Title: Bailing Out - Chosen Heart Series, Season 6
Author: HailDorothy
Spoilers: 604-Abyss, 601- Frozen, 521 – Meridian
Rated: T
Category: Romance, Angst/adventure
Pairing: J/S
Disclaimer: Never, ever will be mine. Crap!
Song: 'She'll Hear You' Ben Jelen © 2004
Summary: After surviving Baal's torture chamber Jack's goes AWOL. Desperate, Sam sacrifices everything to find him including her career.
Author's Note: WRITERS ARE INSECURE CREATURES. PLEASE POST A REVIEW? Coz it encourages this insecure author to keep writing. Thanks, HailDorothy
DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
PROLOGUE
Baal's abandoned test facility, The Fortress:
"Daniel?"
"Oma?"
"What are you doing back here?"
"Brooding. Do you mind? I mean can't an Ancient have anytime alone?"
"You have all the time in the—"
"The world, yeah I know or in our situation, I suppose the universe."
"Yes." She materialized before him. "But I don't understand why you came back here."
"Because I blew it. I let Jack down and now he's about do so something stupid."
"Why?"
"Because he's remembering what happened, Oma. It's just a matter of time before he realizes that he caved in and told Baal about the lotar's affair with Kanan."
"That's not your fault."
"Yes it is! I entered Jack's head and manipulated his memories. I'm no better than Baal!"
"You did that to protect Jack from himself."
"Did I really? I did what you told me to do, Oma, and now it's backfired."
"We know about O'Neill's strong protective nature. He'd have loathed himself if he knew he'd been broken by Baal."
"He already hates himself, Oma. He just doesn't know why and it's affecting everyone around him. I told Jack he was going to be okay, but he's sooo not. I'm afraid he's going to harm Sam. And it's all my fault."
"Daniel?"
"What?"
"Why do you continue to blame yourself for the choices that Jack O'Neill and Samantha Carter make?"
Daniel turned and looked at his mentor, then shook his head in frustration. "You really don't get it do you, Oma?"
"How the Tau'ri can unselfishly put others before themselves and then admit when they make mistakes, especially the kind that hurts the people they love?"
"Yes." Daniel was honestly surprised.
"The fact you've returned here without my prodding explains much, Daniel."
"So now what?"
"Try not to interfere."
"You have got to be kidding!" Daniel snorted only to find himself alone as he backtracked to that dark time when Jack had been a prisoner of Baal. Daniel set his Ancient jaw tight. This time, he'd do whatever he could to help his friend. After all, the future of the galaxy hung in the balance, depended on Jack and Sam's chosen hearts living to see another—hopefully, better day.
JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ
Four Months Earlier: Baal's Fortress
Crap! So this is how a fly plastered to a spider's web feels. Considering his aversion to bugs Jack's predicament seemed poetic justice. Was that a cliché? Carter would know.
"Acid or knives this round?" Baal taunted and held up the objects for Jack's selection.
"I'm on vacation. You pick. However, that last blade was a tad dullish—," The knife sped through the air and hit its mark, Jack's left shoulder. The blade ripped through flesh, sinew--Jack felt bone splinter! If not for the hilt the knife would have plunged clear through.
"Argh!" Jack stifled the scream of pain that begged release. He'd not give Baal that satisfaction.
The Goa'uld snickered; extending a hand device the knife extracted from Jack and flew back to Baal. Brandishing the blood drenched knife Baal paced and frowned. If Jack didn't know better the alien was pissed—again. Hello!
"I fail to understand you, Tau'ri."
"That's refreshing." Jack felt warm blood streaming from his wound.
Baal glared. "I killed and revived you over a dozen times before you remembered the name of the Tok'ra you hosted. Then nothing. Now, I give you the desire of your heart, turned your pain into blissful pleasure and still you won't tell me what I want!"
"Coz, I don't know!" Jack spewed spittle at the man and shut his eyes. He tried not to think that he was buck naked in front of this evil creature that had resorted to using the blood of Sokar and an innocent woman to torture him. Smelling sex and knowing it wasn't Sam, he entreated, God end this, please!
"My lotar does not please you?"
"No!" he hissed back. "And I can't tell you what I don't know. So just kill me again, wilya?"
"You'd rather I use the knives and acid?" Ba'al strode closer.
"Now there's a novel idea, Bocce Ball."
"But that has proven less efficient and entertaining. Like you, my lotar refuses to share what I demand to know. However, she is close to breaking. Perhaps a few more times of ecstasy in the arms of her lover Kanan will jar her memory or yours."
"Go to hell!"
"In due course." Baal aimed another doohickey at Jack's mouth, causing his tight set jaw to open with ease. While a guard pinched Jack's nostrils shut, Baal poured a steady stream of the crimson fluid down his throat. Jack gagged and coughed, trying to spit the liquid, but failed.
Baal laughed and ordered a guard, "Bring her. Meanwhile," he put his hand device to Jack's forehead, "We shall warm you up so to speak. You are with the woman you desire. Take her, O'Neill, take her as a man takes a woman for base pleasure, over and over again."
"No!" Basic instincts seized hold, controlling Jack. Tears flowed down his face as his last coherent thought fled. Forgive me, Sam?
CHAPTER ONE
I'm dreaming a world with you,
I wish the night was longer
I'm chasing the way we were,
I wish that I could catch us
I'm feeling your hand in mine,
I wish I'd held it closer
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Present Time: SGC
"It's my sidearm, really. No giggling."
Sam sighed in her daydream recalling the first time Jack O'Neill had murmured those words to her. And despite that he had been critically injured and they'd been freezing to death, it had not been his sidearm her hand had accidentally engaged that icy cold day, or similar times afterward. To know that their love and desire was once so intense, even dying could not subdue it, seemed but a dream now.
She recalled when after they'd rescued him from Baal's fortress, how in the infirmary, weak and suffering from sarcophagi withdrawal symptoms, he'd thanked her and squeezed her hand. She wanted to leave him rest and had done just that. Since then they'd barely touched or shared any alone time. His choice. Sam needed to stop thinking about what had been and that Jack had shut her out of his life months ago, and there was no sign he wanted her back.
Stretching, she ruffled her hair and then selected the folders needed for her class. Still, her mind wandered. Sam wondered if there was an annulment or divorce clause in the Jaffa marriage license they'd signed two years ago. Not that she wanted either mind you, but considering Jack's apparent desire to never fulfill their vows after one of them left the Air Force—
"Carter?" he drawled in that tone that gave her goose bumps.
Sam looked up to find her CO decked in offworld gear occupying her lab's doorway. Turning her back she shoved her emotions deep down where he couldn't see them.
"Ready for your mission with Jonas to PX1 076, sir?" She rose from her stool, folders in hand and talked business as usual.
"Oh, yeah, it'll be like a trip to Disney World. Can't wait for the Jungle ride." He rolled his brown eyes as he swaggered toward her, hands in his front BDU pockets. Man, he looked hot!
"Sir. This means a lot to Jonas. First off, that planet is beautiful and secondly, it'll give you two an opportunity to bond."
Jack planted his tanned hands on her desk, leaned over and said in his gruffest tone, "I don't bond, Carter, especially with guys let alone, Jonas Quinn."
"I know. But this was your idea, sir." She reminded with a grin, while her gaze settled on his hand and wrist hairs that she longed to caress, knowing how soft they were.
"That's because I'm bored bonkers with Teal'c visiting Rya'c and you stuck in Science 101 Class."
"I'm not stuck. I like instructing the new SGC officers in basic astrophysics and how it applies to the Stargate."
"Hey, I could share some of my own genius on the topic." He raised his left brow.
"No offense, sir, but I don't want to further confuse them."
"I'm crushed."
"No you're not. Besides, there's always that stack of paperwork on your desk." She winked.
"You are so enjoying this aren't you?" He ducked his head level with hers, his breath warming her cheek.
"Yep." She smiled catching the roguish brown twinkle she'd rarely seen since his capture and torture by Baal. Man, she'd missed him. "But remember, it's just for the day, sir. Tonight we go bowling."
"Ah. Yes, our clandestine bowling date." He enthusiastically scrubbed his palms.
"A three person date, sir. We're teaching Jonas how to bowl."
The lights went out in the O'Neill house. "Yeah, right. Just whose dumb idea was that?"
She tilted her head and frowned.
"Do'h, another inspiring Hallmark moment by O'Neill. Next time I open my big yawper, Carter, make sure I've got both feet nailed to the floor."
"Will do." She smirked and held his chocolate gaze. Jack's eyes lightened briefly. His left dimple tucked deep and she thought to see 'him,' again, and then his smile washed out, the gleam shutdown. Sam's heart sunk.
"Well," he tapped his watch. "Guess, I'm off to see the wizard with Jonas." He turned to leave then glanced back. "Going my way?" His brows waggled.
"Sure." With just twenty minutes to get to the lecture room and setup, Sam switched off her PC, grabbed her folders and strolled out with him. One hand stuffed in his front pocket, Jack's left arm swung by his side. The corridor was empty. Jack walked closer than what had become habit these past few months. His choice. As they accelerated their pace, his free hand braced the small of her back when they took a corner. Sam's breath hitched. This was good right? He'd not intentionally touched her since his recovery at the cabin. Sam gulped, then pushed those turbulent joyful days aside.
"Sir?" She stopped by the elevator and swept her card. Jack's hand dropped away only to capture her free hand. Sam felt the blood rush to her cheeks. What the—Why now? She clutched the folders and looked up cautiously, expecting his eyes to glow.
"What?" He looked at her, looping her hand tighter with his long calloused fingers. The colonel had the strangest expression on his lean tan face. A look she'd seen before. So bittersweet, so—Oy! She tried to place the specific memory, one she shouldn't have lost sight of, but had.
"Is there something you want to say, sir?" She gazed to where their hands intertwined, hoping no one would come sailing around the corner or off the elevator. Thankfully this particular security camera was on the fritz. No doubt why her CO would be so bold.
'Oh,' Jack mouthed. He struggled. "Um, no. Just wanted to do that. Okay?"
"I'm glad." She blushed and squeezed back. Holy Hannah! Was he back?
"Me too." He winced.
When Jack met her intrepid gaze blissful memories sluiced over Sam. She tried not to think of their marriage on Chulak, and the vows taken between lovers. God help her, she wanted her husband back. Dare she hope?
"Is everything all right, sir?"
"Could be." He offered a succinct smile. "I—" He traced a blunt fingertip along her chin.
"Jack?" she sighed fighting the urge to kiss him, to break the regs in a main corridor of the SGC.
As if sensing her intent he lowered his hand but not before tracking her neck to his favorite place behind her left ear and gently caressing her there. Sam leaned into his touch. The moment she attempted to search his face, his CO mask dropped into place, blocking her out. The elevator door opened and she glanced at the empty car.
"High ho, high ho, off to work we go, Major." Jack shooed her onboard, his hand directing traffic.
"Yes, sir." She stepped backward into the car and pressed the hold button, still engaging his deep mocha gaze.
Jack gave a sloppy salute. "Catch ya later, Samantha." He turned to walk off.
Sam was stunned stupid. He hadn't called her, Samantha, since—She reached for the brass ring. "Sir, are we still okay?"
His tall rigid outline to her, Jack halted, but didn't look back. "Yeah sure ya betcha . . .always, Dorothy." He gave a single wave then strolled out of sight.
Her heart kicking into overdrive Sam leaned against the car's wall and blindly stared at the blinking light asking which floor. She hit the release button and then glanced at her stack of colored folders. Reality crashed her daydream. Dang, she forgot the red one on the Principles of the Naquadah Reactor. Two minutes later, she took the corner to her lab and scanned her workstation spotting the red folder among a few others folders by her pc. Reaching over the stack her elbow sent them toppling to the floor.
"Man!" She glanced at her watch. Dropping to her knees she gathered up the strewn pile and plopped them on the workstation. A sealed envelope slipped out from between folders. It was addressed, 'Carter.'
Recognizing Jack's scribble she tore it open. The colonel's dog tags tumbled into her hands along with a single handwritten letter.
My beloved someone,
How's that for a salutation? Sort of Shakespearian, huh?
So, I figure if you got this I didn't make it back to Oz. Sorry, I failed you. But I needed to bury the hatchet, seal the coffin, even the score—yada, yada.
Anyway, if I didn't try this I wouldn't be good to anyone, especially you. When that scum ball--Baal repeatedly killed and resurrected me, he killed my humanity and ability to love, especially you. Daniel warned me that would happen. And I regret I've not been there for you since then. But let's be honest, even when I'm the man you love, I'm not the man you deserve.
You deserve to be happy, Samantha, always have. So, goodnight, my someone, goodnight.
Always,
Jack
"No!" Sam dropped her folders and raced for the elevator.
JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ
General Hammond's Office:
"Request permission to join Colonel O'Neill and Jonas at PX1 076, sir?" Sam said breathlessly.
"I thought you had a class at 0930, Major?"
"I've rescheduled it, sir." She tried to act nonchalant.
"A little paranoid about the colonel spending the day alone with Jonas, are we?" Hammond chuckled.
"Something like that, sir. The colonel was more testy than usual. And I am the one who requested the soil samples be collected."
"Request granted. See you at 1500 hours. You're dismissed."
"Thank you, General." She saluted and hightailed it for the gate room.
Five minutes later, stepping out of the event horizon Sam looked around the meadow. "Colonel? Jonas?"
"Sam!" Jonas was standing by the DHD and FRED. "I was just about to phone home." He looked flustered.
"Where is he?"
"Don't know. I thought," he pointed at the gate. "You were the Colonel coming back. We'd just arrived and he told me to collect samples over there and he'd take point." He waved toward a thicket of trees a good fifty yards off. "So I did. Next I heard the gate dial up. By the time I got here, he was gone."
Sam nodded and began entering coordinates on the DHD.
"Where is he, Major? Like is this one of his practical jokes?" The younger man came alongside her.
Sam turned, seeing his concern and confusion. "No, Jonas, the Colonel's not playing games. He's got a serious problem that he thinks only he can resolve and it has nothing to do with you."
"You telling me, Colonel O'Neill's gone AWOL?"
Wincing, Sam's mouth opened then snapped shut. "I'm telling you the same thing I would have told General Hammond. Trust me, I'll bring him back."
"What do you mean would have? Does the General know?" Jonas scratched his jaw.
Sam shook her head no. Chevron seven locked.
"Oh boy!"
The puddle flushed. "Look, Jonas, you need to get back to base. I'll radio if I need help."
"Hey, I'm coming with you." He grabbed his pack off the ground.
"That's an order, Jonas."
"But you'll need help. If Daniel were here, he'd be going with you."
Sam flinched. Jonas was right, but he wasn't Daniel and in all honesty, the fewer involved in this charade the better. "I'm sorry, Jonas, I can't take the chance. You need to report to General Hammond and ask that Teal'c be informed."
"So you're going behind the General's back to find the Colonel?"
"I'd rather think of it as, pulling an O'Neill chain of command decision. I'm your CO, Jonas, do what I say."
"Okay, but Hammond's going to be Texas mad."
"It's not your fault," she reassured him, running up the platform to the gate.
"So where you going?"
"Oz!" she called backed.
"Where in the world is Oz?"
"Here." Sam touched her heart and then stepped through the event horizon.