Revelations - part 14
Here's the fourteenth chapter. I hope you like it. Please review. Please?
When Sam awoke, the first thing she remembered was her sister. She sat up quickly and called Lauren's name, only to feel Jack's comforting hand on her shoulder.
"It's alright. Lauren's asleep. Adam's watching her." Jack told her soothingly. Sam sighed and leaned back against her pillows.
"How long was I asleep?" She asked.
"About 4 hours. Daniel and I told Hammond everything. Everything's gonna be fine." He stroked her hair gently, willing her not to remember too quickly . . .
"Oh God, my team . . ." Sam moaned. Jack closed his eyes briefly, hurting for her.
"They're in the morgue. The Doc says you can see them if you'd like." Sam nodded and swung her legs off of the bed, taking Jack's steadying hand as she stood up, still feeling the effects of the sedative.
The morgue was dark and candle-lit, casting an oddly ethereal look over the faces of SG-2. Sam stood numbly in the doorway, unwilling to accept that this was her team, dead. She slowly entered, leaving Jack at the doorway, and went to each one of the men in turn, saying a silent goodbye to them individually. She finished at Major Ward, and stayed standing there, staring at his lifeless face. Jack approached her and rubbed her back supportively.
"I know there isn't anything I can say . . ." He trailed off, feeling useless.
"Have their families been told?" Sam asked quietly.
"Not yet." Jack replied. "Hammond wanted to talk to you first." Sam nodded, and after softly kissing Major Ward's forehead, she left. Jack didn't follow. He knew where she was going, and that he couldn't help her any more.
Hammond looked up as Colonel Carter appeared at his door. She looked terrible.
"Colonel, come in, have a seat." Sam sat down in the chair opposite his desk, and waited for him to ask the question.
"How are you feeling?" Hammond asked, wincing as he realised what a stupid question that was.
"Coping, sir." Sam responded, military wall firmly in place. "Colonel O'Neill says you wanted to talk to me before informing their families." It was obvious who she meant.
"Yes." Hammond confirmed. He looked at the tired Colonel sadly. "I'm sorry, Colonel, I know what it's like to lose people under your command, and there is no easy way to deal with it, or to do this next part. I'm going to call the next of kin of each of them, and I wanted to ask if there was anything you'd like me to say."
Sam looked at her hands. "You mean besides the fact that they were all wonderful people, excellent soldiers and good friends?"
Hammond nodded. "That's what I thought. I'm going to call them now, and I don't think you should be here for it."
"Sir?"
"It will be very difficult Sam, and you don't need to put yourself through that." He explained.
"I should be here. They were my responsibility." She said quietly. Hammond looked worried.
"Don't blame yourself. There was nothing you could have done, and you know that." He said slowly and sincerely. Sam stood up numbly.
"Was there anything else sir?"
Hammond sighed. "No."
"Thank you sir." She quickly left, and walked straight into the arms of Jack, who was waiting in the corridor.
Meanwhile, in the infirmary, Daniel and Adam were sitting with Lauren. She was feigning sleep, hoping to put off dealing with the inevitable 'are you okay'/ 'how are you feeling' questions. She loved them both to bits, but she didn't think she could face anyone's pity right now.
However, her act was ruined when the klaxons blared unexpectedly, making her flinch. Adam noticed it immediately, and squeezed her hand.
"Hey sleepy, how are –"
"Don't finish that sentence." Lauren cut him off, sitting up wearily. "I'm fine."
She looked sideways to the bed she knew Sam had been sleeping in, surprised to see it vacant.
"Where's Sam?"
"Jack took her to see her team." Daniel said quietly. Lauren sighed.
"How is she?"
"God only knows. Something tells me she's gonna have a lot of trouble with this."
"Well at least she has us. We can help her." She said resolutely. Adam gave her a tight smile.
"And what about you?" He asked gently. Lauren tried to glare at him for asking, but couldn't quite do it. She knew he was still pretty upset about what he'd seen.
"I'll be fine. It's nothing I haven't coped with before."
"Lauren –"
"Doctor Jackson to the Gateroom." The intercom cut in harshly. Daniel gave Lauren's hand a squeeze, and got up.
"I'll be back later." He told them with a small smile, leaving the young two alone.
Daniel entered the Gateroom to find one very irate Tok'ra on the ramp.
"What the hell happened, Daniel?" A familiar voice barked.
Daniel sighed. "Jacob. Thanks for coming."
Da . . . da da da . . . DAAAAAAA! How will Jacob react? Find out very soon . . .
plus: please please please review! I'm getting withdrawal symptoms form lack of feedback!
Beka ;-)