Falling in love with my best friend
It has been a month since me and Paul finally talked about that night, and well something unexpected happened, part of me was hoping it wasnt true. I sat at my desk looking at a piece of paper in front of me when I heard a knock on my door, I look up and saw Sam standing there.
"Hey wanna get some lunch?" She asked.
"Um...yeah sure."
"Are you okay?" She asked sitting down, I handed her the piece of paper, "Is this? Are you?"
"According to that yeah" I sighed, "I'm pregnant."
"But you and Major Davis slept together..."
"A month ago, and I'm late which I never am." I put my head in my hands, "What am I gonna do Sam? I cant be pregnant, especially by Paul." I said, I told Sam what happened on the sub and what Paul said, Sam has always been there for me, it's nice to have another girl to talk to, she understood the reason why I had to end things with Paul.
"You should tell him, if anything he has the right to know." She said and I nodded my head, "Come on let's go get some lunch." Me and her got up and may our way down the hall when Jonas stopped us.
"Hey guys you might wanna see this." He said and we went into his office.
On a television screen in Jonas's office, a female reporter stands outside the Washington hotel where Kinsey was shot. "Live Report" is written on the screen below her.
"The assassination of Senator Kinsey has sent shockwaves through Washington. With his party's national convention just weeks away, the Senator was considered by many to be their most likely choice for the second spot on the presidential ticket."
Me, Jonas, Carter, and Teal'c all surround the television, watching the news when Jack walks in, he is wearing casual, civilian clothes and looks relaxed.
"Political maneuvering has already…" The reporter continued
"Hey. I'm back. What'd I miss?" He asked
Sam mutes the television with the remote and stands, "Sir, Senator Kinsey is dead. He was shot."
"What?" Jack asked shocked
"Yeah. It's been all over the news for three days." Jonas said
"I've been on vacation." Jack said
"It looks like it was a professional hit. The shooter took him out from a hotel room across the street and then just disappeared." I said
"Any suspects?"
"Police aren't saying anything." Sam said
"It is reasonable to assume that a man in Senator Kinsey's position would have a great many enemies." Teal'c said
Jack is about to speak, but is interrupted by Hammond entering, flanked by two SFs, "Colonel?"
"General?" Jack asked
"I'm sorry to have to do this, but these men are here to escort you to Peterson. From there you'll be flown to Andrews and then turned over to the civilian authorities in Washington." Hammond said
"Sir, what is this?" Sam asked
"Colonel O'Neill is under arrest for the murder of Senator Kinsey." Hammond said
"What!?" Jack asked shocked
"You'll have to come with us, sir." one of the SF's said
"I don't think so." Jack said indigently
"Colonel…"
"General, I've been on vacation!" Jack urged
"I believe you, Jack. But for the moment, we're going to have to cooperate." Hammond said and Jack was escorted out by the SF's
We follow general Hammond to the briefing room, "There's no way Colonel O'Neill could've done this." Sam said
"I'm aware of that, Major, but my hands are tied." Hammond said
"How could they possibly think that he was responsible? He wasn't even in Washington!" Jonas said and we got to the top of the stairs.
"Actually, it looks like he was." Paul said, Oh crap
"Major Davis is acting as liaison between the Pentagon and the District Attorney. He has a report for us. Major?" Hammond asked
"Thank you, sir."
Hammond and the rest take seats around the briefing room table. Paul clicks the remote, and black and white surveillance footage starts running on the screen.
"This was taken from a security camera in a hotel across the street from where the shooting occurred just a couple of minutes after it happened." He said and the video displays a familiar figure moving down the building stairwell. Paul pauses the video when there is a clear image of the assassin's face. It shows Jack, "Now, the trajectory of the bullet indicates that the shot did in fact come from this hotel."
"That doesn't prove anything." Jonas said
"No, but based on this evidence, the FBI obtained warrants to search both the Colonel's house…and his cabin. Now, they didn't find anything, but one of the neighbors told them that they saw Colonel O'Neill dumping something down by the lake. They sent down a diver, who came up with this." Paul opens a file and hands Hammond who hands it to Sam and we pass it along, it's an 8x10 photograph of a case and dismantled rifle, "Ballistics match it with the bullet that killed Senator Kinsey. I don't know what else to say, sir. Certainly no secret that there was bad blood between them."
"Oh, come on. They had a few run-ins. That's hardly a motive for murder." I said
"Okay, I've read the file on Kinsey, but it is a little vague."
"The Senator was involved with a group of individuals who were unhappy with the way Stargate Command was being run."
"They tried to blackmail General Hammond into resigning. Colonel O'Neill found evidence connecting Kinsey to their illegal activities and threatened to go public with it unless he got them to back off." Sam said
"So, technically, Kinsey was protecting the SGC." Jonas said
"True, but I don't think he was very happy about it."
"Still, that's not a motive to kill the guy; that's a motive to keep him alive!" Jonas said
"Unfortunately, we can divulge none of this information to the civilian authorities." Teal'c said and Jonas sighs and shakes his head.
"Senator Kinsey was shot in broad daylight on a public street in front of dozens of civilian witnesses. If we tried to ship this to a military court, it would be a political disaster for the current administration." Hammond said
"With all due respect, sir, the "current administration" owes a lot to the Colonel." I said
"I'm aware of that, Doctor, as is the President. Unfortunately, there's nothing he can do for Colonel O'Neill at this time. On the other hand, I'm not a politician, which is why I'm suspending SG-1's offworld duties and assigning the three of you to get to the bottom of this. You have the full resources of this command at your disposal."
"Thank you, sir." Sam said
"Dismissed." Hammond told us and we got up and left.
Teal'c, Jonas and I are waiting in a visiting room. A door buzzes open and a shackled Jack is led in by SFs.
"Colonel." Jonas said and Jack gives a small humorless smile and continues in. The guards exit, "How are you…doing?" Jonas asked
"I'm accused of a murder I didn't commit. How do you think I'm "doing"?" Jack said and takes a seat at the table and we sit across from him.
"When are you supposed to get transferred to Washington?" I asked
"Couple of days."
"General Hammond has suspended our offworld duties in order that we may investigate this situation further." Teal'c told him and Jack nods
"Unfortunately, it's not going very well." Jonas said
"There is evidence that places you at the scene of the shooting." I said
"I was fishing!" Jack said forcefully, "Look, Kinsey wasn't exactly my best buddy, and on occasion, I felt like beating the crap out of him, but I didn't kill him."
"They…somehow have a video that clearly places you in Washington, D.C. three days ago." Jonas told him
"I don't believe this." Jack muttered shaking his head
"We know you've been on secret missions before. We're not always privy to the details—" Jonas said
"I wasn't on a mission, Jonas. I was in Minnesota! On vacation!" Jack interupted
"Did you encounter anyone that could verify your story?" Teal'c asked
"I was twenty miles away from the closest town. Alone. That was the point!"
We three exchange looks, "Perhaps this is all part of an elaborate plan, and those responsible chose to act at a time when they knew you would have no alibi." Teal'c pointed out.
Later back at the SGC we sat in the briefing room, "I checked the videotape to see if it had been doctored, but it appears to be genuine."
"So either that really is Colonel O'Neill, or someone who happens to look exactly like him." Jonas said
"We have encountered duplicating technology before." Teal'c said
"I was thinking the exact same thing, but those mimic devices are under heavy guard." Sam said
"Mimic devices? Someone want to fill me in?" Jonas asked confused
Me, Sam and Teal'c look to Hammond. He sighs and turns back to Jonas, "Three years ago, we had a foothold situation here at the SGC. Aliens gained control by using mimic devices to impersonate and replace base personnel, including myself."
"Why haven't I heard about this before?" Jonas asked
"Because of the seriousness of the security breach, a decision was made to erase all mention of the incident from official records." Hammond said
Jonas nods and takes in this information, "Well, where are these devices now?"
"Area 51." Sam said
Sam returns from the prison after seeing Jack, appearently the devices were switched with fakes, we were gathered in Jonas's office. Jonas holds up a mimic device while me , Sam, and Teal'c stand across the counter from him.
"So, how do these things work?" Jonas asked
"Well, it's a two part process. First you take somebody and pass them through a large scanning device, which then uploads their exact image into a holographic sequencer." Sam said
"Which looks like this." Jonas said holding the device
"Exactly. Then you place that sequencer somewhere on your body and activate it. You instantly take on the appearance of the person you scanned."
"Was the scanning device taken?" I asked
"No, it's still at Area 51. We checked it out." Sam said
"So, whoever did this can only impersonate a limited number of people." Jonas said
"Twelve, to be precise, including Colonel O'Neill, Kate, and Daniel." Sam said and I looked at her, what I wouldnt give to see that face again.
"What about General Hammond?" Jonas asked
"The alien impersonating him was trapped in the Gate room along with several others. They activated some kind self-destruct and blew themselves up. In case you're wondering, Teal'c and I were never scanned." Sam told him
"That's good to know."
"I requested all the personnel files on everyone who had access to these devices. I'd like the two of you to check them out." Sam said and Teal'c nods.
"What about you?" Jonas asked
"Me and Kate are going to Washington. I need to look up an old acquaintance."
Sam and I headed to Washington and when we landed we got a cab to bring us to Agent Barrett's office, on the way there I was looking out the window.
"You know Major Davis is back here in Washington." Sam said.
"So?" I asked looking at her.
"So, maybe you should pay him a visit."
"Sam, we are important mission for Colonel O'Neill, my personal life cant get in the way of that." I said.
"He deserves to know Kate." Sam said.
"Sam for all I know that test could have been a false positive, I havent been feeling any symptoms at all. I could be late due to stress, we've had a lot going on lately." I said and she looked at me.
"So what happens if you actually are pregnant?"
"Then I will tell him." I said and she dropped the subject as we got to our destination.
Me and Sam approached a woman at a desk outside Agent Barrett's office, "I'm Major Carter this is Dr. Kate Smith. We're here to see Agent Barrett."
The woman leads us to his office, "Major Carter. I was wondering how long it would be before you came by. Welcome to NID headquarters." He said and looked at me, "You must be Dr. Kate Smith."
"I am" I said and Sam tells him everything that's going on.
"What exactly are you implying here, Major? That the NID had a hand in the assassination of a U.S. Senator?" He asked her
"Very few organizations have the resources to pull off something like this." She said
"And the man accused of the crime happens to belong to one of them."
"The SGC is not behind this." I said
"Senator Kinsey was no friend of the Stargate Command. In fact, he tried to take you down more than once." Barrett told us
"We don't engage in criminal activity, Agent Barrett, which is more than I can say for the NID." Sam said
"If you're referring to the Prometheus incident, that was orchestrated by a handful of rogue agents."
"What about Steveston, Oregon? You sat by and watched while the Goa'uld took over an entire town of innocent civilians." I told him
"That was an officially sanctioned operation…that would've succeeded if it wasn't for your interference."
"Are you kidding me!? Your agents were compromised, and your organization was about to be infiltrated!" Sam said frustrated
Barrett reaches over and takes a small piece of notepaper. He begins to write on it while continuing to speak to her. "Look, Major, the videotape of Colonel O'Neill clearly places him at the scene of the crime. And the murder weapon was found near his cabin. So, if you'll excuse me…" Barrett slides the note over to Sam and I, on it he has written: "Stanton Park 3 PM". We look at the note, then back at Barrett, "…I've got work to do."
Sam nods in acknowledgment, then we leave.
Barrett sits on a park bench, reading a newspaper. Sam, now dressed in casual clothes, approaches and sits next to him, I'm sitting in a rental car near them watching as they have a conversation. Just then my phone rings, I see that it's Paul, I ignore it and go back to watching them. Some time passes, and now Barrett and Sam are walking through the park.
Me, Sam and Barrett drive the rental car to a warehouse, I turn off the ignition and Sam turns to Barrett.
"Okay…what is this?" She asked
"The rifle used to kill Senator Kinsey was not the kind of thing you could pick up at your local sporting goods' store. This is a one stop shop for unregistered weapons. High-end merchandise, professional clientele. There's a good chance our shooter was here."
We exit the car and head towards the door, "If you know they're selling illegal guns, why don't you shut them down?" I asked
"I allow them to operate in exchange for information. Sometimes, you've gotta cross the line, Doctor. You've just gotta know when to step back." He said and waves to a security camera outside the warehouse and we continue walking.
Inside the warehouse a well muscled man opens the door for us, "Hey, Leo." Barrett says.
"Leo." Sam says
We enter the warehouse, filled with various munitions and military style hardware. Against the back wall are several targets. They and the wall show evidence of several practice firings. Several other well muscled men stand guard throughout the warehouse. We walk towards a desk and take seats. Barrett is calm, but Me and Sam are wary. The munitions dealer, Luthor, is already seated behind it.
"Agent Barrett. When are you going to get yourself a new suit?" He asked
"Black is good for any occasion."
"Yeah, it's also thinning. Who are your friends?" He asked looking at me and Sam.
"Major Samantha Carter, United States Air Force."
"Dr. Kate Smith, civilian."
"We can talk in front of them." Barrett tells him
"What can I do for you?"
"We want to know about a 700 with a customized break down stock." Barrett said
"Yeah? I moved one last week."
"Well, in all likelihood, the weapon you sold was used to assassinate a United States Senator." Sam said
"What's your point?" Luthor asked
"Was the buyer a regular customer?" Barrett asked
"Nah, I never seen him before."
Barrett pulls out a picture from his coat. It is the surveillance camera footage showing Jack in the hotel stairwell, "Is that the guy?"
"That's the guy."
Sam closes her eyes. Barrett looks over at her expectantly. Sam looks away, "Did he look at any other weapons besides the 700?" She asked
"Yeah, as a matter of fact, he did." Luthor said and nods to Leo, who picks up a weapon from its display mount.
"A sound-suppressed revolver rifle."
"Did he handle it?" I asked
"Sure."
"Was he wearing gloves?" Sam asked him
Luthor smiles and shakes his head, "No."
"Has anybody handled it since?" Barrett asked
"No, just Leo here."
"How much?" Sam asked and Luthor smiles.
Back in mine and Sam's hotel room she and Barrett study a computer display comparing the partial and whole prints lifted off the rifle with those of Jack. The computer analysis concludes with no match for either print.
"There's one full set of prints and one partial on the second rifle, but neither of them match Colonel O'Neill." Sam said and I came out of the bathroom
"It's a little strange." Barrett said
"Well, assuming that full set matches our friend Leo, that would mean the partial belongs to our shooter." I said
"Maybe."
"It's the best lead we have." Sam said irritated
"The shooter probably won't have a criminal record. In fact, there's a good chance he may not exist on any database at all." Barrett said
"Except maybe NID personnel files." Sam told him, Barrett looks uncomfortable. Sam turns to face him directly and shrugs, "You said it yourself, Agent Barrett. There's a cancer in your organization. Kinsey was gonna to bring them down, so they had him killed. So, did they hire an outside contractor, or use one of their own?"
Barrett looks grave, then nods towards the computer, "Give me the disk." Sam hands him a floppy disk with the information, "I'll check the files and call you in a couple hours." He starts to leave, then pauses just outside the hotel room door, "Good call, checking for a second weapon." He said to Sam
"Thanks."
"You're welcome." Barrett leaves.
I walk over and sit on my bed, my phone rings, once again it's Paul, I ignore and I see Sam giving me a look, "What?"
"Talk to him." She said and got up heading to the bathroom, I looked at my phone and picked it up. Swallowing my pride I dialed his number.
Sam headed off to meet up with Barrett and I headed to Paul's house, I got out of the cab and headed up the steps, before I could knock on the door Paul opened it.
"Kate." He said with a smile and motioned for me to come inside, "Look I'm sorry about everything that happened at the SGC I'm just doing what I was told."
"That's not why I'm here Paul." I said
"Oh well what's up?" He asked.
"Okay well I didnt want to talk to you about this until I absolutely knew for sure but Sam kept bugging me to come talk to you." I said and sighed, "I might be pregnant."
"What?" He asked
"I dont know for sure, I'm late I never am and...well I tested myself and it did come back positive but..."
"Well if it came back positive then why do you say you might be?" He asked
"Because I haven't had any symptoms yet and we have been dealing with so much at the SGC that I could be late due to stress, there is such a thing as a false positive."
He started to pace, "So what happens if you are?"
I shrugged, "I dont know, I have the baby and we can...do shared custody but that's only if I'm pregnant."
He stopped pacing and looked at me, "And what? Fly the baby back and forth from Colorado to here? How would that even work?"
"You're talking like I am."
"We have to think about that Kate, if you are pregnant this baby is going to grow up with both parents in two different states. Think about how much that will where on it." He said.
"Okay say I am, I'll ask you the same thing I asked you when we broke up, why cant you just move to Colorado Srings and work at the SGC?" I asked.
"Because my job's here."
"And my job's there." I pointed out.
"Would you really keep a job where you are a mom and go through the gate with the possibility that you could get killed off world?"
"Of course not, I would stay in the infirmary and work there." I said.
He ran his hand through his hair, "How can we know for sure if you are? Would it show up on an ultrasound?"
"Yeah, it would be small but yeah."
"Then how about we go to the hospital and confirm it?" He asked.
I sighed, "Sure, why not." I said and he grabbed his keys and we headed to the hospital, while we where on our way there my phone rang, it was Sam, "Hey Sam...what? Alright we're on our way...I'll tell you later."
"What's up?" Paul asked.
"The man that shot Kinsey is at the hospital that he's at, he's gonna finidh the job." I said.
"Hang on." Paul said and sped up and I grabbed the handle.
We get there and I swear i saw double because the man who attempted to kill Kinsey now looked like Paul, I looked at Paul and he looked at me.
"Come on this way." I said and we made our way through the hospital taking a seperate path from the other guy which led us to the basement.
As I see the guy approach the side corridor me and Paul were hiding in, I pull out my zat and shoot him, just then Sam and Barrett arrive as the collapses to the floor with a grunt. Sam and Barrett approach, Sam searches, and finds the mimic device. She takes it off, and he morphs back into his true form.
"That was slightly weird." I said and looked at Sam who looked from me to Paul.
Sam and Barrett head to infiltrate the rouge agents hideout, me and Paul headed back upstairs and I talked to a doctor about an ultrasound. I told Paul to wait outside for me, no offense to him but I would rather do this alone, as I layed down on the bed the doctor moved the wand over my stomach. I walked out the door and Paul stood up.
"Well?" He asked.
"I'm not pregnant." I said and for a moment he looked disappointed, but then he nodded his head.
"Well, what now?" He asked.
"Now I go back to Colorado Springs and get back to work, and you...look I know that everything has been a crazy mess lately, and I will always have love for you Paul, but not the same way you feel." I said and I grabbed his hands, "So please, for me, try to move on, find someone who will love you as much as you love them. I want you to be happy Paul, and I'm sorry I can't give that to you." I said.
"Okay, I'll do that, for you." He said and I pulled him into a hug.
"Be safe." I said and pulled away giving him a kiss on the cheek and walked away.
A/N: Please please please please review, I wanna know how you guys are liking this story. I dont want to sound desperate but pretty please?