Chapter 9: The Mission Briefing
I changed Kerry's affiliation from CIA to FBI; reason being was CIA has no authority on US soil unless working with domestic agencies.
General Hammond had a few more questions for his 2IC regarding the NID's plans and one personnel. Jacob needed confirmation on whether or not Jack had feeling for his daughter. Unfortunately for George the task fell to him.
FLASHBACK {Jacob had taken some leave from the Tok'ra to visit Samantha. One night he was awoken from screaming coming from his daughter's room. Jacob ran to her door as a father should. He heard quite sobs coming from within. He entered slowly seeing his Sammy with her head buried in her hands. Jacob sat beside her as she began sobbing into his shoulder. Sam told her father of the nightmare she had after calming down. She also confessed to loving her superior. Jacob was furious to say the least. His first thoughts were to march over to Jacks for a 'TALK'. Sam finally got her father to listen letting him know that nothing had happened. This only placated him for the time being. Sel'mack had talked some sense into her host despite Jacobs's stubbornness.}
George looked across the desk at Jack knowing the answer to both questions but had to ask anyway. "Colonel, what do you thinks in the case?" he asked the easy question first. Jack scratched the back of his head before answering. "I personally think it's a sniper rifle because surveillance equipment would be more bulky."
The general took this in then continued on. "That makes sense with Shanahan being sniper qualified. The only question is who is his target? He has all our file's so it could be one or all of us." he finished.
"That's a distinct possibility Sir. However there is another possibility Sir." Jack added. George leaned back motioning his 2IC to explain. "My contact discovered that his partner/girlfriend lives in the same area of Daniel. The NID could be onto our mission to capture Osiris. They may try to intercept her." Jack said explaining a theory that he had not shared with Harry.
"That's sounds like something they would try. Do you have any evidence to support that theory?" George asked with concern. "There's no hard evidence. It's just a theory right now. My contact wasn't able to decode the final section. He should have that part decoded by the morning." he explained.
"Let's hope it's not too late for all of our sakes. To be on the safe side I'm going to assign two more SG teams to you. We can't let Osiris fall into their hands." The general added. "Sir, I would feel better if you stayed on base tonight or at least get a security detail?" Jack told his commanding officer. "I'll just stay on base tonight. I have a back log of paperwork as it is." The general said."Will there be anything else Sir, I should get some sleep before the mission." his 2IC asked while fidgeting with the pen still.
George remembered the conversation he had with Jacob before he left.
FLASHBACK {"George, I need you to do a favor for me. It concerns my Sammy." Jacob said to his long time friend. "Jake, I look at Samantha as my own. No need to ask. What can I do for you?" he replied passing over the Crown Royal. Being the general defiantly had its benefits. Jacob looked around his friend's office letting out a long sigh. Sel'mack had convinced him that this was the best way to proceed after a lengthy argument. "Sammy had a bad nightmare concerning Colonel O'Neill. After Sam calmed down enough she made an confession to me." He said setting down the whiskey. Sel'mack allowed him this one indulgence every now and then. George perked up leaning forward to hear well. "My Sammy is deeply in love with him. She tried to fight it only to fall deeper in love. Not being able to be with Jack is killing her George. I know the rules but this is my little girl. I want to see her happy." He finished leaning back running a hand across his face. "I understand what you're saying Jake. Colonel O'Neill feels the same way. They both try to hide their love to no avail." He confirmed prompting an 'I told you so from Sel'mack'. "Could you confirm that for me? If he does I want to find a way for them to be together. They both deserve to be happy. If that sorry excuses of a 2IC of yours make her happy, so be it." He said with a chuckle. Jacob did like the colonel to be honest. He just liked giving him a hard time. "I can do that Jake. I also just might have a way to allow them to be together." George replied with a smirk. The two friends refilled their tumblers as George laid out his idea.}
"I have one more question for you colonel. After that you'll be dismissed. The question I have for you is off the record. I need an honest answer from you, no deflecting understood." Jack froze up momentarily dropping the pen. "Ah... Sure General." he said bending over to pick up the pens too hide a grimace.
"Jacob wants to know if you have feelings for Samantha?" said the concerned godfather. "I assure you Sir, nothing has happened between us. I would never jeopardize her career or honor." the colonel said defensively. "I know that you would never do that. You're too honorable of a man. Jacob and I just want to know if you feel the same way. Do you love her as she loves you, off the record?"
Jack moved around a bit before he answered. Looking George in the eye knowing there was no use in hiding any longer "I would give my last dying breath for Samantha. I love her with all of my heart and soul!" he said dropping his head into his hands with worry. If Kinsey found this out her career would be over. His really didn't matter since he's got the proverbial t-shirt.
Hammond walked around and put a hand on Jacks shoulder "I know son; we just wanted to hear it said. Jack, there's no need to worry. We'll keep this between us." The colonel looked up at his commanding officer with new respect. "Now go get some sleep before your mission, you're going to need it." Jack stood up handing George the brief case "when you're done with the attaché case let me know. Samantha gave it to me." he said with a smile."
Colonel O'Neill walked to his on base quarters mere minutes before Dr. Frasier came to get her friend. The day had exhausted him because of his worry for Sam. The information truly made him scared for Carter. Sam worked too hard get where she was today and to have all wiped out was unthinkable. Jack laid his head on the pillow faintly hearing crying before sleep claimed him.
2045HRS: Colonel O'Neill was looking at the stargate from the briefing room. He was thinking about the fact that Sam had broken up with the potato head. Sam was probably hurting more from the pain the shrub caused than breaking up.
They were back to square one again, both single yet those damn regulations stood between them. He could retire but Sam wouldn't hear of it. That he knew for a fact. The only other recourse would be for her change teams or transfer to the labs. Either option would take her off the team but they could date. They'd both have a hard time being separated from each other as well. It would be a workable solution. It could harm her advancement though.
Jack sighed to himself resolving to have a talk with her after this Osiris and Shanahan mess was cleared up. Teal'c entered the briefing room noticing Jack in deep thought. Daniel of course was oblivious due to the book in his hands. "Hey Jack, I have a theory on the lost city." he said with caffeine induced enthusiasm. Teal'c had tried to stop him but was to slow this time around. He noticed a slight jump in his 'brother in arms' that no one else would have seen.
"...and what theory would that be Space monkey? That they went on a road trip and forgot their map?" he asked in jest smiling wide. Teal'c raised his right eyebrow while Daniel gave Jack an annoyed look. "Noooo Jack! Why would they need maps? I mean they were far more advanc...…" the resident archeologist started to explain whythey didn't need maps. The colonel realized his mistake as Daniel rambled on. He put a finger in each ear and spoke in a sing song voice "I'm not listening, I'm not listening to you lalalaalala".
Neither man nor child in this case noticed Major Cater or the leaders of SG-3, 4, 13 and 25 enter the room. They all witnessed the child like antics of the two wishing for a digital recorder. Sam tried to hold her giggle in to no avail. Jack stopped and looked at her seeing the megawatt smile that he had missed so much.
Daniel, oblivious as usual only stopped when the former first prime lightly smacked him in the back of the head."Ouch! What was that for?" he asked rubbing the back of his head then pushed up his glasses. "Daniel Jackson, everyone has arrived for the briefing of tonight's mission. I simply 'GIBBS SMACKED' you to get your attention. Was it not effective?" the big man asked with a Jaffa sized smile. The room burst out laughing while Daniel just sat down in the nearest chair.
"Hardy, har, har Teal'c, What's a 'Gibbs Smack' anyways?" he asked as the room burst out in more laughs. Walter walked in with the briefing materials wondering what was so funny. He wondered if the mess hall cooks had pulled another prank. Walter made a mental note to avoid the mess hall and grab McDonalds on the way home.
"Colonel O'Neill, here's the briefing materials you asked for." the sergeant said breaking up the laughter. "Thank you Walter" Jack replied regaining control. "Will there be anything else sir?" he asked hoping he could get out alive as everyone sat down. He didn't fail to notice that Major Carter sat to the right of her commanding officer or the look they shared. "No sergeant, that'll be all. You have a good night and tell your wife hi for me." Jack said taking his place at the head of the table.
"I will Sir, good luck tonight. I hope all goes well."
The little man said scurrying out of the room. Walter thought to himself 'Major Carter and the Colonel are practically on speaking terms again. I'm going to have to keep a close eye on them. He needed to verify if she broke up with that detective. I think it's time I talked to my source. Then I should check my books.' Walter started running the numbers in his head while smiling all the way home.
Jack was uncomfortable in the seat normally occupied by General Hammond. It just didn't feel right he thought while trying to get comfortable. Sam gave him a motherly look. The one she used to give him from across her work bench. Sighing internally he began. "Well boys and girls,this will be the last night of our steak out. The plans have changed a little but nothing drastic." he said looking at everyone.
"First off I'd like to introduce FBI Agent Kerry Johnson and her team. They will be assisting us tonight and other ongoing operations." Jack said and then introduced her team. Agent Kerry was an attractive brunette that had an air of confidence about her. She looked around the room sizing up the SGC members. The FBI agents' attention stopped on Colonel O'Neill. Kerry smiled at him as he continued the briefing. Her attention went unnoticed by Jack as he briefed everyone.
Major Carter however did notice the women's predatory look. Sam unconsciously scooted her chair closer to Jack while giving Kerry a look that implied 'MINE, Stay away'. "We'll be using the FBI as a cover for our mission. Sara Gardner aka Osiris will be wanted in connection to an investigation. If the operation doesn't go right for some reason Agent Johnson will be the one answering questions.
I'll retain operational control for the mission." he said taking a pause for a drink of water. Agent Johnson caught Sam glaring at her from across the room. She then noted her closeness to the very attractive Colonel O'Neill. Thinking to herself she wondered if the rumors' she heard were true. Kerry had heard that Major Carter was dating a local detective. The gossip line was a buzz about this just being a cover for the two officers. That couldn't be because everything she read about the sexy colonel screamed honor & duty first. The same could be said for the Major in regards to her dedication. There might be an underlying attraction between the two that was held back because of regulations. Kerry came to the conclusion that this was the case. She was going to get a date or better with Colonel O'Neill.
The FBI agent smiled back at her now competition that implied 'bring it on!' Sam realized what this now meant; she had a fight on her hands. Sam scooted her chair closer to Jack without thought. Daniel noticed Sam edging closer to his best friend asking. "Sam, is there anything wrong?" Never looking away from the she devil, yes that was the FBI Agent was. Sam responded "Everything is just peachy Daniel."
He finally noticed where her 1000 yard stare was directed. The good doctor also noticed were Kerry's was looking, at Jack. Daniel thought to himself while rubbing his forehead 'this will not end well. I'll need help from Teal'c since Jack is wearing blinders'. Daniel reached over to pull his friends chair closer to his. The purpose was to not cause any more rumors' or gossip. Sam was drawing to much attention currently. This action caused Sam to shoot the archaeologist a mean look while Kerry just smiled.
"Carter, are you okay?" Jack asked with concern. Sam realized what was happening causing her to blush slightly. "I'm fine Sir; just a little worried is all. I'll be okay once this is all settled!" she said calmly. Jack could feel the tension rolling off his 2IC. He wondered what had changed Carters attitude so quickly. Jack knew this wasn't the time or place, so it would have to wait.
"Okay everyone, just to recap. SG-1 will be inside Daniels house and the surveillance van. Perimeter control will fall to SG 3, 13 and Agent Kerry's team. SG-4 and 25 will stay with the ambulances and other vehicles until Osiris is in custody SG4 and 25 will bring the vehicles up. SG25 along with Teal'c will beam up and secure the ship, then fly it to Area 51 for further study. SG4 and 13, you'll be responsible for escorting Sara Gardner back to the base. SG3 and Kerry's team will hold the perimeter while SG1 does clean up." he said looking at the team leaders. "Is there any questions or comments?' Jack asked "Well since no one has any let's all become FBI agents then. To the Bat cave everyone" he said clapping his hands together grinning ear to ear.