12 – Not Jennifer
SGC
Colonel Cameron Mitchell was slouched in his chair in the theater above the isolation room. He'd chosen a chair furthest from the door to avoid those coming and going. It wasn't that he was being anti-social, he just didn't wish to have people walking in front of him each time they entered or left the room. His team was settled near him, conversations ebbing and flowing around him.
His concentration had been on Jennifer for quite a while, her face and body completely relaxed on the bed below. If Cameron squinted his eyes slightly he could almost block out the restraints about her wrists and ankles, as well as, all the medical staff and equipment about her and the Marines posted at the door.
Jenn appeared to be peacefully slumbering, all cares at bay. Cameron dreaded her waking up, knowing that most likely… it wouldn't be his Jennifer looking back at him, there'd be no recognition or love in her eyes.
Mitchell closed his own eyes and leaned his head against the wall to his right, letting himself drift. He pictured in his mind another time he'd watched her sleep, her appearance at peace…
Mitchell couldn't help but smile as he pulled into his parking spot at his off-base apartment. There was a soft, low glow coming from the shuddered window of his living room and he knew Jennifer had left a light on for him. It was one of the many small ways his life had changed once Jennifer had transferred from Atlantis to the SGC and invaded his personal space less than eight months ago.
He hadn't even realized what was missing from his life until she was already filling it. This was just one of the ways. Before her transfer he would've slept on base after returning from a mission so late, but the need to see her, to sleep next to her pulled at him. After making the short trek home he'd typically find her waiting up for him, or like tonight, a light would be left on to greet him.
Cameron got out of his car and entered his apartment, shutting the door quietly behind him. He set the few things he was carrying on the kitchen table and moved to the doorway leading into the living room. His eyes swung to the lamp near the window, but his gaze was captured by the woman asleep, curled up in an oversized chair next to the lamp.
Cam felt the tightness in his chest he knew was caused by the woman who'd obviously tried to wait up for him, a book open in her lap. He watched her for a few minutes, taking in her beauty before moving to their bedroom to ready himself for bed.
He showered as quickly as possible, not wanting Jennifer to sleep long in the chair, but he also wanted to be able to slide into the bed with her when he did carry her to their bed. He slipped a pair of lounge pants on and moved to turn down the bed covers in preparation of retrieving her. His eyes strayed to the bedside alarm and he sat on the bed to set it for morning. When finished his eyes wandered to the drawer in the bedside table and he slid it open, reaching to the very back. He pulled out a small velvet box that held the engagement ring he'd purchased for Jennifer.
With her dad's blessing already given after a nervous phone call a couple of weeks ago, it was just a matter of timing and a plan, that kept it hidden in the drawer. He knew she'd say yes, the thought she'd say no never crossed his mind. He'd never been more sure of anything in his life, but figuring out the time and place had him rattled. He grinned looking down at the ring, he couldn't wait to see it upon her finger everyday. A constant reminder that she was his. He looked at his own 'ring' finger wondering how hard it would be to get used to wearing one himself.
Cameron shut the lid of the box and began to return the ring to his night stand. An anxious feeling began to roll through his chest before the thought had fully developed in his mind. He stood with the ring and walked toward the living room. What was he waiting for? A moment when he felt overwhelmed by his love for her? That was exactly how he felt now as he prepared to carry Jenn to bed.
He knelt down in front of her, bringing himself to eye level with Jennifer. "Sweetheart," he called quietly, touching her arm. Remembering that she was a sleeping doctor and that they were trained to sleep through almost anything, he tried the proven method of waking her. "Doctor Keller," he called again quietly.
She opened her eyes slowly and smiled, focusing on him. "You made it home," she said, taking a deep breath.
The word 'home' from her lips cinched the deal for him. "Yes I did. You didn't have to wait up for me," he admonished softly.
"Wanted to," she responded with a grin, obviously becoming more awake. "You going to carry me to bed?" she asked with mischief shining from her sleepy eyes.
Cameron smirked at her, "A little patience doctor." She gave a little pout, but he continued. "So, I was thinking a couple weeks ago…" he gave her a little glare when her smile became a smirk, daring her to complete the thought behind the smirk, "there's a kissing tradition that we've not gotten around to yet. And you know me…"
"You're a man of tradition," she grinned at him while rolling her eyes.
"As much as one can be while stepping through Stargates for a living," he grinned back before continuing. "The kissing tradition in question requires a few hoops to be jumped through. I already cleared one hoop, but now it's time for the next of many hoops."
Jennifer looked expectantly at him, curiosity in her expression. Cameron reached for the box on the floor by his knee, out of her line of vision, and removed the ring. He took a deep breath to calm his anticipation.
"Will you marry me, Jennifer?" he asked as he brought the ring into view.
He heard her breath catch just before her smile took over her face, "Cameron… yes. Of course I will." She sat up and threw her arms around Cam's neck and hugged him so tight. "I love you, Cam."
"I love you, Jenn," he said as he pulled back from her embrace. He held up the ring and got a nod from her, before sliding it on her finger, the feelings of permanence and belonging racing through him were overwhelming, but good. Cam leaned in and kissed her soundly, hoping to convey even an ounce of the love and happiness he was feeling through the kiss. As they pulled apart, he noticed her watery eyes, but her smile was incredible.
"Now are you going to carry me to bed?" she teased.
"Yes ma'am," he began with a drawl, "I was fixin' to." Her laugh as he swung her into his arms was a direct reflection of his own emotions.
"Is he asleep," Mitchell heard after the door to the theater room opened and closed.
"No, I'm awake," he said on a sigh as he straightened and stood, stretching some of the kinks out of his back.
"We're done with all the tests," Dr. Lam began as Mitchell made his way over to her.
Cameron was a little surprised to see Colonel Dixon sitting amongst his team and realized he must have been pretty lost in his thoughts to miss his arrival. He gave the Colonel a nod as he crossed the room to where Lam was standing. He felt his team gather behind him, but his attention was focused on the good doctor.
"The scans and blood tests came back clean," Dr. Lam conveyed in her typical professional manner. "The DNA says it is indeed Jennifer. My team and I have gone over all her missions since she transferred to the SGC ten months ago and can find nothing of significance. We will be waking her up in just a couple of minutes." Her voice softened, "I'm sorry, Colonel."
Cameron nodded at her solemnly, "Can I be there?"
"Yes, but Colonel I have to warn you that it might not be Jennifer that wakes up." Carolyn saw his nod, but hoped he understood completely. She nodded to the team standing behind him silently agreeing they could join him.
"She is awake, Colonel Mitchell," Teal'c quietly stated, standing near Mitchell and across the bed from Dr. Lam who was also waiting for Dr. Keller to awaken.
Cameron realized that her playing possum wasn't a good sign. "Jennifer," he called to her, wanting to get past this part and start working on the solution. "We know you're awake," he said with resignation.
They watched her open her eyes and look around, more defiance than fear in her perusal.
"Jennifer," Dr. Lam began, "do you know where you are?"
The woman lying on the bed tested the restraints before answering, "No. Who are you people? What do you want with me?"
"Only to help," Lam assured her. "What do you remember?"
Cam had to give her kudos, she did a good job of looking around as if lost, "Atlantis, Rodney and Zelenka… where are they?"
"They aren't here right now." Dr. Lam shared a look of worry and complete confusion with Mitchell. "Who is the leader of Atlantis?"
"Woosey," she replied hesitantly.
"Woolsey," Lam corrected. "Do you remember anything after Atlantis?"
Jennifer fought with her restraints for a moment before looking back at the doctor. "I want to go home." When no one immediately said anything she impatiently added, "Now. Send me back to Atlantis now."
"Ummm," Lam began.
"Dr. Lam," the Mitchell interrupted, "a word." He nodded toward the hallway.
Carolyn glanced one more time at Jennifer then turned and followed Cam out of the room.
"What do you think?" Cameron asked.
"Well, I wasn't expecting this," she said with a shake of her head. "At first I'd guess amnesia, but…" Carolyn trailed off with a tilt of her head to the side.
"I know," Cam said in frustration. "She should remember me… and you as well if she can remember Woolsey. We could start asking her questions but I don't know if we want her to realize we don't believe her."
"Colonel, the girl is tied to a bed, I think she may have figured that part out already," Lam replied with a wry grin.
"But Atlantis?" Cameron shook his head and began to pace. "What's going on?"
"Well… let's say this is a Pegasus problem," Lam suggested. "What are we talking about? Replicators? Nanites? We check for those because they're a Milky Way hazard as well. What does that leave us with? Wraith? They don't have possession in their bag of tricks as far as I know. A rogue Asgard, they could very well be extinct, but if not, they don't use possession either."
"Yeah, but what about a clone?" Mitchell suggested, stopping and running a hand over the back of his neck in annoyance. "Carson's a clone."
"Wouldn't explain her spotty memory. Carson remembered all of his past up to a specific moment," the doctor reminded him. "He truly thought he was the Carson Beckett, but I'll run the test anyway."
"I don't want her to be a clone and quite frankly can't see how she could be a clone. She remembered me until very early this morning. Was it really only earlier today?"
Carolyn knew Mitchell was talking more to himself than her, but she commented anyway, feeling the need to comfort if she could. "It wouldn't explain the dreams either."
"That is a very odd, but important part," he agreed absently. "We need to brief Landry and contact Atlantis. Maybe they have some ideas."
Carolyn could almost see the wheels turning and knew she was no longer needed. "I'll just go run that test."
"Thank you Dr. Lam," Cameron said sincerely, halting her move to leave. "She probably needs to remain restrained."
"Don't worry Colonel Mitchell, I'll take good care of your girl." Carolyn gave him a reassuring smile before turning and heading back into the infirmary.
Cameron turned in the opposite direction and headed toward General Landry's office, anxious to dial Atlantis for help.
