Title: Concerns & Secrets

Synopsis: An odd request forces Samantha Carter to trust not only her instincts, but also someone she's never met before.

Co-Author:

Pairing: Carter

Rating:

Season: SG1 10+, SGA S4+, & SAN S1 (TV Version)

Episode Spoilers:

::Greenfield Technologies::

::Carter Office::

::Washington, D.C.::

Former U.S. Air Force Colonel Samantha Carter was still tired having figured on more sleep this morning when the alarm went off but it hadn't come and she had to get her day started despite the fact her team at Greenfield Technologies where she'd been hired after leaving the Air Force after they took away her command of the Atlantis base were able to run themselves but her bosses liked to know she was in the building. At least she could focus on more research and with Cassie doing so well now in college at least the young lady didn't have to worry anymore about receiving a phone call like she'd gotten for her second mother, Janet Fraiser and the blonde's best friend several years ago.

She'd never thought she would have gotten through that but she had, Janet was always with her though in one form or another. She'd almost quit then not wanting to make Cassie risk loosing her too, they'd all thought it would be one of them before Fraiser who died, but then Colonel O'Neill had talked her out of it and Cassandra had sort of supported the decision. After Atlantis though it was the last straw, she wasn't looking to be handed a reward but to give her a command and then let her succeed against a lot of odds before 'punishing' her and taking away her command to give to that pencil pushy Richard Woolsey. The man was the best of the politicians he'd met but he was still a pencil pusher and she took it personally.

Setting down the Starbucks she'd stopped to get and the bagel and cream cheese mix she was having for breakfast the blonde woman moved some things aside to clear off a spot on her desk when she stopped and picked up a note, it was written in cursive handwriting but the message wasn't one she recognized plus it hadn't been there last night. Opening the note she scanned the words...

We owe you more than we can repay, contact us if you're still interested in helping to defend this planet and it's people. 999-568-0912

"How odd" the woman said to the empty office and picked up the phone to dial the number.

*A Few Weeks Later*

::Sanctuary::

::Lab::

::Old City, USA::

'Bigfoot' came into the lab and saw his boss and friend who he owed so much staring into a microscope and making some notes in a notebook near her and he stopped when her British/American and century plus old voice greeted him.

"I am aware of your presence, you may speak" Doctor Helen Magnus stated.

Coming closer, "I am sorry to disturb you doctor however there was a message on your service that I believe you would wish to see."

Straightening up the 157 year old woman with the black hair and the white lab coat over her dress took off her gloves once she put her pen down and held out her left hand to accept the message unfolding it and scanned the words, "Samantha Carter wishes to meet with me."

"I do not recognize the name Doctor" 'Bigfoot stated.

Folding up the note and putting it in his pocket, "Nor do I, however she does say it is urgent. She wishes to meet in DC at her office" seeing him nod. "I cannot leave at this time, there are patients that I must meet with...send Will out to meet with her for me."

The big man nodded his head, "I will tell him right away," he told the woman. "Odd that strangers want to see you," he commented and he turned toward the door; more of an observation then a comment

"Quite" the woman commented leaning forward again to look at the microscope, normally only those in the abnormal community knew of her since she carefully guarded her contact and approached only those that she absolutely needed to...the safety of her patients, indeed herself and her daughter as well as their friends depended on that fact.

*Several Hours Later*

::Greenfield Technologies::

::Conference Room::

::Washington, D.C.::

Gathering up her materials after the video conference she and some of the business folks from the technologies Samantha Carter was lost in thought, that message and the proceeding phone call had her stumped but even more than that was the limited information she'd been able to find on this Sanctuary or what they did...it had to be something pretty big for the Trust to risk approaching her, she knew how they felt about them, even if she wasn't Air Force anymore.

"Sam" one of her bosses greeted coming over and held out his hand, his grin wide. "You did a great job, sold that whole idea and netted us several million dollars in new contracts. Somehow you just make technology sound interesting."

~Reminds me of Jack O'Neill~ she thought shaking his hand, "Technology is interesting to everyone but you Randy," she joked.

Just then one of the assistants came in and smiled, "Mr. Porter, Miss Carter I'm sorry to bother you but there is a young man waiting for you in your office ma'am...a Doctor Zimmerman."

~Zimmerman, Zimmerman...I don't know any Zimmerman's~ the woman thought but nodded, "Thank you Nancy."

::Carter Office::

While he waited Will was busy reading her diplomas and awards, there was even a framed box that held a few pictures and mementos of her Air Force days that Cassie had made for her since so much of it was private and not shared with strangers. ~Very interesting woman I wonder what she has to do with us, ~ Will was thinking to himself?

Pushing open the glass doors to her office/lab Samantha Carter saw the man looking at the pictures and such along her one wall behind and beside her desk but his back was to her and she cleared her throat, "Doctor Zimmerman."

The young man spun and opened his mouth to say yes then stopped, he'd seen the smaller pictures on the wall but it wasn't until at that very moment he saw her...minus the dark hair she looked just like his boss.

"I'm Samantha Carter, I apologize for keeping you waiting" heading toward her desk then held out her hand.

Totally taken off guard and rather stunned by the resemblance, "Um uh yes" the man managed to stumble out till he saw her hand. Taking her hand Will shook it and pulled himself together, "I am sorry Miss Carter but you look remarkably like a friend of mine only she has long dark hair. I was just reading and looking, I hope you don't mind?"

She smiled, "Of course I don't, I hope she's a nice friend" releasing his hand and gestured to the chairs in front of her desk or the sofa over in the sitting area if he liked. "Can I get you something to drink?"

"Coffee if it's not too much trouble."

"Of course not" heading toward the area that held those items. "I apologize that I don't know who you are, I'm not familiar with a Doctor Zimmerman that I recall. How can I help you today?"

Taking a seat in the chair, "I did not expect you to know me Doctor Carter but it's you who sent for me." Seeing the confused look on her face, "I am here to represent Doctor Magnus, you sent her message recently."

Quickly Samantha looked up as she picked up the two mugs of coffee, "The Sanctuary."

Accepting his the man nodded, "Yes that's right. Thank you."

Setting her cup down in front of the chair beside him she went over to the doors and closed them then locked them and punched a code into the alarm panel instantly clouding the glass to keep anyone from seeing in and a soft buzzing was heard. She could see the man's nervousness and she nodded, "You're safe I assure you, just no chance of anyone to overhear or read lips this way. I have no idea what this Sanctuary is" going over to a palm scanner on a section of her desk and pressed her hand down onto it, "But all I do know is that I received a message from an organization that I call the Trust, they want to hire me to fry your security and defenses Doctor" taking out a file when a section of the desk opened. "There's a copy of the note I received from them and this" indicating a tape recorder, "Is a recording of the phone call plus the briefest outline they sent me of the security issues you have at this place, they want in there bad to come to me."

Immediately Will was concerned, "You said the Trust," he was unfamiliar with that name as he read the note, but from what he understood this was something the cabal would do. "I guess the two questions I have are could you do it and why are you telling us about it?"

Taking a seat Sam turned to him, "I'm not looking to blackmail you Doctor if you're worried and I have no intention of doing anything for the Trust even if I can do it, my history with them believe me is not very friendly" seeing a look of relief wash over his face. "I can't know for certain" after a sip from her mug, "If I could do it until I got a look at the specifics they said they would get me within a week if I was interested, I'm supposed to let them know" seeing him nod. "Not to toot my own horn but I'm this planet's foremost computer and technology expert, it's why they came to me most likely despite our history. If I tell them no they'll go to the second best and it may take them longer but if there's a way to do it then chances are they will find someone to do it" seeing that look again. "What is this Sanctuary and what do you do that makes the Trust so anxious to get at you folks? Who is this Doctor Magnus, I could barely find out anything about her?"

~Oh boy~ holding up his hand for one second and took out his cell phone dialing a number, "Give me Magnus."

*Less Than Four Hours Later*

::Sanctuary::

::Hallway/Stairs/Elevator::

::Old City::

Standing in the elevator with his boss and Ashley Magnus who were on their way to greet their guest and William Zimmerman who was coming back with her Henry Foss shook his head, "Oh crap" when he heard the name.

"What" Ashley demanded looking at the man?

"Well our systems are sophisticated, you know that but if the cabal gets someone with Carter's qualifications in their clutches we're in for all kinds of trouble."

Helen looked at the man, "You are familiar with her?"

"In a way yeah." Looking at his boss, "I've never met her Doc but a friend sent me some of her papers and such from years ago when she was in school and a copy of her doctorate paper. I knew then she was going to be formidable so I have tried to keep track of her as much as possible. She might be the only person on the planet better then me," he hated to admit.

The younger girl scoffed, "No one is better than you dude."

Foss blushed slightly at that comment as they started out toward Helen's study on this level, "Samantha Carter has been involved in one form or another with not only a lot of computer and security upgrades over the last two decades at least but I referenced some of her early designs when setting up our systems. She's got all kinds of degrees and what's more" looking down to type at his pad, "She's US Air Force."

"Former" Helen Magnus stated, "She left the service a few months ago my information has led me to believe."

::H. Magnus Study::

Ashley shook her head, "So we just convince her she can't help them, what's the big deal? What's she even telling us for, wants money or what?"

It was Henry who shook his head, "Not the Samantha Carter I have read about, money is way down on her list or she would not have joined the military."

Taking a seat behind her desk, "We at this time do not know her intentions but the facts are that she came to us to warn us of a possible threat that could put our entire facility under attack. I want all precautions taken, she and Will should be returning within the hour. I'd like you both at the meeting."

Foss was thrilled, "Sure I would love to meet her," he said happily. "You want to see something else that is going to freak you out," he asked tapping at his laptop that he always kept with him?

"I just don't get it. Wouldn't the cabal have warned her not to come to us? Does she not have anything they can hold over her," Ashley asked, the girt was always suspicious first until she was comfortable?

Sitting down the mother nodded, "Will told me that she does have a daughter but she's with someone that the woman trusts and she doesn't call this organization the cabal."

"We got someone else pissed at us," the Sanctuary geek asked as he came forward?

Ashley rolled her eyes, "When don't we? So who is it this time?"

Magnus shook her head, "She called them The Trust, and I'm searching now to see if they are part of the same organization. What is it Henry?"

Turning his computer for his boss to see. "This is picture of Samantha Carter taken at a recent event. Remind you of anyone," he questioned?

"Oh my God" the younger girl stated from the side.

It took a lot to unnerve Helen Magnus but seeing one's twin was definitely right up with the event, "Uncanny."

"Mom it's you...with just...well lighter hair. How is that possible?"

Henry shook his head, "Maybe she's your long lost sister Doc."

The woman gave him 'that' look, "Very unlikely Henry, we likely have a few relatives in common."

::Enroute To Sanctuary::

Sitting in the passenger seat as Will Zimmerman was driving them through Old City on the West Coast Samantha Carter had her cell phone to her ear and smiled to the words, "Cassie this hunting trip is something you and the General do every year, I assure you I'll be fine for a week honey. I'm just visiting a colleague on the West Coast."

Cassandra Fraiser and Jack O'Neill shared a love of hunting though over the years Janet had tried to discourage it but she'd been unsuccessful, finally she'd just given up figuring it was just the then Colonel's influence on her. As a surprise the older man had arranged for them to take a hunting trip this week while she was off up to Canada to hunt caribou.

Cassie smiled but she was still concerned, "Are you sure Sam? I know I am off and I don't want you to feel slighted, but this is such a rare chance," the girl explained to her.

"I'm sure honey" reminding herself each time she used such terms how much Janet's job was hers now, she wasn't the girl's mother though...that was her best friend even if she wasn't there to do it. "But the next vacation you and me, plan on it all right?"

"I will Sam and thanks. Listen make sure you keep phone on incase one of us gets hurt, well not me but you know," she teased a bit. Jack seemed to be more accident-prone since they lost Janet.

The blonde smiled, "Always Cassie. Let me talk to the General a second would you?"

Taking the phone from Cassie and telling her to get a move on with her packing Jack turned his attention to the call, "Hey Carter listen don't worry about kiddo, we are going to be just fine."

She nodded, "I have no doubt of that General but let me just say for the record" trying to channel her best friend so he'd be careful. "I may not be a medical doctor but I am a medic and a scientist, you get one hangnail up there and I'm going to jab something big and sharp somewhere interesting when you get home Sir. Clear?"

That comment even made Will look at her and wince, it sounded painful.

"Hey now you do not get to jab the General. Geeze Carter we are going to be fine," the man told her. "If you're that worried come on along," he challenged.

Smiling the woman nodded offering Zimmerman a wink so he'd know she was joking, "I do not hunt things for fun that are ten times at least larger than me General, I prefer my fun at a spa."

"Yeah, yeah...right. Ok, we'll be careful and no hangnails I promise."

"Good, call when you land and let me know you made it safe."

Shaking his head, ~ She is worse then my mother ever was~ he thought. "Yes dear" he answered. "Have to go Carter bye," and hung up before she could respond figuring that would get her goat.

With a shake of her head the blonde hung up the phone, "I have got to remember to hurt him when I see him" putting the item back in her pocket.

Finding that an odd statement Will glanced at her, "Do you often threaten harm to friends Doctor Carter," he questioned.

"I wasn't serious" the woman insisted, "And it's Sam."

::Sanctuary::

::Hallway/Stairs/Elevator::

Samantha Carter moved slowly down the carpeted hall with her guide but she was turning her head to look at everything, this place was huge as she'd seen when they pulled up and she was just...honestly she didn't have any idea what question to ask first. This place was just unbelievable, that's all there was too it.

::H. Magnus Study::

Indicating the blonde to enter first Doctor William Zimmerman saw the two women turn to face them as they stopped and Henry straightening up from the fire he was poking since it was dark outside, "Doctor Samantha Carter this is Henry Foss."

"Hi" raising his hand and waved to her, the poker forgotten in his other...she was even more beautiful.

Giving him a nod, "Hi."

"Ashley" the young girl stated when her eyes moved to her, standing with her arms waiting patiently and armed not sure about this woman yet.

~Charming~ she thought to herself, "And you" turning her eyes to the woman who was like looking in a mirror though she was slightly thinner, a little taller, had black hair and a slightly darker skin tone who held herself even standing there with an air of authority and sexuality that she had to admit was impressive, "Must be Doctor Magnus, it's nice to meet you" coming forward and held out her hand showing no disturbance or question at their uncanny looks, she'd seen doubles of her before so was used to it though was hoping this one wasn't a human form replicator. "You have a beautiful home I must say."

Helen graciously shook her hand, "Welcome Doctor Carter, won't you have a seat please," indicating a near by chair? "Most people would say it's unusual but I thank you," she commented waiting for Sam to sit before she took her own seat.

Henry came over and took a seat next to Ashley, "I have to say I am not surprised they went after one of the best," he commented.

Watching Zimmerman go to lean sit in a chair he turned around Samantha sat down and nodded in the other chair facing the group, "I appreciate the compliment Mr. Foss."

"Henry" and smiled as Ashley elbowed him. "Ow...hey..."

Helen gave them a stern look turning her attention back to the blonde woman who was like a mirror likeness, "So I believe you explained to our colleague we could have a potential problem Doctor Carter."

She nodded, "Yes and it's Sam, Doctor Carter..." she shook her head. "I don't use that unless I'm in the classroom and have little choice. I'm assuming he outlined to you all what I told him back in DC at my office."

"He did" the older woman stated calmly.

Her daughter spoke at that point, "What I don't get is why you came to us. What do you want? You know they have to be watching you."

Carter nodded, "Yes they are, in fact they probably watched me ride right through your gates," she explained seeing the surprise. "This is not the first time I dealt with the Trust Ashley" since it's the only name that she gave her. "They want to hire me to take down your security systems, which in all honesty I could probably do no offense to you Henry" seeing him nod. "They'll figure I'll try to figure out why they want me to do that and at best get a first hand look at your security set up as I was shown through this place and have an idea if I can even do it."

"And at worst" Will asked?

"They'll figure I'll warn you, which is what I have precisely done however they won't know that I know they suspect I'll do that."

Zimmerman shook his head, "Cloak and dagger gives me a headache."

Keeping her eyes fixed on the blonde, "And if they should discover you have warned us?"

"Then I go back and tell them I warned you which means you'll be feeling confident and that you got me to set them up which in turn lets them set you up" she explained easily. "As I told Will however I have no intention of doing their bidding, I suspect they know that but it doesn't mean they won't find someone else who will...it may take them longer than it takes me but eventually they would get it done."

All of this was far more then Helen wanted to deal with, that was why she had Henry in the position he was in. She could see that Will was on the edge of his seat clearly concerned, as was she.

Ashley looked at Henry and then at Sam, "So if you don't want anything are you here to help us so they don't stand a chance of messing with it," wanting to cut right to the chase?

~That girl definitely has to somehow be related to the General, impatient~ the blonde thought turning her eyes to Magnus a moment, "May I ask what kind of doctor you are Doctor Magnus?"

"Hey I..." her daughter began.

Carter held up her hand, "One second please" not moving her blue eyes from the older woman though to her she looked to be her age, she just carried and exuded that air of age and wisdom just sitting there.

Helen gave her daughter a nod to be patient. "I am a researcher primarily though the specific discipline depends upon the patient of course, does that make a difference," the older woman asked her?

"She's also a medical doctor" Will supplied then, "Among other things."

Sam smiled her thanks to him, "I suspected researcher, you have that air about you" she stated and looked to Ashley. "I can't know what I can do to make that happen if I don't know what you have by way of systems now and whereas Henry could show me I'm sure with Doctor Magnus's permission of course..."

"Sure I could" Foss stated, anxious to work with her.

"We first need to come up with a plausible reason why I am in this place for a few days without them thinking I'm not going to help them."

Zimmerman sat back, "And how do you plan to make that happen," finding it odd she hadn't yet asked again what they did here?

Sam had that figured out, "One of you escorts me out of this facility on foot making it clear I'm not welcome to anyone within parabolic microphone distance. After I'm alone they'll likely pick me up."

Shaking her head, "They'll never just believe you," the young Ashley Magnus stated.

"I'm counting on that," the blonde stated. "After an argument or a discussion depending on how loud they get I'll suggest a plan to get me back into the facility where I will be able to work on your systems, they'll beat the crap out of me and dump me at your door. To them the action will figure that will make you believe me when I say I'm not going to work for them and I'll have access."

Foss actually gasped, "Whoa wait...they could kill you, beat the crap out of you and you're going to let them."

She nodded, "I'm going to suggest it actually, at the proper time."

"And what if they kill you" Zimmerman asked? "You're risking your life Sam."

"I'm aware of that, does one of you have a better idea or are you willing to just hope they can't eventually overcome your systems" she asked the group?

Ashley rolled her eyes and looked at her mother, "And you think that I take risks. Boy I better not ever hear that argument again," she stated, "She is just plain nuts."

Helen was a bit taken back as well, "I do think it is a risky option however I am at a loss to offer another solution."

"Sam " Will said sitting forward a bit. "What if Henry gave you a non-specific view of what we have could you tell us then if you can help? I would hate for you to go through this only to find out you can't be of help."

She nodded, "Any information he can give me will help but" and she looked at Magnus then. "I do have one idea already that could help."

"Indeed" Magnus stated.

Again nodding seeing Henry sitting forward, "What little information they gave me did say you have a massive power generation and an EM shield surrounding this facility, I won't ask why" she could ask later. "Anyway in order to know that since it's doubtful you've let anyone in here who could see your systems from what I've seen that means they're scanning for it."

"We can't prevent that" Henry stated, "Our power requirements are..."

"You can prevent it" Carter stated looking at him. "By programming a satellite to scan for continuous energy signatures aimed at these coordinates. When one is found the satellite would transmit a signal that would either scramble their signal or redirect it to another location" seeing Will and Ashley's eyes both wide. "They may gather a couple seconds of data but that would be it, nothing more to tell them only that an energy signature is here but no specifics of any type."

The younger Magnus shook her head, "How do you propose we get a satellite or get it into orbit? We got a lot of neat toys but come on we're not N.A.S.A. lady."

Grinning the blonde nodded, "Any of you know how to steal one" she asked? "Some of the work I do still deals with satellites, I can easily get my hands on one that Henry and I can reprogram and using a few connections I can convince the governments it's a standard replacement weather mapping satellite, with an encrypted signal keyed to a specific cipher that only the two of us would know to look for no one else would ever know what it's true function was."

Henry Foss had heard of some ideas but that was by far right up there with cool.

"Henry" Helen asked calmly, the question clear was it possible?

He nodded, "Oh yeah if we can get the right model and do the reprogramming...yeah theoretically boss it would do what she said."

"How do we get it in orbit" Will asked?

"I call in a favor," Carter stated.

Ashley thought only her mother had connections like that but apparently this person thought she was pretty powerful. "Must be one heck of a favor," the young girl stated.

Will looked at Magnus, "I don't think we have any choice but to accept the help however it comes. I am just concerned with her getting hurt," he told his boss honestly.

Sam turned and looked at him. "I assure you Will like Ashley here I am not a girly girl and I can take a punch or two."

"Hey" the other girl stated, "I'll have you know I can..."

"Ashley" her mother stated. "I share Will's concern for your safety," the accented voice stated.

Foss nodded immediately, "There's got to be another way what if..."

She shook her head, "I meant no disrespect Ashley but whatever you people do here is obviously important, the Trust wants in here and that means I don't want them in here. There is one thing you do need to be aware of Doctor Magnus" looking at her. "There is a protein marker in my blood left over from...an experience" not admitting anything else, these folks didn't have security classification, "Many years ago. It makes it very difficult to give me too much blood I haven't donated myself but we don't have time for that plus it makes me very impervious to many drugs, I need massive doses of a lot of things."

Zimmerman sat forward, "That's telling her she's got to treat you with one hand tied behind her back Sam, come on" he stated hating this even more.

"I know" Carter stated, "And I'd offer to let you see my medical records but I can't do that because they're classified...she'll just have to muddle through but I wanted her to be aware" unaware what Magnus's experiences or knowledge was.

Helen held her hand up to stop Wills objection, "Sam if you would give me a list of what I can know, medications you do respond to and your blood type I will see that I have what I need. If you are willing to go to this much effort on our behalf then the least I can do is assure you that I will do all I can. Henry, get her what she needs. Will, Ashley you two get prepared to show her out. Sam can I get you some tea or something to eat," the older woman told the team and asked the blonde?

Rising Foss nodded, "I'll get you a laptop Sam."

She smiled at his seemingly affection for her, "Thank you Henry" giving him a nod as the other two left and said they'd be nearby. It left her and Magnus alone; "If you've got a cup of coffee I would love that and something I can write on really fast, I'll make that list for you."

Magnus rose and majestically moved across the room to her desk, "Will insists on keeping coffee in the house now that he resides here, I will call for some" bringing a pad and a pen to her.

Accepting them she nodded, "Thank you" sensing the woman had a great many questions. "I don't want to take a lot of time, no more than a couple hours before your colleagues throw me out."

That was understandable to the older woman, "I just have one question this Trust as you call them why are you so determined to keep them out of my facility," moving to the phone this time?

Carter looked up pausing in her writing, "Is what you do vital to this planet's safety and future Doctor Magnus?"

"It is," Helen responded easily wondering if the woman would then have questions as to what it was.

The woman nodded, "Then there is your answer Doctor, the Trust never does anything for the goodness of anyone but themselves" and tipped her head back to resume writing.