Say Goodbye to Yesterday

Disclaimer: Belongs to whoever owns it; definitely not me

Rating: PG-13

Pairing: Sam/Jack

Summary: 'His eyes now red with strained unshed tears, Daniel softened his voice, "She's dead Jack. Sam's dead."' After a tragic accident; the entire SGC is left reeling . . . including Sam . . .

Author's Note: This is set somewhere in season 7, pre-Pete.

Chapter Eleven

Closer

Sam had reluctantly agreed to go into the city with Hans. He had said that it would help her memory return and he didn't know why he hadn't thought of it sooner. However, Sam begged to differ. He had thought of it sooner. His rush and anxiety told her that this was his last resort to get her to remember. Sam, far too curious than was good for her, decided to ignore the alarm bells going off in her head and play along. This may just be what she needed to find the missing pieces of her jigsaw, but that didn't mean she wasn't alert.

The city was just how she remembered it; barren. The area had been built purely for the council's purposes. There were no cosy little residential areas, shops or markets. Very few people walked the city's streets; most sentient beings being behind the closed doors.

Sam could make out the plain grey building a little further ahead, as she and Hans walked up the side of the dirt road. The building, Sam thought, was strangely out of place. Frosya seemed to be very traditional, rooted in the past, they seemed deeply proud of their heritage. Most of the older buildings were evidence of that, and so it seemed particularly strange that the very building from which they governed took no importance in historic design. It contrasted well with the rest of the city, starkly standing out.

"Where are we going?" Sam asked as Hans walked forward opening the door to the Council's headquarters.

"This is where Frosya's Council sits," Hans explained as Sam followed him into the entrance hall.

The hall was almost a perfect square; each of the corners of the room having been cut off to form four corridors. In the middle of the vast wasted space was what in all likelihood the reception desk. A woman, with long, curly auburn hair sat behind it. She was busy with what appeared to be some sort of computer, but that didn't mean that they hadn't been noticed.

"Hello," she said looking up and smiling kindly, "Is there something I can help you with?"

Hans smiled back, "Yes there is," he said walking up closer to the desk. Sam stood beside him still taking in her surroundings; everything becoming clearer now that she was here.

"I need to speak to a friend who works here," Hans explained, "He is a scientist."

This definitely sparked Sam's interest but having to keep up the pretence of amnesia, Sam kept her face stoic and disinterested.

"What is the name of the scientist you wish to see?"

"Toron."

The auburn haired receptionist clicked a few buttons. "He is currently working in the New Technology building."

"Will we be able to see him? It is of desperate importance," Hans explained, he glanced discreetly at Sam and back at the receptionist, hoping she caught his drift. The woman frowned in incomprehension. She looked more carefully at Sam, who apparently still wasn't paying attention to the details of their conversation, and took in her short blonde hair. That, in itself, struck her as odd. Frosya deeply frowned upon women who endorsed what were seen to be men's work, styles and attire. In fact, they were usually shunned by Frosyan society altogether, and it was then that she realised just who this blonde woman was. Her mouth formed a quiet 'o' in final understanding. This was the woman the Council had been talking about for days.

Looking back at Hans, she smiled, "Yes of course. I'm sure I can arrange some sort of passage into the building for you. Please wait just a moment," sliding out of her chair, she walked across the hall and disappeared down the right corridor.

Hans turned back to Sam and smiled. Sam returned the smile, "It's a very nice building," she said, "but I'm intrigued as to why you thought bringing me here would help."

For a brief moment, Sam swore she saw something akin to suspicion glisten in his eyes, but it was soon replaced by his usual neutral expression. Sam silently breathed a sigh of relief; her own suspicions had very nearly seeped out along with her words. She needed to be more careful.

"Most visitors," Hans said, "first visit the Council's headquarters when they arrive here in Frosya. It is likely that you have been here before."

Sam nodded, "It does seem familiar," she said carefully, "but I don't remember being here."

"Familiarity is a start," Hans replied. The sound of shoes on the polished surface ended their conversation as they turned back around to see the receptionist approaching with a sheet of white paper flapping in her hands. Sitting back in her chair, she handed the paper over to Hans, "this should allow you entrance."

"Thank you."

"Have a nice day," she smiled at Hans; her beam was even wider for Sam. There seemed to be so much open regard and wonder in the woman's eyes, Sam felt slightly off kilter. She shrugged the feeling off and turned back to Hans.

"Where are we going now?" she asked.

"To see a friend," Hans said, "I am sure he will be able to help."

'I'm sure he will,' Sam mused silently, picturing Toron, the scientist who had had a lot to do with her current predicament. It was best just to go along with Hans for the moment though, and with that thought, she stepped out of the double front doors and into the fresh air again. This was going to be interesting.

"Well it seems to appear that on this occasion, Daniel, you were wrong," Jack smiled obviously revelling in the fact. It wasn't often Daniel was wrong. Teal'c being the gentleman that he was said nothing as they walked down the dirt track towards the familiar little farmhouse.

The farmyard was filled with the usual scents and noises associated with farmyard animals, and Jack had to do his best from wrinkling up his nose in disgust as they passed the pig pen.

The old wooden door to the farmhouse was open and as they drew closer, they were able to clearly make out the details of the blonde woman standing with a huge smile plastered on her face. It wasn't until they were face to face that Jack noticed her smile didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Colonel O'Neill, Daniel Jackson, Teal'c," she beamed, "This is a nice surprise! What brings you back to Frosya?"

Jack offered a tentative smile, "Uh, we're afraid something's happened and we were wondering if you could answer a few of our questions."

The smile dropped from Amara's face, her whole body becoming unwillingly frigid, "This does not sound like good news. You had better come in," she said standing aside and guiding the three men into her humble abode.

"Please sit down," Amara gestured to the four chairs surrounding the table as they walked into the front room. Each of the men took their seats as Amara sat down at the head of the table opposite the Colonel.

"What has happened and where is Major Carter?"

Jack frowned, "Well uh it's about Major Carter. She's missing."

"Missing?" repeated Amara, confusion written all over her face, "I am sorry but I do not understand. If she is missing, should you not be on Earth searching for her?"

Daniel stepped in, "She didn't return through the Stargate with us. There was an accident, and we thought she was dead, but we now have reason to believe that she's still alive somewhere here on Frosya."

"And you are wondering if we have seen her?" asked Amara.

"That is correct," Teal'c answered.

Amara shook her head, the planes of her face etched with shock and sadness, "I am so very sorry, but no, we have not." She looked up at the three men. Daniel was staring avidly at the table, his attempts to hide his disappointment failing. Teal'c's expression remained impassive but what nearly through her cover story off course was the Colonel's steely gaze focussed solely on her. She shifted under the intense scrutiny. There were no faults in her story and they could not truly suspect her without solid evidence but something about the Colonel's stare told her that she was still very much on his radar.

She smiled briefly at them, "Major Carter is an intelligent and resourceful woman, I am sure that if she were to be lost, it will not be long before she finds her way back to you. Now," she said standing up, "You look very hungry and tired from your searching. I shall bring you some food to eat."

"Thank you but that's not necessary," Jack said too getting up from his seat.

"Nonsense," Amara replied, "You cannot help Major Carter with empty stomachs. Please sit down."

Jack acquiesced reluctantly, but his gaze never wavered from the woman's back as she walked into her little kitchen. Once she had disappeared, he turned to his fellow team mates and whispered,

"She's hiding something."

"Jack?" Daniel whispered back, "Why would she do that?"

"Who knows? But I know she's lying."

"I concur," Teal'c added, "She does not appear to be trustworthy."

Jack got up again, his eyes still on the kitchen door.

"Where are you going?" Daniel whispered.

"To have a look around."

"You can't do that," Daniel sounded offended, "It's rude, she's just allowed you into her home, she's making you something to eat and you're going to go snooping around her home. Look, all I'm saying is maybe we should just keep asking questions."

"I do not believe she will tell us anything of value, Dr Jackson," Teal'c said.

Daniel looked at both men and sighed, "Fine, 'you went to the bathroom'."

Jack nodded before creeping out of the room into the small corridor leading to the bedrooms.

Daniel turned his head gravely back to the wooden dining table muttering incomprehensibly under his breath. Teal'c merely shot him a puzzled glance; both eyebrows raised and his head tilted slightly to the side. "Ignore me," Daniel said, and for a moment Teal'c did just that.

"Samantha, this is Toron. Chief scientist and also my good friend," Hans introduced the dark haired man standing in front of her with his hand outstretched. He was smiling in a friendly manner and Sam couldn't help but search for any signs of recognition behind his brown eyes. She found none. It was as if they really were meeting for the first time; and it only disturbed her further.

Reaching out, she gave his hand one short shake and returned the smile, "Nice to meet you."

Toron invited them both to sit down on the stools that lined his workbench, "I do apologise for the mess of my laboratory. We scientists have little time to ensure order in our surroundings when science is wreaking chaos in the depths of our minds."

Sam very nearly nodded her head in agreement but stopped herself just in time. "Now," Toron started, looking directly at Sam, "Hans has informed me about your accident and the memory loss that resulted from it. He believed I may be able to help you."

"And can you?" Sam asked.

"I'm afraid that it depends on the nature of your memory loss. I know of ways to trigger suppressed memories but you have to be willing to participate. And it is my duty to tell you that the side effects of such treatment often have serious consequences."

"What kind of consequences?"

"The drugs may interfere with your normal brain functioning, which in at least one trial led to irreparable neurological damage. The drugs will be administered by way of a specialised injecting machine."

Sam didn't even realise she was doing it, but her eyes instantly scanned the room for the oddly designed device. Her mistake wasn't realised until she heard Toron speak again. His voice was eerily calm, "However, I cannot help you remember that which you have already remembered."

Sam's eyes locked on to his; wide in shock, she realised he was smiling at her. But it lacked the warmth and brilliance of the scientist she had met all those weeks ago. The man in front of her had the face of a mad man, who too was embroiled in this conspiracy. A short silence expanded between the two scientists, as Sam urged her brain to think, to get herself out of this mess. But for all the times her usually overworked yet reliable brain decided not to do the one thing it was conditioned to do, had to be now.

"I'm sorry," Sam finally answered, "But I'm not quite sure what you mean by that?"

"Oh I think you do, Major Samantha Carter." Toron answered standing up.

"How-"

"How do I know your full name?" Toron supplied, "I think you know."

"Do you mean she remembers everything?" Hans spoke up, excitement bursting from his words.

"Not everything, but enough."

"How do you know?" Hans asked.

Toron smiled, "Although your acting skills are commendable Major," he turned to Sam, "I am naturally gifted in spotting lies that are hidden in even the most tangled of webs. That is how I know."

"What do you want with me?" Sam asked through gritted teeth. Her game plan had been shredded to pieces. There was nothing left for her to do for the time being apart from letting events unravel and sitting back and reluctantly taking part. Until she came up with another plan of course.

"Nothing as sinister as you expect I assure you that Major," Toron said.

Sam let out a derogatory scoff, "Right, because drugging me can't possibly be construed as a sinister and hostile act?"

"Yes it is a shame we had had to resort to that but there was no other way."

"No other way for what?" Sam snapped, understandably she was now teetering the edge of sheer irritation and annoyance at the lack of answers to her fountain of questions. "What the hell do you want from me?"

It was Hans this time, who answered her, "Your help," was the simple answer.

"My help," Sam repeated disbelievingly, "With what?"

"The war."

"Against the Goa'uld?"

"We cannot answer any further questions. Only our Lord will answer them for you."

"Right," Sam muttered under her breath, "Well can you please take me to him?"

Hans nodded, "Follow me."

Sam followed silently, with Toron not too far behind.

"He's just gone to the bathroom," Daniel lied convincingly but Amara looked far from convinced.

"He has been in the bathroom for far longer than is normal. Are you sure he is alright?"

"Oh yeah," Daniel shrugged, "Don't worry about Jack. He always takes forever. You know, before we came through the Stargate, we had to wait nearly an hour for him to get ready . . . okay, maybe that's an exaggeration . . ." Daniel was well and truly babbling now and it wasn't helping to ease Amara's suspicions either.

"Maybe I should see if he is ok?" Amara said getting up.

"No!" Daniel almost yelled, "I mean no, that's probably not a good idea."

His words fell on deaf ears as Amara ignoring both Daniel and Teal'c moved away from the table towards the door. She was however beaten to it as the door suddenly flung open. Stood there, was a murderous looking Colonel Jack O'Neill. His face was contorted into the most controlled of rages Daniel had ever seen. Every line on his face emanated hatred and anger as his gaze latched on to Amara in a fierce death grip,

"Where is she?" It wasn't a yell, a shout or a bellow but deceptively calm. The message was clear, 'stop lying and start telling the truth, or else.'

Amara matched the Colonel's glare with as much venom, "I do not know what you are talking about, now if you do not mind, I do not appreciate being-"

She was cut short, "Now if you don't mind," Jack repeated, "I don't appreciate being taken for a fool."

Reaching behind his back he brought out an item that was so utterly familiar to them all, Amara's eyes widened in fear.

"So I'll ask you again, where is she?"

Dangling from Jack's hand was a khaki green army jacket. It was torn beyond repair and barely recognisable except for a circular emblem stitched on the sleeve that proudly represented the planet that was Earth. It was Sam's, which only meant one thing: she had been here.

A/N 2: Please review, even if it's to say good, bad, like it, hate it. Also massive thank you to those who've reviewed and are reviewing, I really really appreciate it, so thanks!

SmilinStar xxx