"Report Colonel!"
"Place is deserted general. Not even a scrape of dust there!" looking at the group as shock dawned over his face, Sam stepped up.
"General, the Colonel's right, there was literally nothing there. No base, no personnel, no hostiles, no refugee's, nothing!" she stated watching his shocked expression turn to one of fear.
"Alright, briefing at 1700, your dismissed." And with that they exited the gate room, before the shell-shocked general, and the army of personnel who is always there ready and awaiting the order to shoot on site.
As the group of five sat down and a waited for the arrival of General Hammond, they looked at each other, every now and then. Jack and Sam would share a glance every few minutes, after their eyes wondered around the room. Both could read the fear and anguish on the others features and in their eyes. Not only about what had happened on P4X 55A, but for what is going to happen. How many other people knew about the site, how many other people would have used it as a reference if tortured? Their gazes finally met and held for what seemed like hours, until the general's voice cut them from their day dreaming, gazes.
"Alright Colonel, let's hear it,"
"Sir as I said when we got back, there was nothing there. It's like it was either blown up a few weeks ago, as there was nothing in the air and we were there, about a month ago anyway. Or the entire site has been moved somehow. Asgard transportation devices or god knows what, but there isn't anything there!" sighing he nodded.
"Captain?"
"I agree with the Colonel, General." Nodding he looked at the other three in the room.
"Ellen? Daniel?" looking across the table to each other, Mac's eyes hit the table first, by less then a mili-second.
"General, we both agree with what Jack and Sam has just said, however…" As he stopped, Mac took a deep breath and looked up at the three confused faces.
"We…" Just then Daniel coughed, and she looked away before glaring at him.
"I, think that the base is still there."
"How is that possible? You were just there!" Jack stated.
"I know that Jack, but what if they are using a device that puts them out of phase to us, so they stay safe? Like an invisibility cloche or something? I'm sorry, but I never said it before, because I never got a chance between getting told what the planet was called and getting yelled at to move out back to the gate…"
"But?" Sam questioned hesitatingly.
"I felt a presence of either a Goa'uld or an Ancient,"
WHAT?!" Jack roared, which got Mac to cringe slightly.
"Well if you weren't in such a hurry to get us back here, I could have said something! I was trying to tell Sam when you started yelling at all of us!"
"I concur O'Neill; Ellen was trying to tell Captain Carter something, before you called for us to follow you."
"Ok," Hammond said gently. "Ellen what do you mean that you 'felt a presence of a Goa'uld or an ancient'?"
"Well I can't be too sure general, I mean every time Teal'c comes up behind me or is in a certain perimeter, and I know he's there without seeing him. Just like I know where Sarah is without seeing her, I can just feel them."
"And you had this feeling when you were near that base?"
"Yes general! But as we got back to the 'gate I could feel it more strongly, it was like what ever it was, was trying to either stop us, follow us, or warn us of something."
"What if you went back to the planet?"
"No sir, I don't believe that we should ever go back there! If we were trying to be warned, then it'll be too late by now. If you want you can try to dial the gate, but by now it'll either be heavily guarded or the gate will be buried to stop anyone from venturing there and endangering themselves."
"Very well. We'll trying dialling to see what it shows, and then we'll lock it out of the system." Hammond stated standing. "Dismissed!" With that they all went to the control room, to try dialling P4X 55A. Only for the seventh chevron not to lock. Turning he looked at Ellen, before nodding. "Lock the address out of the computers!" Hammond said before moving back upstairs and to his office.
"So now what?"
"Well now we go and do something," Jack muttered, before walking off. Sighing Mac looked at Sam, before the four of them split to go their separate ways. Teal'c to his quarters to Kel'no'rem, Daniel to his lab, and Sam and Mac to Sam's lab.
"Sam does Jack hate most people, when they try to say something, but don't a chance or does he just give me special treatment?" Laughing gently, Sam looked at her and smiled.
"Ellie, sweetie Jac… Ah the Colonel, is just the Colonel, he's always like that."
"Did you just say Jack?" She smirked.
"No!" Sam huffed.
"Hey he's not here, I'm sure he knows I would have come here with you, like always and he's pretty pissed off with me at the moment, so what does it matter, he's not going to hear you!" She smiled. Sighing Sam rolled her eyes.
"Ok fine, I did say Jack, happy?"
"Yup," she grinned.
"It's just hard when you're always calling him Jack. Before it was just Daniel, and it was easier, because the General always calls him Colonel in company of others, and it was easy, and now with Teal'c he calls him O'Neill so that doesn't faze me, but you're ALWAYS saying Jack this, Jack that, Jack's an asshole, Jack's…"
"Hey I never said he was an asshole!"
"Did so!"
"Not!"
"Did!"
"Not!"
"Gah! Ellen! We're turning into Daniel and the Colonel!" Laughing she smiled.
"Is that such a bad thing?"
"Well when you think about their relationship it could quite possibly be a problem!"
"Yeah I suppose, poor Daniel, I mean Jack's always going off about something or other. I mean what IS his problem with scientists anyway? I mean he doesn't really have a problem with you and that's foreseeable but poor Daniel!"
"Hey what's that supposed to mean?"
"What? The fact you're in the military, the fact that you're female, the fact he's got the hots for you? Or the fact Daniel cops the wrath for every scientist, who's done wrong by Jack?"
"Ellen!" She huffed. Smiling she shrugged.
"What? I mean Sam you can't think that your not getting any of that 'I hate you because you're a scientist' attitude! You don't but Daniel does, and no offence but didn't you say that Daniel has saved Jack's life a few more times then you? He already had one up on you before you met Jack, and he loves you instantly, even though you're a 'scientist'!"
"Ellen you think WAY too much!" She smiled.
"What can I say it's in my genes," she smiled.
As he stopped outside her lab, he couldn't help but to over hear their conversation. He didn't hate Ellen, yeah ok he was a bit pissed off with her not saying a lot of things, but he didn't hate her! He was a bit of an asshole however, and he knew that he had been especially to her. But he couldn't believe that it was *that* obvious that he loved Sam. He knew that if Ellen had picked up on it, then others around the base who have known both him and Sam would also have picked up on it. Not to mention the fact that he couldn't help the smile that fell upon his lips every time Sam said his name.
He wanted to just stand there and listen to them talking about him for ever, just to hear Sam call him by his name. With no 'Sir's' or 'Colonel's' in her sentences. He loved how his name just rolled off her tongue, how she dragged out the syllables of his name, how she would extend the length of his name by holding onto the 'k' longer then most people would. But sadly he noticed that Ellen said his name the same way. 'Could it be one of those sibling or hereditary things?' He wondered. They rarely talked the same; they rarely pronounced things the same.
One was brought up in Australia and the other in America, it was common knowledge that they were sisters, but were raised on the opposite sides of the globe. It was also common knowledge that they not only argued about how certain words were pronounced, but they looked near identical. Apart from the colour of their hair, and some of their mannerisms, the pair both had inherited Jacob's eyes, ears, and mouth. The shape of their eyes, their noses and their chins were all inherited from their mothers'. It wasn't hard to see they were sisters.
However there were also instant differences. The most common were their physical. Ellen had dark hair and olive skin, while Sam had blonde hair and fair skin. Ellen also could read write, and understand not only ancient but Goa'uld as well. In fact that was most probably their only two. There was no way Sam could make sense of some of the writings that were found on different planets, but then again there was no way that Ellen could make sense of some of the scientific techno-babble that Sam would drone on about. In fact it was that, that he liked Ellen slightly better because they'd both be with her and ask 'so what does that mean? IN ENGLISH!'
Which of course would get Sam ticked off. One of their strengths was that neither could stay angry at the other for longer then ten minutes. Of course unless it was a life threatening situation that they almost got killed in because of a sibling dispute. Jack remembered one in particular. One where Ellen was actually correct, but Sam wouldn't have a bar of it. He remembered going back to the arguing duo, and grabbing Sam around the waist and throwing her over his shoulders just so they could get to the gate, and make it home with Teal'c and Daniel. The look he received when he came through with an uninjured but extremely angered Captain over his shoulders was one he'd never forget.
The way General Hammond frowned when the iris closed behind them. The way he shifted her against his shoulders to try and get her gently to the ground. The way she slid down his side holding him tightly, making sure she didn't fall. All while still yelling at Ellen who was just centimetres behind them, still going off at Sam. He smiled at the after thought, of them not talking for days and it was up to Sarah to mediate between them, and how Sam would lock herself in her lab all day, and Ellen would be off bugging Daniel, or helping him with translating something while she was still steaming and pouring everything out to him.
As the last statement from Sam swam through his mind he couldn't help but chuckle. But stopped suddenly, as the room went quiet. 'Damnit! Bustard big time!' He thought. Taking a deep breath he moved around the corner and over the threshold into the lab. Looking at the two women who looked so angry at him, and yet confused and blushing as they saw him standing there in front of them.
"Carters'!" He grinned.
"Sir,"
Jack,"
"Just thought I'd come by and apologise for blowing up earlier Ellen. I should have listened to you, when you were trying to talk to Carter."
"Mm…" She grunted turning away from him, and looking at one of the gizmos on the desk.
"Ah sir, um…"
"Don't worry Carter only just got here," he lied. He'd tell her the truth one day, he thought. "Just couldn't help but laugh at the irony in your statement, that's all."
"What? That Ellen thinks too much?"
"She's a Carter, Carter! It's in your genes to think! Ask dad! Even he thinks you think too much, and there's two of him… Well not really, but sort of, but…" Shaking his head he walked around the desk. "You know what I mean!" He stated.
"Yes sir," she smirked.
"Jack, can you go so we can continue or conversation?"
"Why? You were talking about me?"
"Yes actually, I was just telling Sam what an asshole you are, and how you can be nothing but a prick!"
"Ellen!" Sam gasped.
"Well that's true, I suppose. But I usually only act like that if I'm threatened in one way or another." He stated simply.
"So you're telling me, that as Sam's sister I'm threatening to you screwing her?"
"ELLEN!" Sam yelled, but was once again ignored by both parties.
"Well if you put it like that, I suppose after what three or four years of working my ass off to gain dads trust and for him to come to respect me in some form, yeah I guess I'm thinking I have to go through all that again." Rolling her eyes, Mac huffed.
"For Christ sakes people! Just take a few days off go on a holiday somewhere and get it all out of your systems! Jacob trusts most people if they show they'll never hurt his children, and if they prove trust worthy! I'm pretty sure you've done all that! Just go out and screw!" She exclaimed before stalking out of the lab and slamming the heavy security door closed. Well slamming it as much as possible.
"Well that was interesting," Jack mumbled.
"Sorry sir, she's just a bit angry about what happened this morning."
"It's alright Carter, I understand. I apologised, and that's all that can be done. If she's anything like you we'll be best buddies by tomorrow morning." He grinned.
"Yes sir. However I am sorry about what she said about our relationship. She didn't mean anything by it sir." Watching her, Jack felt him self fall flat on his face. Hiding his misery he nodded.
"Not a problem Carter, she's probably been thinking it for a while. So it doesn't matter."
"Yes sir,"
"I ah better get back to it then," he smiled gently, before moving to the door, and finding it locked. "Ah, Carter…"
"Sir?"
"Does Ellen have one of these yet?" He asked holding up his security card.
"Um, I think so sir. I think General Hammond got her one a few days ago. After all she has been here for a few months, sir. Why what's wrong?"
"Well it looks like she's locked us in here. My cards not opening the door. Wanna try yours?" Moving over to him, she frowned, taking her card and swiping it, only to find it wouldn't unlock the door either. As Jack looked at her, he saw the fire starting to burn in her, and moved to the phone.
"This is Captain Carter; I need an electrical team to my lab ASAP! The security door has been closed and has locked Colonel O'Neill and I in here." Hearing laughter on the other end, her eyes widened.
"Ellen! Get your butt back down here and unlock the door!"
"Sorry Sammie no can do. Oh the General say's hi and to get comfortable. Oh and Sammie there are condoms in you're second draw!" Laughing she hung up the phone.
"Not coming?"
"No sir!" She seethed hanging up. "It appears the General is in on this sir, Ellen said that he said hi and to get comfortable."
"What?! You can't be serious!"
"To some extent I wish I was sir, I mean I value your friendship, and company off-world especially but this is madness!"
"What else did she say?" He asked looking more then slightly deflated. As he walked around the room, and creating a sign before holding it up to the camera, then unplugging it.
"That, there's…" Stopping she shook her head. "Um, nothing else sir."
"You sure?" He asked turning to her, as she turned and saw him put the piece of paper on her desk. Frowning she moved over to it.
"What's this?" She frowned picking it up as he shrugged. "'turning this off now, leave us to talk, thanks for nothing, I do hate you now Ellen'" she read aloud then looked at him, before the camera as he shrugged. "Sir!"
"Carter, listen to me, they did this for a reason what ever it may be I don't know but think about it, if the camera's not on, we can just sit here and talk, or you can work and I'll play around with something, ill try not to break it promise. But the thing is, they won't know what's going on. They can think what ever they like. But we'll now the truth. If this is what they wanted then by tomorrow morning we'll be out of here." Sighing she nodded.
"True, but it'll go around the sgc that…"
"Is that such a bad thing? Carter we'll know nothing happened. Let the mill turn, let them have their fun."
"I suppose," she mumbled.
"Ah!" Mac groaned gripping her stomach.
"Ellen?" Hammond questioned, looking at her, as she shook her head only to squeeze her eyes shut tightly. Moving out of the briefing room, he saw an SF. "Get me doctor Faiser now!"
"Yes sir!" He stated saluting before leaving quickly. Moving back into the room he saw her hunched over the table, in utter pain.
"Ellen, can you do me one favour and sit?"
"Sam," she whispered, voice shaking, before Janet came into the room. Seeing her hunched she ran across the room, to Ellen.
"Ellen what is it?"
"Pain," she whispered.
"Ok I need you to sit for me, ok. Can you do that?" Sniffling she nodded. And sat as Hammond left the room quickly.
"You two with me!" He stated looking at the two SF's, standing near the door.
"So now what?" Sam sighed, looking at him, as they were sitting on opposite sides of her desk, looking at each other.
"Don't know, tell jokes?"
"Sir…" She warned, only to be interrupted by the sound of the door unlocking and opening.
"See told ya Carter!" He grinned jumping off the stool to his Hammond. "General," he smiled.
"Colonel," he muttered before looking at Sam. "Sam, something's wrong with Ellen, she's in the briefing room with Fraiser. I think it could be the baby." As soon as that was said Sam ran out, almost knocking him over, as she ran straight to the briefing room. Seeing Ellen and Janet in the far corner, she moved over.
"Janet?"
"Sam!" Ellen cried, pain filtering through her cracking voice.
"Hey I'm here, it's alright," she whispered. Taking Ellen's hand tightly.
"What's wrong?"
"I don't know but we have to get her to the infirmary, she's further along then I thought, I haven't examined her because we needed an obstetrician. I've been watching her and she seemed fine, but I think she's at least a month further along then we thought."
"What so she's seven and a half months? She almost eight months? Janet that's impossible she's too small to be eight months!"
"I'm aware of that Sam, but it's the only thing that's keeping my mind with some ease. We have to get her to the infirmary. Before you got here I told her we might have to either induce labour or do an emergency C-section."
"Oh my god, Ellie," she whispered, now understanding slightly why her big sister was such a mess.
