relaxed before he told her 'at ease.'

He stood nervously next to the row of lockers, planting himself a few feet away from her with his hands buried in his pockets. He was obviously uncomfortable being in the locker room during Women's Time. It didn't help that his very attractive 2IC was standing in front of him, half-dressed. "Tae'ya's gone, isn't she?"

"Yes, Sir," she whispered.

Sgt. Rebecca Silverman entered, saw Colonel O'Neill and spun on her heel, disappearing back into the hall. Neither Sam nor O'Neill noticed her interruption.

O'Neill groaned and walked a few paces, covering his face. "I'm not going to pretend... that you were just good buddies with her. I know what really happened. I know all about the... kiss." Sam tensed. "I won't pretend it didn't happen... but I won't report it either." Sam looked up, a bit shocked at her by-the-book COs attitude. He sighed and explained, "Look. This is the Air Force. Something like that... even if it *is* just a kiss... is career destroying. Your life would be turned upside down. All because some cockamamie dickhead in Washington decides his ass is too tight to allow women to love each other." He fidgeted with the hem of his shirt, then said, "Anyway. Um... I know I wouldn't want trouble due to any anti-regulation feelings I may have for a certain member of my team. I just wanted you to know."

Sam took a deep breath, then said, "Thank you, Sir. That means a lot to me."

With little more than a grunt, O'Neill turned and left the locker room. Alone once more, Sam returned to her seat and retrieved the tape recorder. Sgt. Silverman returned now that the locker room was man-free and stripped out of her uniform shirt, turning the combination into her locker. Sam thumbed the play button on the tape recorder and listened to the soft melodies that Tae'ya had played for her. After a few seconds, she heard Silverman say, "Wow... what is that?"

Sam smiled softly, her eyes wet with tears. "Someone I might've loved... given the chance."

"Wow," Silverman repeated. "What's keeping you apart?"

"It doesn't matter," Sam shook her head. "We'll never be together." She stood and pulled on a denim shirt, searching for her jeans in the mess that was her locker. "Besides, I think I'm supposed to be with someone else...

---

She pounded on the door four times, stepping back and looking up at the dark windows. "Come on, Janet," she whispered. "Wake up..." It was four AM and the doctor probably hadn't been asleep very long. Sam stepped forward, rapping three more times and stepping away again. This time, she saw a light on the far side of the house come on. She waited patiently until she heard locks turning and chains being disengaged. The door swung open and Janet Fraiser leaned against the frame, carefully tucking her curves into a terrycloth robe.

Hiding a yawn, Janet said, "Sam? What's wrong this time?" She shook her head, then decided on a better question to ask. "Do you *know* what time it is?"

"I know," she said softly. "I'm sorry, but... I needed to talk with you."

"Knocking on my door this early... Cassandra has school tomorrow, you know." She ran a hand through her beautifully mussed hair. "Can't this wait until tomorrow? I have some free time in my office if you wa-"

Sam cut the brunette off. "No, Janet! It can't wait until tomorrow, it can't wait until next week, it can't wait for half an hour. Please, Janet, I desperately need to talk to you... before I lose the nerve. Please... can I come inside?"

The tirade had captured Janet's attention. She blinked through her exhaustion and stepped aside, ushering the blonde inside. Sam stepped past the petite doctor, noting the slight smell of strawberry conditioner in her hair, and headed for the living room. Janet closed the door, unaware she was about to engage in what could be a life-changing conversation.

End


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