Body, Mind and Soul
DISCLAIMER: Stargate SG-1 and its characters are the property of
Showtime/Viacom, MGM/UA, Double Secret Productions, and Gekko
Productions. We have written this story for entertainment purposes only
and no money whatsoever has exchanged hands. No copyright infringement
is intended. The original characters, situations, and story are the
property of the author. Not to be archived without permission of the
author.
SUMMARY: After a mission gone wrong, the Tok'ra believe O'Neill broke to the enemy and divulged everything he knew. With Jack not speaking in his defense, the President authorizes more persuasive measures to be put into effect. But will this prove O'Neill's innocence or kill his soul?
RATING: PG-13
WARNINGS: Language/References to torture
CATEGORY: Angst/Hurt/Comfort
AUTHOR'S NOTES: This is my first fic so please tell me what I need to work on for the future. I'm going to do this story in short chapters (like 5 pages worth in Word) as time allows. Please send me lots of feedback so I feel the need to continue writing! Thanks and enjoy! You can reach me at if you feel the need to give even more feedback!
CHAPTER NOTE: Alright. Here is the final chapter of the saga. If I get enough reviews I may feel motivated enough to write another story! Don't be lazy, review!
Chapter 10
A week and two days had passed since Jack had been questioned at the SGC regarding his involvement of the massacre at the Tok'ra base. Shortly after receiving the message from the Tok'ra, Jack left with Dr. Frasier to the infirmary for 24 hours observation, and Sam had left with her father for a few days bonding time before he had to return home. She had said good-bye to Jack in the infirmary, squeezed his hand, and taken off. When Jack was released, he went home, packed, called Gen. Hammond to request a week off and disappeared, supposedly to his cabin in Minnesota. He was 24 hours overdue when Hammond called a meeting with SG-1.
Sam sighed as Daniel's head once again made contact with her shoulder as he continued snoring. She looked over to the window seat of the airplane and saw Teal'c enthusiastically, well, enthusiastic for the stoic Jaffa anyways, peering through the window at the swiftly moving ground. After Hammond had booked them on a commercial airline to Minnesota, Daniel had somehow managed to talk her into sitting in the middle seat as Teal'c had never ridden in a commercial plane before and Daniel would have to have easy access to the bathroom for tissue if his allergies acted up. So far, Sam had not heard one sniffle from him the entire trip. She sighed once again when the captain came over the intercom to say they were waiting for clearance to land.
Daniel stretched as he exited the driver's seat of the rental. He glanced over at Carter in the passenger seat who still looked a little surly at having sat between him and Teal'c for 3 hours. Teal'c exited the back seat and they all turned to regard the cabin in front of them.
It was small and quaint looking, like a cottage, but built to withstand the harsh weather the winter brought. It was made entirely of wood except for the fireplace, which was made of brick. Along one side of the cabin was a porch, complete with a swing and flower pots filled with wild flowers. Just visible from behind the porch was a rented vehicle with Minnesota tags, so they knew Jack was still there. Unwilling to disrupt the peacefulness of the area, the three split up silently in search of their friend. Teal'c started to circle the cabin, while Daniel went inside and Sam decided to head down to the lake, which was mostly hidden from view by trees.
Upon nearing the lake, Sam could clearly make out Col. O'Neill standing ankle deep in water, far away from the pier that still held fishing gear and a chair. She could tell that he knew she was there long before she had spotted him, so she continued to walk in a straight line towards him. Upon reaching his side, she took off her socks and shoes and rolled up her pant legs, stepping in to the chilly water. She gazed out on the lake and took in its beauty and serenity before turning to regard O'Neill.
"Sir?" She asked, hoping he would understand the unspoken end of her question. Why are you still here?
"Carter?" Apparently not. Sam decided to be a little more straightforward.
"Sir, you were due back yesterday morning. What happened?"
When he started to speak, he was very subdued and spoke in a soft voice, belying the anger and emotion behind his words. "Besides being called a traitor by my own government? Besides being coerced into reliving days of torture? Besides having everyone look at me with pity in their eyes?"
Sam looked down for a moment and then back up to his face. She smiled wryly as she asked, "Stupid question, Sir?"
Jack turned to respond with a small smile of his own and noticed Teal'c and Daniel standing on the hill just below his cabin. Teal'c returned his gaze and Daniel smiled at him before pulling out his cell phone, probably to tell the Gen. that he was alright. If only that was true. "Hammond didn't think you could bring me back alone?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.
Sam blushed ever so faintly as she too turned to look at Teal'c and Daniel and said, "He thought you might want the moral support, Sir."
Jack refocused his gaze on the lake where ducks were lazily making their way across. "Carter, I think I'm too old for this shit."
To his surprise, Carter merely looked like she had anticipated his statement and she said very calmly, "If you quit on me now, I swear I will resign from the Air Force because there is no one I trust more to lead me into battle. If you resign, who will look out for the team? Who will keep me on my toes? Who will keep Daniel from getting killed again? Who will teach Teal'c that the wings aren't actually all that great at Hooters?" Jack turned and gave an actual smile at that before Sam continued. "I know you're feeling betrayed and angry and you should. That anger keeps us honest and will keep us from making any other mistakes like this. You may feel like the government turned its back on you when you needed it most, but don't turn your back on it. Be the bigger man. Let them know that you still have honor and integrity and lead by example. We, I, need you Sir, now more than ever." This last part was said with so much confidence and was so heartfelt that Jack started reevaluating his reasons for retirement. Sam was right. He could still do his job better than most of the younger soldiers, even if his knees weren't what they used to be…Wait a minute!
"Hey Carter?" He said while turning to completely face her. "Does the Tok'ra healing device repair torn cartilage and frayed ligaments?"
Sam looked very confused at the turn in subject, but considered his question as seriously as if he had asked her to blow up another sun. "I think so Sir. Why?"
Jack grinned fully at her before saying, "I think I may have discovered part of what the Tok'ra can do to pay me back."
"Alright Jack. Tell me how that feels?" Jacob asked after setting the healing device down.
Jack tested out his 'new' knees and gave a perfunctory whoop of victory at his flexibility. "Thanks Jacob! I think I'll take them for a spin. Join me Carter?"
Carter smiled at him and replied, "Of course, sir."
Walking side by side they passed a grinning Janet standing next to Jacob and exited the infirmary.
They walked in mutual silence for five minutes before Jack cleared his voice.
"Um, Carter?"
"Yes sir?"
"About what you said a few days ago…about needing me? Did you really mean it or were you just trying to get me to come back?" He asked with no small amount of fear.
Sam slowed slightly and turned so she could see his face as she gently smiled and said, "I meant every word of it, sir."
Jack smiled back so big he thought his face would split open. "Sweet."
Sam rolled her eyes slightly as she smiled widely and said, "Com'mon sir. I think I remember seeing that airman that ratted you out in the gym earlier. Feel like giving it another go?" She asked knowingly.
Still smiling at her happily he said, "You betcha!"
The End