Title: Payback
Author: Cabouse18
E-mail: Cabouse18@hotmail.com
Disclaimer: I don't own them. They are products of MGM except my character, Ryan Bragg. So please don't sue.
Category: SJ Romance; angst; h/c
Spoilers/Sequel: Divide & Conquer; Desperate Measures; Chain Reaction; 2001
Season: 5, Daniel is still alive.
Content Warnings: Language and Sexual Situations (later parts)
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Kinsey will do anything to get back at Jack.
Notes: Feedback is welcome. Any criticism you have or ways to improve the story will be greatly appreciated. Please be kind this is my first fic.
He was mad. No, he was pissed. Once again O'Neill had managed to thwart his plans and make him look like an idiot in front of everyone. To make matters worse, he couldn't retaliate against O'Neill because he had dirt on him on his dealings with the N.I.D. Dirt that could prevent him from becoming president one day. Jack O'Neill had to pay and he knew just what would make him suffer.
(0)
Sitting at the outside café just across the street from the park SG-1 was relishing the opportunity to relax. Taking a sip of his coffee, Jack listened as Daniel tried to explain the idea behind of a Frisbee to Teal'c.
"I do not see how one could draw pleasure from throwing a plastic disc around." The stoic jaffa said as he held the foreign abject in his hand.
"It's a game Teal'c. You're not supposed to understand it, you are just supposed to enjoy it," Jack supplied, seeing that Daniel was getting no where with his explanation. Sam simply smiled. Her CO had the ability to pretty blunt when he wanted to and she was sure he didn't want to listen to Daniel go through the historic timeline of a Frisbee.
"Right" replied Daniel eyeing Jack and then looking to Sam, who was trying to hide a smile. "Let's just go try out and see if you like it" taking the plastic disc from Teal'c and rising from his chair. "Come on. We'll go across the street and I'll show you how to throw it" he said as he started to walk off.
Rising from his chair Teal'c still looked weary, "I still do not see the point of this tauri ritual,"
As Teal'c made his way over to where Daniel was across the street, Jack leaned over to Sam and said "I wish I brought my camera." She smiled. Satisfied with her reaction he continued, "What do you think Master Bra'tac would say if he saw Teal'c playing with a plastic disc?" Same laughed.
"I don't think he would consider it a survival ritual, sir"
"I don't know the wrist technique could come in handy in battle,"
"Only if he is going to throw Frisbees at the enemy sir." She replied flashing him the smile that was reserved for him and him alone. They both laughed at the thought of Teal'c using a Frisbee as a weapon.
Glancing across the street it was obvious to everyone in the park that Daniel was getting nowhere with Teal'c. "Maybe we should go and help Daniel, sir. I really think he could use some." She said just as the Frisbee from Teal'c hit some guy sitting on the grass in the head.
"Yeah you're right. Let's get over there before he puts it through someone's head" replied Jack rising from his chair and finishing off the last of his coffee.
Sam followed suit stating "well then sir I guess Teal'c could use the Frisbee as a weapon." Jack simply smiled as he walked passed her. Neither saw the man taking aim on building top behind them.
As Jack turned around with a comeback to her statement a lone gun shot rang through the crowd. Years of training quickly kicked in as he crouched on his knees. Looking to his left he noticed that Sam had not ducked. He thought it was odd considering Sam has such quick reflexes. "Carter, get down." What he saw next would haunt him for the rest of his life.
Sam had started to follow her CO when she heard a gun shot and then felt a strong shooting pain in her side. Immediately placing her hand over the pained area, she vaguely heard Jack yell to her.
"Carter, get down."
Looking up Sam could see that Jack was staring at her, his eyes silently pleading for her to be alright. Sorry sir not this time. She thought as she removed her hand from her back and looked at it- it was covered in blood. Quickly looking from her hand to Jack she would never forget the look of fear in his eyes as he realized why she hadn't ducked when he did.
"Sir.." she said weakly as she began to collapse. Jack was there in an instant to break her fall.
"Carter" he started as he lowered her to the ground frantically trying to stem the blood flow. By now Teal'c and Daniel having heard the shot had made their way from across the street.
"Jack what happ" Daniel started as he managed to part the crowd. When caught site of his teammate and friend on the ground surrounded by the quickly growing pool of blood he could have sworn he felt his heart stop.
"Daniel, get some help." Jack yelled back at him as he applied pressure to Sam's wound "Come on Carter hold on."
Immediately understanding what Jack meant when he had said to get help, Daniel pulled out his cell phone and dialed the number to the SGC.
Meanwhile Jack was still trying to keep most of Sam's blood in her body. He could see that Sam was slowly slipping away as her face had become pale and she was having trouble keeping her eyes open. "Stay with me Major, that's an order" he said hoping that her military training would kick in and keep her conscious.
"I'm trying to sir but I am really tired."
"I know you are but you have to stay awake. Daniel is calling for help right now, you are going to be fine and laughing at my jokes again in no time" he said faking a smile, trying not to let it show that he was terrified that he might lose the woman and solider he had grown to love so much.
"The mountain is sending us transportation and Janet and her team will be ready when we get there" said Daniel as he reappeared, silently praying that his friend would make it that long.
People scrambled out of the way as Sam's gurney made its way through the halls of SGC. Jack hadn't left her side the entire time and was now clutching her hand as hard as his hand would allow, not caring who saw. He periodically glanced down at Sam's oxygen mask covered face only to find her looking up at him through half closed eyes.
"Hang on Carter. We're almost there" he said as they were entering the infirmary. Suddenly Jack felt a restraining hand on his shoulder.
"I'm sorry sir you are going to have to wait out here while we prep her for surgery" started Janet "I will let you know as soon as we come out of surgery and I know the General wants an explanation."
"Yeah ok" he stated solemnly still staring at the entrance to the infirmary.
"Come on Jack, Janet will let us know when San is out of surgery" said Daniel replacing Janet's hand with his own absently pulling him away from the infirmary.
"You are no use to Major Carter if you stand here all day, O'Neill" stated the jaffa. The statement seemed to wake Jack out of his trance and he turned to look at his two remaining teammates.
"You're right let's go see Hammond and find the bastards who did this" he said as he took one last look at the doors to the infirmary and then slowly made his way to where General Hammond resided. "Please God let her live" he silently pleaded to himself as he entered the elevator.
General George Hammond looked around the briefing table at his best team and his heart broke. It was obvious how close SG-1 was but he could tell that the three sitting with him would be devastated if the woman in the infirmary didn't make it. He was also sure that Jack O'Neill would fall over the edge of despair if his 2IC died. He knew about the confessions they had both made during the Za'tarc testing and you didn't make general if you weren't observant of those under your command. Taking one last look at the downcast faces around the table he knew this would be a hard debriefing.
"What happened?" he asked looking toward his 2IC
Taking a deep breath in order to control his emotions, Jack tried to explain the events to the general while he pictured the horrific incident as it happened in his head. "We were at the park, sitting at a café. Carter and I were walking towards Daniel and Teal'c, who were across the street, when a shot rang out. I didn't see from where, all I know is it was from behind us." He took another deep breath as the events that took place next replayed like a bad b-movie in his mind. "I ducked and tried to determine where the shot had come from but when I noticed that Carter was still standing I yelled to her to get down, that's when I noticed that she was hit. I managed to catch her right before she hit the ground."
Hammond could see the pained look on Jack's face as he recounted the event and decided to leave his explanation at that. "Where were you and Teal'c when this happened?" he asked looking at Daniel.
"We were across the street in the park. I was showing Teal'c how to throw a Frisbee. I didn't see what happened, we only heard the shot and by the time we made it to where Jack and Sam were she was already on the ground."
"I to saw nothing General Hammond" replied Teal'c looking his usual unemotional self.
"Ok. I've ordered the area to be combed but as you know we have no jurisdiction outside this mountain. So far the local law enforcement hasn't found anything. All we know, from witnesses is that the shot originated from a building roof somewhere behind your location."
"No one saw anything?" asked Daniel
"If they did, they are not coming forward but you have to realize that these people were probably scared out of their minds and were too confused to notice anything."
"Whoever it was they were smart." Stated Jack
"What do mean by that, Jack?"
"They shot into a crowded public area knowing that people would be too frightened and confused to look where the shot came from." He replied still looking at his hands on the table.
"If that is the case then it is reasonable that one of us was the intended target, for only shot was fired." Stated Teal'c
"You think it was the N.I.D?" said Daniel but it was more of a statement than a question.
"It is possible" replied the Jaffa.
"No, this isn't the N.I.D's style. They wouldn't shoot into a crowd to get at one of us. They would be more covert" stated Jack
"Well then who?" asked Daniel as if pleading to his friend for an answer but Jack didn't have time to answer as Hammond jumped in.
"Whoever it was it is safe to assume they are from earth and that they wanted to make a statement by shooting at you in public area."
"They weren't shooting at all of us" Jack started getting the attention from everyone at the table. "If they were they could have easily taken me out as I rose to help Carter or Daniel or Teal'c as they made their way across the street."
"So you think Sam was the target?" Jack simply nodded his head in reply. Daniel was about to ask another question when the General's phone in his office rang.
"Excuse me" said the General rising. The team simply watched his conversation the entity on the other side of the phone. When he hung up and returned to the table they held their breath in hope that he had good news.
"That was Major Davis at the Pentagon. His people found the shooter" the three faces looking back at him rose in anticipation. "He's dead. They found his body 2 miles from the scene he was shot in the back of the dead." The faces fell.
"Well what do we do now?" asked Daniel
"I'm afraid our hands are tied" replied the General. "I'll make few calls but again we have no jurisdiction outside this mountain. Dismissed"
After being dismissed Jack immediately made his way to the infirmary. With Daniel and Teal'c on his heals he kept running the scenario over and over in his head. "Were they aiming at Carter or at him?" Not trying to sound self centered, it's just that he had way more enemies than Carter did and it would seem more likely for someone to take a shot at him and not her. That brought up another question "did they shoot Carter to get back at him?" Posing this question to himself only made Jack more determined to find whoever was responsible. It also made him feel guilty. If the second scenario was the case then it was his fault that the woman he loves was in danger of losing her life and he would never forgive himself if she died. He didn't realize were he was until he heard an SF stop him.
"I'm sorry sir. Doctor Fraiser left instructions not to let anyone into infirmary"
"Has there been any word?" Daniel asked the young solider
"No. I'm sorry." The SF replied hoping not to bring the wrath of Colonel O'Neill down on him. Everyone on base knew that the Colonel and Major were close and there were even betting pools as to when the two would get to together but no one wanting to be on the receiving end of the Colonel when something happened to Major Carter.
The three men took positions against opposite walls waiting for news on their friend. After about an hour and a half Jack moved from his position against the wall, took one last look at the infirmary doors turned and made his way back toward the elevators. This didn't go unnoticed by Daniel or Teal'c.
"Jack where are you going?" asked a confused Daniel who was sure that his friend would camp outside the infirmary and not even an impending invasion from the Goa'uld could make him move and now he was leaving.
"I am going to find the bastard who is responsible for this." He replied and then turned and continued walking towards the elevators. Just then Janet emerged from the infirmary
"Janet." That one simple word made Jack stop in his tracks and turn making eye contact with the petite doctor he didn't say anything. His eyes willed her not to tell him any bad news.
"Don't look at me like that Colonel. She is alive but barely."
"What happened" asked Daniel breaking the silence that followed her statement
Breaking eye contact with the Colonel, Janet took a deep breath and looked at Daniel. "She lost a lot of blood, the bullet was lodged near her spine and we had to remove her spleen. She slipped into a coma soon after that and I can't say for certain if there will be any permanent damage to her spine or brain."
"Why?" asked Daniel not sure he wanted to know the answer. Jack still hadn't moved from his position fearing that if he did his legs would give out
"There is a lot of swelling around her spine because of trauma and her heart stopped for several minutes causing her brain to be deprived of oxygen. I won't know more until I run a CAT scan."
"But she is going to make it right?"
"I don't know Daniel. The next 24 hours are critical." She replied breaking eye contact with and reestablishing it with Jack. "Sam's a fighter and if she makes it through the next 24 hours then her odds are even better."
"Can we see her." Said Jack finally breaking his silence and walking back towards the group
"Yes but only for a little while. As I said she is critical." With that said Jack walked past Janet and the others into the infirmary. What he saw made his heart break.
Sam was lying prone on the bed with more machines surrounding her that Jack wasn't sure where they ended and Sam began. As he slowly approached she took note that the sheets had more color than she did. Given that Sam was a fair skinned person but at this moment she almost looked transparent. Sitting down in the chair next to her he took her hand in his told her to be strong and that he would get the sons of bitches to did this to her.
"Major Carter is strong O'Neill I have every confidence that she will beat this" said Teal'c taking a position at the edge of the bed. Jack wasn't even aware that anyone had followed him in until he heard Teal'c speak. "We will find those responsible for this O'Neill."
"Bet your ass we will Teal'c and when we do I am gonna make sure they never forget what they did." He replied giving Sam's hand one more squeeze before rising and turning and facing his teammates. Without saying another word he left the infirmary. Teal'c went to follow but Daniel stopped him
"Let him go Teal'c he needs to be alone right now."
'If he intends to find those responsible should we not be with him Daniel Jackson."
"What Daniel means Teal'c" started Janet " is that the Colonel needs some time to himself to sort out what happened. I am sure that if you are needed he will call you."
Teal'c simply nodded and refocused his attention on Sam.
Daniel on the other hand, had a pretty good idea why Jack wanted to be alone. He was hurting and Jack was the type of person who didn't talk about how he felt he simply bottled it up and dealt with it in his own way. Although Daniel was afraid because this time he knew that if his friend bottled this up it would destroy him. He knew Jack cared a great deal for Sam, hell he was sure he loved her, and her death might be the one thing could break his friend and send him back to the dark place he was when they first met. He also had the feeling that wherever Jack was going to get answers he would have to go alone. Daniel sat down in the chair, Jack had occupied earlier, leaned in and whispered, "Sam you have to fight I don't know what will happen if you don't."
Before leaving the mountain Jack made a quick stop at his office and now he stood across the street from the cafe next to a tree, partially hidden in the brush, and simply watched the police sweep the area. As he stood there a million questions ran through his mind, 'what if she didn't make it?' what if she did make it and she couldn't walk or had brain damage?' would she hate him if it was discovered that it was his fault she was shot?' would he be able to live with himself if it ever came to that?' Jack was broken out of his thoughts by a familiar voice.
"Hey Jack"
"I see you got my message" he replied without even turning around still staring straight ahead but not really looking at anything in particular
"For what it's worth I'm sorry what happened" this made Jack turn around
"I don't care if you're sorry Harry. What I want to know is if you have any information about what happened."
"Well it's nice to know I am still needed and before you go off on me I do have some info on who did this and I can tell you that you weren't the target." Jack looked at him with a surprised look on his face. "Come on Jack you and I both know that's what you were thinking."
Jack remained silent he simply looked at the ground because he knew that Maybourne was right.
"Making this situation your fault won't help the situation Jack."
"Oh come off it Harry, if I wanted a psychological evaluation I would've went to McKenzie not you. What information do you have?" it was obvious that to Maybourne that Jack was losing patience with him and he was a little afraid because he was well aware of how Jack felt about Major Carter that was evident the time she disappeared compliments of Adrian Conrad.
"Like I said I know is responsible for this but getting him is going to be difficult."
"Who is it?"
"Kinsey."
Author: Cabouse18
E-mail: Cabouse18@hotmail.com
Disclaimer: I don't own them. They are products of MGM except my character, Ryan Bragg. So please don't sue.
Category: SJ Romance; angst; h/c
Spoilers/Sequel: Divide & Conquer; Desperate Measures; Chain Reaction; 2001
Season: 5, Daniel is still alive.
Content Warnings: Language and Sexual Situations (later parts)
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Kinsey will do anything to get back at Jack.
Notes: Feedback is welcome. Any criticism you have or ways to improve the story will be greatly appreciated. Please be kind this is my first fic.
He was mad. No, he was pissed. Once again O'Neill had managed to thwart his plans and make him look like an idiot in front of everyone. To make matters worse, he couldn't retaliate against O'Neill because he had dirt on him on his dealings with the N.I.D. Dirt that could prevent him from becoming president one day. Jack O'Neill had to pay and he knew just what would make him suffer.
(0)
Sitting at the outside café just across the street from the park SG-1 was relishing the opportunity to relax. Taking a sip of his coffee, Jack listened as Daniel tried to explain the idea behind of a Frisbee to Teal'c.
"I do not see how one could draw pleasure from throwing a plastic disc around." The stoic jaffa said as he held the foreign abject in his hand.
"It's a game Teal'c. You're not supposed to understand it, you are just supposed to enjoy it," Jack supplied, seeing that Daniel was getting no where with his explanation. Sam simply smiled. Her CO had the ability to pretty blunt when he wanted to and she was sure he didn't want to listen to Daniel go through the historic timeline of a Frisbee.
"Right" replied Daniel eyeing Jack and then looking to Sam, who was trying to hide a smile. "Let's just go try out and see if you like it" taking the plastic disc from Teal'c and rising from his chair. "Come on. We'll go across the street and I'll show you how to throw it" he said as he started to walk off.
Rising from his chair Teal'c still looked weary, "I still do not see the point of this tauri ritual,"
As Teal'c made his way over to where Daniel was across the street, Jack leaned over to Sam and said "I wish I brought my camera." She smiled. Satisfied with her reaction he continued, "What do you think Master Bra'tac would say if he saw Teal'c playing with a plastic disc?" Same laughed.
"I don't think he would consider it a survival ritual, sir"
"I don't know the wrist technique could come in handy in battle,"
"Only if he is going to throw Frisbees at the enemy sir." She replied flashing him the smile that was reserved for him and him alone. They both laughed at the thought of Teal'c using a Frisbee as a weapon.
Glancing across the street it was obvious to everyone in the park that Daniel was getting nowhere with Teal'c. "Maybe we should go and help Daniel, sir. I really think he could use some." She said just as the Frisbee from Teal'c hit some guy sitting on the grass in the head.
"Yeah you're right. Let's get over there before he puts it through someone's head" replied Jack rising from his chair and finishing off the last of his coffee.
Sam followed suit stating "well then sir I guess Teal'c could use the Frisbee as a weapon." Jack simply smiled as he walked passed her. Neither saw the man taking aim on building top behind them.
As Jack turned around with a comeback to her statement a lone gun shot rang through the crowd. Years of training quickly kicked in as he crouched on his knees. Looking to his left he noticed that Sam had not ducked. He thought it was odd considering Sam has such quick reflexes. "Carter, get down." What he saw next would haunt him for the rest of his life.
Sam had started to follow her CO when she heard a gun shot and then felt a strong shooting pain in her side. Immediately placing her hand over the pained area, she vaguely heard Jack yell to her.
"Carter, get down."
Looking up Sam could see that Jack was staring at her, his eyes silently pleading for her to be alright. Sorry sir not this time. She thought as she removed her hand from her back and looked at it- it was covered in blood. Quickly looking from her hand to Jack she would never forget the look of fear in his eyes as he realized why she hadn't ducked when he did.
"Sir.." she said weakly as she began to collapse. Jack was there in an instant to break her fall.
"Carter" he started as he lowered her to the ground frantically trying to stem the blood flow. By now Teal'c and Daniel having heard the shot had made their way from across the street.
"Jack what happ" Daniel started as he managed to part the crowd. When caught site of his teammate and friend on the ground surrounded by the quickly growing pool of blood he could have sworn he felt his heart stop.
"Daniel, get some help." Jack yelled back at him as he applied pressure to Sam's wound "Come on Carter hold on."
Immediately understanding what Jack meant when he had said to get help, Daniel pulled out his cell phone and dialed the number to the SGC.
Meanwhile Jack was still trying to keep most of Sam's blood in her body. He could see that Sam was slowly slipping away as her face had become pale and she was having trouble keeping her eyes open. "Stay with me Major, that's an order" he said hoping that her military training would kick in and keep her conscious.
"I'm trying to sir but I am really tired."
"I know you are but you have to stay awake. Daniel is calling for help right now, you are going to be fine and laughing at my jokes again in no time" he said faking a smile, trying not to let it show that he was terrified that he might lose the woman and solider he had grown to love so much.
"The mountain is sending us transportation and Janet and her team will be ready when we get there" said Daniel as he reappeared, silently praying that his friend would make it that long.
People scrambled out of the way as Sam's gurney made its way through the halls of SGC. Jack hadn't left her side the entire time and was now clutching her hand as hard as his hand would allow, not caring who saw. He periodically glanced down at Sam's oxygen mask covered face only to find her looking up at him through half closed eyes.
"Hang on Carter. We're almost there" he said as they were entering the infirmary. Suddenly Jack felt a restraining hand on his shoulder.
"I'm sorry sir you are going to have to wait out here while we prep her for surgery" started Janet "I will let you know as soon as we come out of surgery and I know the General wants an explanation."
"Yeah ok" he stated solemnly still staring at the entrance to the infirmary.
"Come on Jack, Janet will let us know when San is out of surgery" said Daniel replacing Janet's hand with his own absently pulling him away from the infirmary.
"You are no use to Major Carter if you stand here all day, O'Neill" stated the jaffa. The statement seemed to wake Jack out of his trance and he turned to look at his two remaining teammates.
"You're right let's go see Hammond and find the bastards who did this" he said as he took one last look at the doors to the infirmary and then slowly made his way to where General Hammond resided. "Please God let her live" he silently pleaded to himself as he entered the elevator.
General George Hammond looked around the briefing table at his best team and his heart broke. It was obvious how close SG-1 was but he could tell that the three sitting with him would be devastated if the woman in the infirmary didn't make it. He was also sure that Jack O'Neill would fall over the edge of despair if his 2IC died. He knew about the confessions they had both made during the Za'tarc testing and you didn't make general if you weren't observant of those under your command. Taking one last look at the downcast faces around the table he knew this would be a hard debriefing.
"What happened?" he asked looking toward his 2IC
Taking a deep breath in order to control his emotions, Jack tried to explain the events to the general while he pictured the horrific incident as it happened in his head. "We were at the park, sitting at a café. Carter and I were walking towards Daniel and Teal'c, who were across the street, when a shot rang out. I didn't see from where, all I know is it was from behind us." He took another deep breath as the events that took place next replayed like a bad b-movie in his mind. "I ducked and tried to determine where the shot had come from but when I noticed that Carter was still standing I yelled to her to get down, that's when I noticed that she was hit. I managed to catch her right before she hit the ground."
Hammond could see the pained look on Jack's face as he recounted the event and decided to leave his explanation at that. "Where were you and Teal'c when this happened?" he asked looking at Daniel.
"We were across the street in the park. I was showing Teal'c how to throw a Frisbee. I didn't see what happened, we only heard the shot and by the time we made it to where Jack and Sam were she was already on the ground."
"I to saw nothing General Hammond" replied Teal'c looking his usual unemotional self.
"Ok. I've ordered the area to be combed but as you know we have no jurisdiction outside this mountain. So far the local law enforcement hasn't found anything. All we know, from witnesses is that the shot originated from a building roof somewhere behind your location."
"No one saw anything?" asked Daniel
"If they did, they are not coming forward but you have to realize that these people were probably scared out of their minds and were too confused to notice anything."
"Whoever it was they were smart." Stated Jack
"What do mean by that, Jack?"
"They shot into a crowded public area knowing that people would be too frightened and confused to look where the shot came from." He replied still looking at his hands on the table.
"If that is the case then it is reasonable that one of us was the intended target, for only shot was fired." Stated Teal'c
"You think it was the N.I.D?" said Daniel but it was more of a statement than a question.
"It is possible" replied the Jaffa.
"No, this isn't the N.I.D's style. They wouldn't shoot into a crowd to get at one of us. They would be more covert" stated Jack
"Well then who?" asked Daniel as if pleading to his friend for an answer but Jack didn't have time to answer as Hammond jumped in.
"Whoever it was it is safe to assume they are from earth and that they wanted to make a statement by shooting at you in public area."
"They weren't shooting at all of us" Jack started getting the attention from everyone at the table. "If they were they could have easily taken me out as I rose to help Carter or Daniel or Teal'c as they made their way across the street."
"So you think Sam was the target?" Jack simply nodded his head in reply. Daniel was about to ask another question when the General's phone in his office rang.
"Excuse me" said the General rising. The team simply watched his conversation the entity on the other side of the phone. When he hung up and returned to the table they held their breath in hope that he had good news.
"That was Major Davis at the Pentagon. His people found the shooter" the three faces looking back at him rose in anticipation. "He's dead. They found his body 2 miles from the scene he was shot in the back of the dead." The faces fell.
"Well what do we do now?" asked Daniel
"I'm afraid our hands are tied" replied the General. "I'll make few calls but again we have no jurisdiction outside this mountain. Dismissed"
After being dismissed Jack immediately made his way to the infirmary. With Daniel and Teal'c on his heals he kept running the scenario over and over in his head. "Were they aiming at Carter or at him?" Not trying to sound self centered, it's just that he had way more enemies than Carter did and it would seem more likely for someone to take a shot at him and not her. That brought up another question "did they shoot Carter to get back at him?" Posing this question to himself only made Jack more determined to find whoever was responsible. It also made him feel guilty. If the second scenario was the case then it was his fault that the woman he loves was in danger of losing her life and he would never forgive himself if she died. He didn't realize were he was until he heard an SF stop him.
"I'm sorry sir. Doctor Fraiser left instructions not to let anyone into infirmary"
"Has there been any word?" Daniel asked the young solider
"No. I'm sorry." The SF replied hoping not to bring the wrath of Colonel O'Neill down on him. Everyone on base knew that the Colonel and Major were close and there were even betting pools as to when the two would get to together but no one wanting to be on the receiving end of the Colonel when something happened to Major Carter.
The three men took positions against opposite walls waiting for news on their friend. After about an hour and a half Jack moved from his position against the wall, took one last look at the infirmary doors turned and made his way back toward the elevators. This didn't go unnoticed by Daniel or Teal'c.
"Jack where are you going?" asked a confused Daniel who was sure that his friend would camp outside the infirmary and not even an impending invasion from the Goa'uld could make him move and now he was leaving.
"I am going to find the bastard who is responsible for this." He replied and then turned and continued walking towards the elevators. Just then Janet emerged from the infirmary
"Janet." That one simple word made Jack stop in his tracks and turn making eye contact with the petite doctor he didn't say anything. His eyes willed her not to tell him any bad news.
"Don't look at me like that Colonel. She is alive but barely."
"What happened" asked Daniel breaking the silence that followed her statement
Breaking eye contact with the Colonel, Janet took a deep breath and looked at Daniel. "She lost a lot of blood, the bullet was lodged near her spine and we had to remove her spleen. She slipped into a coma soon after that and I can't say for certain if there will be any permanent damage to her spine or brain."
"Why?" asked Daniel not sure he wanted to know the answer. Jack still hadn't moved from his position fearing that if he did his legs would give out
"There is a lot of swelling around her spine because of trauma and her heart stopped for several minutes causing her brain to be deprived of oxygen. I won't know more until I run a CAT scan."
"But she is going to make it right?"
"I don't know Daniel. The next 24 hours are critical." She replied breaking eye contact with and reestablishing it with Jack. "Sam's a fighter and if she makes it through the next 24 hours then her odds are even better."
"Can we see her." Said Jack finally breaking his silence and walking back towards the group
"Yes but only for a little while. As I said she is critical." With that said Jack walked past Janet and the others into the infirmary. What he saw made his heart break.
Sam was lying prone on the bed with more machines surrounding her that Jack wasn't sure where they ended and Sam began. As he slowly approached she took note that the sheets had more color than she did. Given that Sam was a fair skinned person but at this moment she almost looked transparent. Sitting down in the chair next to her he took her hand in his told her to be strong and that he would get the sons of bitches to did this to her.
"Major Carter is strong O'Neill I have every confidence that she will beat this" said Teal'c taking a position at the edge of the bed. Jack wasn't even aware that anyone had followed him in until he heard Teal'c speak. "We will find those responsible for this O'Neill."
"Bet your ass we will Teal'c and when we do I am gonna make sure they never forget what they did." He replied giving Sam's hand one more squeeze before rising and turning and facing his teammates. Without saying another word he left the infirmary. Teal'c went to follow but Daniel stopped him
"Let him go Teal'c he needs to be alone right now."
'If he intends to find those responsible should we not be with him Daniel Jackson."
"What Daniel means Teal'c" started Janet " is that the Colonel needs some time to himself to sort out what happened. I am sure that if you are needed he will call you."
Teal'c simply nodded and refocused his attention on Sam.
Daniel on the other hand, had a pretty good idea why Jack wanted to be alone. He was hurting and Jack was the type of person who didn't talk about how he felt he simply bottled it up and dealt with it in his own way. Although Daniel was afraid because this time he knew that if his friend bottled this up it would destroy him. He knew Jack cared a great deal for Sam, hell he was sure he loved her, and her death might be the one thing could break his friend and send him back to the dark place he was when they first met. He also had the feeling that wherever Jack was going to get answers he would have to go alone. Daniel sat down in the chair, Jack had occupied earlier, leaned in and whispered, "Sam you have to fight I don't know what will happen if you don't."
Before leaving the mountain Jack made a quick stop at his office and now he stood across the street from the cafe next to a tree, partially hidden in the brush, and simply watched the police sweep the area. As he stood there a million questions ran through his mind, 'what if she didn't make it?' what if she did make it and she couldn't walk or had brain damage?' would she hate him if it was discovered that it was his fault she was shot?' would he be able to live with himself if it ever came to that?' Jack was broken out of his thoughts by a familiar voice.
"Hey Jack"
"I see you got my message" he replied without even turning around still staring straight ahead but not really looking at anything in particular
"For what it's worth I'm sorry what happened" this made Jack turn around
"I don't care if you're sorry Harry. What I want to know is if you have any information about what happened."
"Well it's nice to know I am still needed and before you go off on me I do have some info on who did this and I can tell you that you weren't the target." Jack looked at him with a surprised look on his face. "Come on Jack you and I both know that's what you were thinking."
Jack remained silent he simply looked at the ground because he knew that Maybourne was right.
"Making this situation your fault won't help the situation Jack."
"Oh come off it Harry, if I wanted a psychological evaluation I would've went to McKenzie not you. What information do you have?" it was obvious that to Maybourne that Jack was losing patience with him and he was a little afraid because he was well aware of how Jack felt about Major Carter that was evident the time she disappeared compliments of Adrian Conrad.
"Like I said I know is responsible for this but getting him is going to be difficult."
"Who is it?"
"Kinsey."