"Welcome back." Cassie faced Charlie as he exited the event horizon into the gate room under Cheyenne Mountain.
Charlie grinned at the beautiful woman with the contagious smile. Her clear eyes crinkled as delight radiated from her face.
"It shouldn't, but it feels like I'm coming home." Charlie looked through the glass beyond to where General O'Neill conversed intently with an attractive blonde woman. Charlie's memories rushed back. "Is that Dr. Carter?"
"Colonel Carter?" Cassie swung around and saw Jack and Sam standing close as they spoke without moving their lips. She remembered Sam talking about how General O'Neill had taught her to speak without allowing lip readers to glean intelligence from across the room when she needed to discuss critical information in a public zone. That was sooo Jack to be careful in the middle of the SGC.
The SGC was about the most securely checked facility in the world. If there were any place he should relax and feel unguarded, it was here. Cassie laughed at her Godfather's paranoia.
"What's so funny?" Charlie leaned down close to her ear. She felt his warm breath tickle her skin. Her long blonde hair was secured off her neck in a French braid leaving an expanse of sensitive flesh near where his lips whispered.
His aftershave or cologne wafted over her. She leaned back a smidge without thinking as his scent filled her olfactory senses. Her pack connected with him when she leaned back. He worked out; she could tell because he didn't budge as her backward motion stopped abruptly when she ran into his chest.
"Excuse me." She jumped forward, embarrassed that her reaction caused her to step out of form and act girlish instead of as an officer in the United States Air Force. She strode forward, letting her long legs move quickly down the ramp. She turned in her P-90 to the weapons tech and turned to Charlie.
"We need to have you check with Medical again. It's protocol. No one comes through the gate without it. When your mom was able to access the command without them knowing it, we added the protocol.
"Blame it on my mother, huh?" Charlie chuckled. Cassie looked at her feet trying not to meet his eyes. She couldn't afford to be out of control or be seen to be out of control. Bracing herself by gritting her teeth, she ignored the husky timbre of his voice that reverberated through her body every time he spoke. It seemed to shimmer over her nerve pathways making her body feel tingly in places she didn't want to think about now.
"Yeah." She looked back up with a shrug, hoping to appear nonchalant. "Follow me." She wove in and around other members of SG-5.
At Medical, she waited outside the curtain around the examination bed, but there was a slip of an opening. She could and hear what the doctor was saying.
"Cassie tells me that you were here once before." The doc looked in Charlie's eyes, ears and throat. "Please remove your shirt."
Cassie gulped audibly and shuddered. She dropped her pack to the floor. It suddenly seemed too hot on her back. The privacy curtain was swept back. Charlie was on his feet and his face showed concern.
"Are you okay? I heard a crash." He was unbuttoning his shirt and slipping out of the arms as he looked intensely at her face.
"Just…just…my…uh…my back pack." Cassie watched his shirt drop to the bed and then remembered to inhale. Drawing a ragged breath, she found her voice. "I dropped it."
Dr. Johansen glanced between Cassie and Charlie. He smiled and proceeded to check Charlie's lungs and heart, touching the stethoscope to his back and his chest. Cassie watched the doc's hands move slowly and didn't say a word.
Charlie watched Cassie while she concentrated on the doctor. Suddenly, Cassie's eyes were drawn upward and met the humorous grin on Charlie's face. He'd caught her staring. Warmth rushed up her cheeks and raced to her hairline.
Doc Johansen broke the silence, "Charlie, did Cassie tell you that her mother was the one who treated you the last time you were here?"
Charlie looked at Cassie quizzically and she nodded her head in affirmation.
"Your mom was very good to me. Where is she now?"
Cassie's eyes grew moist and a lump formed in her throat. For some reason, she felt uncharacteristically emotional in front of this stranger. She was used to being more objective about things.
"Several years ago," Dr. Johansen jumped in, "Dr. Fraiser was injured and died."
Charlie's brow wrinkled and concern filled his face again as he turned from the doctor and saw Cassie's reactions.
"My mom recommended Dr. Johansen; he joined the staff here after she died. They had known each other in medical school." Cassie added hastily.
"Yeah, we go back," Johansen chuckled, "way back. You can put your shirt on." He draped the stethoscope around his neck. "Charlie, everything looks fine. Welcome to the SGC." He wrote a note on the computer, sent the e-mail notice to the general and waited for confirmation.
"Cassie, are you alright?" Charlie spoke in a low voice so that the doctor wouldn't hear.
"I'm fine." She looked back at the computer screen. The confirmation e-mail alert beeped. "We can go now. I need to get you a Visitor's badge. Thanks, Doc." She smiled at the doctor as they left for admin to pick up a badge.
Once she had taken care of all the protocols, she took him to the guest quarters.
"I'll wait out here, while you settle in." Cassie handed him the key after swiping it through the key lock.
"Come on in. I don't have much." Charlie invited her.
"Uh, I don't want to be in the way."
"Not a problem."
He pushed in the door and held it open while she preceded him into the room. He was so tall that she went under his arm easily and he followed her, closing the door behind him. He dropped his gear on the desk and turned to her.
"Do you want to unpack while I check with the general and ask what he has planned?" Cassie turned towards the wall phone.
"I guess." He left the books and papers on the desk, but grabbed his pack and unzipped it. Opening a drawer of the single dresser, he pulled out underwear and organized it in neat rows. In another drawer, he stacked the shirts he brought and the khaki pants. A small black case came out of his pack. It was placed in the attached bathroom. He turned back to her and grinned. "Well, that didn't take long."
"Dr. Jackson has asked us to come see him. He has the other texts in his office. Do you want to take these now?"
"Sure, that sounds good." He reached for the books at the same time Cassie did. Their hands met and fingers intertwined as they reached for the same stack. Cassie snatched her hand back.
"Sorry."
"No problem." He picked up the stack. "I believe your Shakespeare says, 'Lead on, McDuff.'"
Cassie grinned at his having read English authors. "Follow me. How is it that you know Shakespeare?"
"My schooling was at the Air Force Academy."
"Get outta here!"
"Really? Where should I go?" Charlie seemed worried.
"That's just an expression…of disbelief. It doesn't mean literally go out of here."
"I wouldn't lie to you, Cassie." His voice warmed her. She liked the way he said her name.
"How could you have gone to the Air Force Academy?"
"On the planet."
"Oh, I thought you meant the Academy in Colorado Springs." Cassie relaxed.
"It was in Colorado Springs." Charlie added.
"That's weird, both places having a city called Colorado Springs."
"Yes. It was my fantasy request. My dear friend helped me get it."
"Dear friend?" Cassie looked up at Charlie. She felt more confused by the minute.
"Yes, my dear friend, …"
The overhead lights dimmed momentarily and the red-alarm lights turned and flashed with the accompanying bells screeching, "Unscheduled off-world activation." The intercoms spit out the control center voice.
"Lt. Colonel John Frakes. Report to SGC conference room. Lt. Colonel John Frakes. SGC Conference room." The control center voice intoned.
Cassie jerked her head up, "We need to go to the conference room."
"Why, what has Frakes to do with you?" Charlie frowned as he searched her face for clues. "Wait a minute, wasn't he with your team?"
"Yeah, he's my boss." Cassie led the way down the SGC passageway with Charlie keeping pace.
Outside the conference room, Cassie saw the others of SG-5 loitered. She and Charlie joined them.
"What's going on?" Cassie asked MAJ Ed Kenton.
"Don't know exactly. The colonel's been called to high security meeting." Ed said in low tones.
"Who was at the gate?" Cassie waited impatiently.
"An assistant to the Jaffa contractor involved in rebuilding Dekara." Ed added. "Jor'att."
"What's up?"
"I've heard the name before. He's the one that Teal'c sent the ZPM to yesterday." Charlie interjected.
"He brought plans with him. They put out a call for Teal'c." Colonel Frakes confided.
"Why wouldn't Teal'c have come in the first place?" Cassie wondered aloud.
"Thinking the same thing." Ed put his ear to the door.
"Ahem." Chief Master Sergeant Harriman stood at the reception area door to the conference room and offices.
Ed moved back from his listening post.
"Chief, what's up with Jor'att?" Cassie ventured.
"No comment, Lieutenant." Harriman replied.
"Aw, come on, Chief. Help us out. Something's happening."
"There's a problem with the Gamma site. That's all I can say." Harriman turned back into the office.
"What do you think, Major?
"I hear movement. Let's get…"
The door opened as LTC Frakes exited. "Major? Lieutenant?"
"Sir, we thought you might need us." Cassie jumped in. The major smiled at her. Her quick response got them off the hook of eavesdropping.
"I suppose you are saving me the need to call SG-5 together, given that you are nearly all here." Frakes led the way to his office. "Cassie, please take Charlie to his quarters. This is classified."
Cassie glanced at the Major who nodded his head. She knew he would brief her later. "Sir, we were on our way to see Dr. Jackson. He requested we come, when we heard the call."
"Then, carry on."
She turned to Charlie. "Come on." They exited down the passageway together.
In Frakes' office, the LTC turned to Ed Kenton.
"Major, SG-5'll need to go to the Gamma site tomorrow. Prep the team. There has been trouble. Someone has bombed the new Andromeda class Spacecraft under development."
"Andromeda at the Gamma site? Really? Heard rumors but didn't know it was true." Ed's face registered shock.
"Need to know, Ed."
"What's changed? Why now?" The major's face grew serious.
"The Marine contingent at the Gamma site was almost completely decimated. They think someone knew about it. An inside job." Frakes face was equally sober.
"No way."
"I couldn't believe it at first, either. But the destruction was too specific to be just lucky."
"No way that someone turned traitor from Stargate command."
"Well, we can't rule out the N.I.D. They have been infiltrated by the Goa'uld in the past. The Trust has gained access more than once. It could be that the person or persons who betrayed the site wasn't aware they were doing it. They could be a Za'tark."
"Ah, hell. What's the plan?"
"SG-5 is to report as a unit; investigate and blend in, rebuild and gain intel. Take the Tok'Ra Za'tark unit to possibly screen people. I'll be traveling back and forth to O'Neill here. You keep me informed. I keep him." Frakes stated simply.
"I'll call SG-5. Oh, I forgot, Cassie is on the Charlie-watch. You reassigning her to another unit? I can leave her on desk duty." Ed Kenton suggested.
"Actually, with Charlie's Tok'Ra abilities, he might prove helpful. I'll see if General O'Neill is willing to let him go to the Gamma site."
"He hasn't been cleared for here, yet. You honestly think O'Neill will go for it?"
"Won't know 'til we ask." Frakes pushed the button on his phone.
"Yes, sir, what can I do for you?" Chief Harriman responded promptly.
"Where's the general? I need to meet with him."
"He's in conference with Jor'att."
"Still in the conference room?" Frakes asked.
"Yes, sir."
"I'll head there."
"Yes, sir. I'll notify him you are coming."
"Thanks, Chief." Frakes pushed the intercom and disconnected. "Kenton? Gather your team. Meet up at 1300 in the conference room for briefing."
"Yes, Sir." Major Kenton stood up at attention, saluted and left the office. Frakes headed out the door soon after, and walked to the conference room.
Upon arrival, he saw Jor'att and O'Neill laughing and stacking papers. Their meeting was concluded, no doubt. He knocked and entered.
"General, I have a question." Both General O'Neill and Jor'att turned at his entrance.
"Yes, John. What's up?"
"It's about the Gamma site. SG-5 is assigned. You have Cassie escorting Charlie. Do you want her to stay behind or are you willing to allow him access to the Gamma site?"
"Have a seat, John." O'Neill sat back down.
"Is something wrong?"
"Probably."
"You suspect someone?"
"I'm always suspicious."
"But who, sir?" Frakes furrowed his brow. "Certainly our troops are trustworthy. Or is one a Za'tark?"
"While there could be a Za'tark, I suspect another source." O'Neill, with his innate sense of recognizing trouble, had the look on his face of the confidence of a well formed plan.
"Another?"
"I don't buy coincidences. Ever."
"No. Uh…what coincidence are you referring to?" Frakes, while a good officer, didn't have the 'spidey sense' that Jack had always demonstrated.
"Our Gamma site was bombed by unknown aliens within one day of the miraculous return in my life of the Re'tu who saved us. They saved us by sending an out-of-phase Re'tu to our world weeks before young Charlie arrived."
"You think Re'tu are involved? And Charlie?" Frakes shock registered.
"Too coincidental."
"You believe Charlie is a spy, then?" Frakes looked closely at O'Neill.
"I wish I could say, 'No.'" O'Neill did look disappointed.
"He was so generous yesterday."
"A little too generous. Pretty extravagant for a kid on his first job assignment." O'Neill suggested. "It doesn't add up why he would have everyone occupied at his site. Maybe if he'd just asked for me, but he brought the whole unit. I wouldn't be that extravagant. Why should he?"
"You think he made one into a Za'tark?"
"Could be, but I think he's got resources at his disposal that we are not aware of yet."
"What about Cassie?" John frowned as he remembered the way Cassie had brightened around Charlie.
"What about her?"
"She's attracted to him."
"I know.
"Doesn't that put her at particular risk?"
"Perhaps, but I can't change that."
"I can reassign another to watch him." Frakes suggested.
"And alert him that we are suspicious?" O'Neill questioned.
"You are willing for Cassie to be hurt, in order to further our investigation?"
"First, I trust Cassie. She won't give her heart to someone who is bad. Second, I think we can investigate in a fairly short time and if she were to fall for the bad boy, she won't be too involved to be hurt, too much." O'Neill counted his points on his fingers.
"So, take or leave Cassie and Charlie?"
"Take."
Lieutenant Colonel Frakes sighed. "I hope you know what you're doing."
"Me, too."
"I don't think she'll feel kindly to anyone setting her up. We' got to tell her."
"I can't afford to have her give the fact we know, away." O'Neill remained firm.
"She wouldn't."
"Not intentionally." O'Neill shrugged.
"I'm hoping I won't let it slip."
"I'm counting on you and SG-5, John. Don't let me down."
"Yes, Jack. I've called a briefing here at 1300."
"It's almost that now."
"I need to let Major Kenton know. The rest can be ignorant. I'll have chief call."
O'Neill pushed his button. "I'll do it."
"Yes, Sir."
"I need you to have Major Kenton come here ASAP and call SG-5 to the conference room for 1300. Can you put out the word?"
"Yes, Sir." Harriman hung up.
"Major Kenton, Conference Room. Major Kenton, conference room." Harriman's voice echoed over the loud speakers.
Kenton strolled through the door fairly quickly.
"I was already heading here."
"Sit down, Ed."
"Oh, boy. I know it's bad if you ask for that."
O'Neill and Frakes outlined the mission to Gamma.
Cassie and Charlie rounded the corner near and entered Dr. Jackson's study period.
"Hi Daniel." She grinned as he didn't look up. "I'm stealing your stuff and will never return." She thought to shock him.
Without looking up, Daniel typed into his computer. "Cassie, if you want me to research what you and Charlie already suspect, then you'd better not steal me blind."
Cassie laughed with a trill. Charlie grinned widely at her mirth.
They relaxed.
"Well, Cassie, what is the next step?"
"Daniel, I have to take Charlie around and make sure that everything is prepped for tomorrow."
"SG-5 to conference room."
"That's us." Cassie told Charlie and Daniel. "We gotta go. Bye Uncle Jack." She gave him a quick hug and then grabbed Charlie's arm and steered him back to the hallway up the passage to the conference room.
They were the first of SG-5 to begin strolling in. Of course, General O'Neill, Lieutenant Colonel Frakes and Major Ed Kenton were already there and didn't count as the team. The team was the underlings. Captains, LTs and non-coms. The others were supervisors.
She waited till Captain Lewis appeared along with Master Sergeant Morris before she entered the conference room. It was easier not to be the first one to report. Otherwise, you received a grilling from the head honchos. Her team mates were so brilliant, she preferred they answer questions.
Steven Morris was technically her junior, but one of the most diversified and skilled members. He had two master's degrees, and yet had never applied as an officer. He had a black belt in a martial art that combined several disciplines. Trained in weapons, he could tear apart just about any piece of equipment and put it together in record time.
"Welcome SG-5." General O'Neill began after they were all seated. "You will be on a mission to P5X-490. You'll meet up with the soldiers already there and establish a perimeter. We've had a report that they were bombed. You need to investigate and report back ASAP. Check out the Andromeda Class aircraft especially."
"Andromeda class?" Cassie questioned. "Excuse me, sir, what's that?"
"This site was restricted to a classification that most of you have not even heard of yet. It was constructed to build a new class of space ship, Andromeda, a bio-synthetic design that combines Asgard, Wraith with Ancient technology and a little Earth scientific skill stirred in."
"Can Charlie go with us?" Cassie blurted out.
"We've discussed it and believe that he might be able to be helpful, if you are willing to provide escort duty."
"Yes, sir." She replied, turning to Charlie, "That is if you want to go. It may be very boring."
"Anywhere with you can't be boring." Charlie muttered under his breath.
Cassie blushed but said nothing.
O'Neill and Frakes took turns going over the plans in greater detail. Cassie took the opportunity while they were talking to watch Charlie. She'd deliberate sat behind him at the table, so when the screen scrolled down, she could focus on him. Now she had the opportunity.
She noticed that Charlie was very attentive to everything being said. Cassie frowned. Charlie seemed to understand everything. How was that possible, if she didn't get everything and she was smarter than smart? A niggling voice warned her. She tamped it down.
