Chapter 4
Authors Note
I think this chapter explains some more things and I really hope that everyone is still enjoying the story.
The Tokra stood awkwardly next to his daughter. "How are you Sam?"
"Shouldn't I be asking you that?"
"I'm okay. A bit banged up but Selmak's healed most of me."
"Does Janet know you're out of bed?"
"No, I snuck out. She's worse than an ashrak!"
Sam smiled at this but didn't relax. "Look, I…"
"Its okay, Sam. It wasn't you."
"How can you even look at me? I stabbed you! I threw you through a window!"
"No you didn't. Hera did. I've been around the galaxy, Sam. I know the difference between the parasite and the host. The parasite stabbed me. The host had the strength to overcome it."
"So, you didn't even look at Hera and see me hurting you?"
"No. All I saw was my daughter trying to escape from a prison."
Their conversation only lasted a few minutes. Both people were nervous around each other and exhausted but it did Sam good. She went to sleep that evening with less guilt on her shoulders.
"Major Carter, we must leave now."
Sam had only been awake a short while when this statement came from the doorway of the infirmary.
"Teal'c ? What's going on?"
The Jaffa merely grabbed her arm and lifted her out of bed.
"I can't just leave, Teal'c. Janet will kill me. Is there an emergency?"
Teal'c led the way to the doorway, checking both directions before dragging Sam down the corridor.
"Doctor Fraiser is in agreement with this course of action."
"What course of action?"
They were halfway down the corridor when they heard a loud voice.
"Carter? Don't know where she is. Not in the infirmary that's for sure."
Teal'c froze and then began dragging Sam the other way.
"Was that the Colonel? He knows where I am. Will you tell me what's happening?"
"Colonel O'Neil has instructed me to get you to the surface as quickly as possible. I will explain more when we are there."
Their journey to the surface was quick but interrupted by frantic dodges into shadowed corners whenever another person came close. Sam spent the journey desperately trying to hold her hospital gown together.
When they finally reached the "real world", Sam noticed several black vans surrounded by armed men in black suits.
Before she could comment on them, Teal'c had led the way to a cover of trees. It was still dark and she had a hard time avoiding stones on her bare feet.
"Now you have to talk to me, Teal'c." she demanded when they finally came to a stop.
The Jaffa opened his mouth but two other figures appeared.
"It's okay, it's us." Daniel hissed.
"Please tell me what's going on!"
Jack threw a shirt and pair of jeans at Sam who glared at the men until they had turned their backs. She pulled the clothes over her gown while Jack explained.
"The NID finally found out how you've spent the last month."
"What? It's okay, you can turn around now."
"Maybourne and his cronies want to "question" you. They want Hera's knowledge. We thought we'd get you out of there until you were ready."
"What about Dad?"
"Hammond managed to get a few minutes warning and your Dad got through the Gate in time." Jack said.
"Doesn't this make me AWOL?"
"General Hammond was in full participation. He and Doctor Fraiser are currently delaying the agents."
"Well, what do I do now?"
"I think the NID are going to your house now so I suggest you head in the opposite direction. How about Mexico?"
"I can't keep running forever. Sooner or later, they're going to find me. I…"
She was interrupted by the arrival of a smirking Maybourne. "Not running away, are you, Major Carter?"
"No, sir. I just came up to get some fresh air. Colonel O'Neill came to let me know that you were here."
"Your Doctor had no idea where you were"
Here, Sam tried to look abashed. "It wasn't exactly with her permission sir. I was getting bored in my hospital bed."
Maybourne looked at her suspiciously but could find no fault in her reasoning.
"Would you have any problems with answering some of my questions?"
Jack opened his mouth to protest but Sam silenced him with a glare. "None at all, sir."
Ten minutes later, Sam found herself in a room normally used for interrogating prisoners. It was just her and Harry Maybourne, face to face across a table.
"Major Carter, what do you remember about your time with Hera?"
"Nothing," she blurted out.
"We both know that's not true."
Outside, Jack O'Neill was pacing in front of the room, unable to interfere although he could hear what was going on
"Why did we let this happen?"
"I have my orders too, Jack," Hammond said regretfully. "The President feels that Major Carter may have valuable information.
"She said that she can't remember anything." Daniel protested.
"Major Carter may be lying about her memory."
Back in the interrogation room, Sam was looking Maybourne directly in the eyes, trying not to blink in case he saw it as a sign she was lying.
"I remember when the symbiote went into my neck and then all I know is waking up in the infirmary here."
"How did you know it was the infirmary here if you don't remember anything?"
"I've woken up enough times in the infirmary to know where I am."
"You do realize that any information you can recall from your time as host could provide essential to the defense of Earth."
"I do realize that, sir and I really wish I could help. I just can't remember anything."
After an hour of questioning, Maybourne finally gave up and left, taking his men with him. Before he went, Jack couldn't help a passing shot.
"She didn't tell you anything, Harry? Your bosses aren't gonna be too happy with that."
"If I find out she's lying, I'll have her locked away for treason."
With this threat, Maybourne called his men and they left the mountain.
Authors Note:
I'm hoping that the Jacob/Sam reunion scene wasn't too soppy or anything, I just knew the meeting had to occur sometime. Maybourne and the NID were the "old friends" I talked about in the last chapter. They're the guys you love to hate. Or the guys you just hate.
Anything anyone wants added in the next chapters?
