Suddenly, Sam knew she wasn't making it to work today. However angry the Bill Lee and Rodney McKay of this timeline might be, she wasn't going in. This was turning out to be one heck of a sick day.

Chapter 10: Back to Work

The rest of the day was spent at home, memories of her other self flooding her at will. In those rare moments she felt in charge of her own mind, she did more research. Among other things she found the whereabouts of a long lost friend. Much to her regret, the reunion would have to wait.

The next morning Sam finally made it to the mountain. Probably a good thing she'd waited. Though still unsure of much in the life of her counterpart, without her recently acquired memories, she'd be lost in McKay's lab. Her shock at the differences between the timelines would have betrayed her. Work was not the SGC, not by a long shot.

The Cheyenne Mountain complex in this timeline (that's what Sam had decided to call it from here out) was basically a slightly updated version of an oversized mid-twentieth century bunker. Between her on-line research and her rapidly returning memories of this world, Sam now knew this had been a center of operations for the western half of the country during the first two decades of the war without end. Apparently, as the killing dragged on, parts of the complex were co-opted by scientific researchers, most working in vain to develop superior weapons systems. Other areas remained devoted to tracking troop deployments. A still smaller area, one level in fact, had been given over to non-weapons related research.

That's where Sam was stationed. It was an oasis of sorts, a place where research for the sake of research was allowed to continue, if not flourish. Dreams were not highly valued in this culture, where death had become a way of life. For the most part, pure research without an immediately practical application was discouraged. And weapons were the most practical application possible, the place were the most people had the most invested.

After her own return from the front lines nearly ten years ago now, Sam had opted out of weapons research. Her father, even then a prominent and influential politician had managed to secure his daughter a coveted research appointment in a lab headed by Dr. Rodney McKay.

Even here, McKay was infamous for his oversized ego and ability to bring out the worst in people. Surprisingly Sam Carter had called him on his attitude early on and continued to work constructively with him over the last six years. It helped that Rodney had a crush on her from the very beginning.

"Sam, welcome back," Rodney greeted her warmly as she "returned" to the lab for the first time in three days.

"Thank you," Sam replied, relieved at his unexpected graciousness. "And thanks for being so patient with me yesterday."

"Frankly, I was worried you might have had a relapse," Rodney admitted. He'd been genuinely concerned during the dark days of Sam's involuntary commitment. "You didn't, did you?"

"No," Sam said, "I'm fine. I was overtired yesterday. Thanks again for understanding."

"No problem," McKay assured her. "Let me know if I can be of any help."

"Rodney, as a matter of fact I do need your help on something," Sam said, deciding to press her advantage while the iron was hot.

"Name it," Rodney said with a flourish.

"I was wondering," she began. "You were here before I arrived. Do you remember doing any work related to the Heisenburg Uncertainty Principle?"

"We've never pursued the theory here," Rodney admitted. "Too damned theoretical for our funding, I suppose. It would be interesting though, alternate timelines and parallel universes. Afraid I don't see that happening in this lifetime with the current administration."

Sam cringed, realizing her father was the head of the current administration.

"Oops, I stuck my foot in it again, didn't I?" Rodney said. Since Jacob had been elected three years ago, he'd made a conscious effort to cut back his blatant criticism of government officials.

"Not to worry," Sam assured him. "I've heard it all," she insisted, assuming the other Sam had by now.

"Hmm… hmm.."

Sam and Rodney turned to find Bill Lee standing in the doorway. He looked perturbed to say the least.

"What's eating you, Bill?" Rodney asked his lead researcher.

"Oh, not much, Rodney," Dr. Lee replied. "I've been waiting for Dr. Carter to arrive and conclude her section of our experimental survey. But don't mind me, I can wait."

"Cut her a break, Bill," Rodney said as pleasantly as he could. "We're about done here."

Bill Lee snorted derisively. Sure McKay's interest in their single female team member had proved to be no more than platonic over the years. Still, the favoritism was damned aggravating.

"I'm on my way, Bill," Sam said apologetically. It wouldn't do to have either of these men on her bad side. She might need their help to jury-rig whatever miracle would get her and the team out of here. As it was, she needed to ferret out exactly how much they knew about the theories that would be the most help to her.

"Before we get on with the day, one more thing," Sam persisted. "Have either of you heard of the latest NASA project, the one investigating the use of stable wormholes for space travel?"

Both men looked genuinely puzzled. Bill voiced the question.

"NASA?"

"Well, yes," Sam said. "You know the National Aeronautics and …," she stopped mid-sentence, catching the completely blank looks on both their faces. "Never mind, I think it was something I read in a fairly obscure journal article."

No NASA, no Stargate, she thought. Okay, at least I have more information. Now to see what I can get out of these computers.

"Fine," Bill said. "You never fail to impress me with the breath of your knowledge, Dr. Carter, but we do have a specific assignment to finish. Perhaps we should get to it."

McKay shot Dr. Lee a withering look. The other man got the message and took himself back to the lab.

"Don't mind him, Sam," Rodney said. "You know he's jealous of your brain."

Sam shook her head and made to leave. Rodney called her back.

"Stable wormholes, intergalactic travel … they're interests of mine as well," Rodney said amiably. "Once we finish charting Alpha Centauri, let's see where we can go with it."

OoOoOo

The work day passed uneventfully. The remaining scientists were, for the most part, glad to see Sam. Even Dr. Lee managed to be pleasant. Sam took every opportunity she could to pursue her independent research project, namely confirming her own location in time and space with the help of the mountain's tracking stations. No doubt about it, she was on Earth and the year was 2008. Star patterns fit perfectly. Right planet, right time, wrong timeline; there was only one thing to do. And she didn't like it, not one bit.

OoOoOo

Sam couldn't wait to get home that night. The guys were probably there right now, waiting at her door. She needed to see them.

As her car pulled up to the side of curb, she could see two forlorn figures sitting on her front step. They'd probably taken a cab here from the airport. No telling how long they'd been waiting for her.

Just seeing her friends from a distance lightened her mood. Throwing open the driver's side door, she ran up the walkway, calling their names. Daniel and Cam met her half way. The three teammates collided in an enthusiastic group hug. They needed the support of that contact as much as the air they breathed..

TBC

A/N: Personal note to all shippers: Don't worry, I promise there will be SJ ship. It's just taking me longer than planned to get to the good stuff and it seems to be coming secondary to the plot. However, it will be a lot of angst for awhile. Hope you stay with me!