AN: To Tarahondje – Happy New Year back!
To Gwyneth Valora – when are you going to update your story?
This is 6 pages long, and it better last you guys! We are approaching the climax and I have the draft chapters written, but I need to tidy them up and there is still quiet a bit of work to do. I'd rather have you guys wait and get a really good chapter, instead of updating a crappy one everyday. But as always, feel free to pelt fruit. By the way, is there any left? LOL!
22: The Waiting Game
"No! Give her back! Grace!"
"Sam! Wake up, it's only a nightmare. Sam!" She jolted awake and found herself staring into the concerned eyes of her partner; Sam couldn't help it, she burst into tears. Jack pulled her onto his chest and stroked her hair, this was third night since the attack on Evelyn and Grace and they had barely slept. Sam kept having nightmares, the girls were understandably clingy and Jack was exhausted. "Same one again?" She nodded.
"Each time I can't get to them, something is weighing me down and I can't move." She pulled away then and Jack knew she was once again going to the girls' bedroom. Looking up at the ceiling he let out a long sigh.
It's just a dream, just a dream. Everything is ok. As she entered her daughters' room Sam let out a breath and lowered herself onto the floor next to their beds. Both were sleeping soundly; Grace curled into her doll and Evelyn sprawled out on the bed, the blankets twisted every which way. Sam smiled as she set about righting them. Evelyn always slept like this, she never kept still in her sleep and Sam and Jack had been the recipient, more than once, of a flailing limb. Knowing that there was nothing else to do, Sam got worried. She didn't want to close her eyes, didn't want the dream to come again. What's more is she hadn't told Jack the whole truth; she knew very well what was weighing her down. In the dream, Sam was pregnant. And it scared the hell out of her.
"Jack, glad you could make it. How is everything?" Hammond closed the door behind him and sat down at his desk. The bags under Jack's eyes and the weary look told him not to expect an answer. "Well, there is some good news, Thor's here." With that there was a flash and Thor appeared beside Jack.
"Greetings O'Neill, I am sorry this meeting is not under better circumstances." Jack nodded. "I have just finished with Colonel Carter, it was indeed beaming technology and I can assure you it was powered from Earth. My ship is scanning the planet as we speak."
"Are we really going to find anything?" Jack was tired, too tired for this.
"I'm afraid not, the only way would be for the beam to be launched again. I had hoped this reality would be safe-"
"Don't even think about it Thor, I don't care what happens, Evelyn and Grace are staying here. With Sam and I. You're not about to go sending them off again!"
"We have already been through this O'Neill, you understand how vital it is that the girls stay out of the hands of our enemies. They must be protected at all costs." Hammond decided it was time to intervene, if Thor valued is own life.
"And they will be Thor. This isn't even negotiable. Now I believe we all have something useful to do, lets get back to it." It was the second time in a week that Jack had stormed out of the office, but turning to Thor, George got no comfort.
"This conversation is not finished General."
Jack had no idea whether Sam knew about Thor's intentions, and he sure as hell didn't feel like bringing it up now. He knew he should tell her, but Jack just couldn't. Instead he spent the day in Sam's lab, filing information, sharpening pencils and retrieving blue jello.
"Jack what are you doing?" He shrugged and went back to filing the reports Sam had typed up. She didn't know why she was still reviewing the data she'd collected from the beam; it was no different than yesterday. She reached out to lay and hand on Jack's shoulder and he stopped.
"I don't know what else to do. I can't go out and look for the bastards…so I'll help here." For a moment Sam didn't know what to say.
Flashback
…"He should be here." Daniel looked up innocently,
"Who?"
"Jack. Christ, we almost lost them yesterday! He should be here helping me solve this, find whoever is doing this." She stood up and flicked a switch on one of her many 'doohickies.'
"Jack's just as angry and concerned as you are. He wants to find the people responsible for this too." Her shoulders slumped.
"Yeah, well it doesn't seem that way." Sam mumbled in response.
"Jack has his own way of dealing with this Sam. We both know that Jack understands a lot more of what you say than he lets on, but that doesn't mean he's totally comfortable with it." Sam looked confused.
"Look at you. You're got all the calculations, analysing the beam and graphing results. You can see how Jack might feel a little out of his depth here and well…helpless." Her eyes dawned with realization.
"He can't do anything here." Daniel clapped his hands together,
"Exactly! Jack is more of an action man; to him this is like sitting around waiting for something to happen. Even if he had no clue where to start, he'd still rather be out there searching and asking questions. It's difficult for him to just sit here."…
Present
She smiled;
"And that's all I need you to do." She placed a kiss on his cheek and went back to her computer.
In all her days in the defence force Kelly Abbett had never met a situation quiet like this. She'd being pondering the whole thing ever since the O'Neill twins had started at her pre-school. She was ex-army and had been involved in some pretty top stuff, which was why - she guessed - she'd been selected for this. Of course she didn't know the whole story, there'd been about 8 clearance forms, and even then she'd only got a basic story about the youngsters being wanted for medical examination because of a certain gene that they carried. Kelly knew what they meant with the words 'medical examination;' to put it bluntly – dissection. She shivered and pushed the thought aside. Everything had been fine up until last week; the girls hadn't been at pre-school for 4 days then just turned up today, much quieter than usual and wary of being outside, away from the teachers. She'd been told nothing, but she knew better than to ask questions. If she needed to know, she would be told. Still, Kelly was worried about the two girls.
" Look Mrs Abbett! It's me in my tutu!" Kelly smiled at the picture Grace had drawn. Grace seemed to be the older of the two, always looking out for her sister while Evelyn didn't seem to mind whether she was with Grace or not. Grace was also the more confident one and so her sudden quietness made Kelly all the more concerned. She knelt next to the girl.
"Grace, is everything ok?" The young girl tensed and went back to colouring furiously; Kelly tried again. "You don't have to tell me, if it's about why you haven't been here. I was wondering if there is anything else bothering you." Grace continued colouring, but Mrs Abbett was a woman of patience. They sat in silence for a while before she left to see to the rest of the class.
"So, we tell them tonight?" It was 2 o'clock and Sam was locking up her lab while Jack waited with their coats.
"Yep. They won't be shocked, but I don't think they're going to like it either." The couple were yet to tell their friends of their decision to move to Nevada on Sam's transfer. With the twins and Cassie, they were meeting the team at O'Malley's, or 'the restaurant' as it had become; it was the only one SG-1 went to as a team. Sam's transfer would be for 3 years and her choice whether she wanted to stay on or return to Colorado at the end of that period. She had mixed feelings about leaving the SGC, but she believed it was best for her family. "Family…" She spoke the last word again, out loud.
"Huh?" Jack handed over her coat.
"We're a family." He looked at her,
"Uh…yeah?"
"Nothing…I just like saying it." He hugged her and they walked towards the elevator.
The parents were here now and most of her friends had already left, as Grace waited in the classroom. Every collection her parents had to come in and show ID as only a select few people were allowed to collect her and her sister. Thinking of Evelyn the young girl turned to see her reading in the corner, and reassured that Evelyn wouldn't be moving anytime soon, she went off to find Mrs Abbett. She soon found her talking to one of the parents; timidly she tugged on her teachers' skirt.
"Mrs Abbett?" It was a mere whisper but the teacher heard and grasped the little girl's hand while she finished talking.
"Ok Grace, now we can talk. Is it about what's bothering you?" Grace nodded and they went and sat in the story corner, the girl again checking on her sister. "What's wrong Grace?" Grace hesitated before replying,
"We never see grandpa anymore." Kelly had to think, she hadn't expected that response and wasn't at all sure how to respond; she knew nothing of the girls extended family.
"Oh…does he live very far away?" The little girl shook her head. "Maybe you could ask your mom or dad when they come to collect you." Grace shook her head again.
"Momma never talk about Grandpa." By now Kelly was quiet bemused at how she would be of any help to the girl. Naturally she was glad that she finally knew what was bothering Grace, but how, she wondered, could the girl think she would be of any help? Well…there could be no harm in bringing up the subject with the mother when she arrived could there?
"How about I ask mommy?' Grace smiled and nodded.
Cassie slammed the car door shut and did up her belt with a grunt.
"I hope you guys had a better day than I did." She crossed her arms and stared out the window.
"Nothing new our end. What happened Cass?" Jack was driving and Sam turned in her seat to face the young woman.
"Got a C on my paper, because I missed a whole section! It wasn't on the hand out sheet I swear! Then I lose my lunch and you don't even want to know about history lecture." Sam smiled and rubbed her hand across her niece's knee.
"Never mind, I guess you're glad we picked you up today huh? We've just got to pick up Evelyn and Grace and then you can change at our place and meet mom and Daniel at O'Malley's." Cassie wiped her eyes and nodded.
"Still nothing on the beam?" Her aunt shook her head sadly and Cassie turned to the window again.
"Ah, Colonel-" Sam tried not to roll her eyes.
"It's Sam, please."
"Ok then, Sam, would you mind if we just had a little talk?" Her sense suddenly on overdrive Sam followed Mrs Abbett into the classroom where her daughters were waiting.
"Ever since Grace and Evelyn have returned they've been very quiet; especially Grace." The woman held up a hand when Sam opened her mouth. "I'm not asking questions. I talked to Grace today, to see if anything was bothering her. If it was about the absence I told her that was fine. She came to me this afternoon and…well, she said she didn't see Grandpa anymore. You'll probably know what she's talking about, but I said I'd talk to you as she didn't want to ask herself." Sam suddenly blinked back tears at the mention of her late father. She'd never even thought about what his absence would mean to the twins, forgetting that it would be quiet a shock if he'd been alive and then suddenly not.
"My…my farther died earlier this year." She looked across at her daughter, only to meet green eyes, which watched her and the teacher cautiously.
"Death can be hard on young children, they're yet to understand the permanency of the situation. Perhaps it would help to sit down and talk to her about it." Mrs Abbett squeezed the mother's arm before rounding up the girls and signing them out.
"Grandpa is with the angels?"
"Yes sweetie." All 5 were seated in the car while Sam did her best to explain to the youngsters about death. They turned to Cassie.
"Like your real mommy?" The adults were momentarily taken aback. They know about my past?
"Ye-yes, like my real mommy." Evelyn appeared to take the new information calmly, not too fussed about the conversation.
"Grace, why didn't you ask mommy or me? You know you can always talk to us about anything." Jack reached out for Grace as the girl answered.
"Mommy get upset." He looked to Sam, but she was just as confused as he was.
"She never asked-"
"They don't have to, we already know they have ESP." Both turned to look at Cassie who shrugged. "Well you do get upset sometimes, and am I correct in assuming that you have never talked about Jacob with Grace and Evie?" Sam nodded.
"Well there we go then." Little more was said during the drive home; though Sam and Jack had got used to hearing the children n their minds, the girls still manage to shock them now and again.
"We should take them to see Dad's grave."
Once at home Cassie went to her room to change as did Sam while Jack took care of the twins. Sam was busy looking through the drawers for her favourite top when she heard a groan from the doorway and grinned. She stood up and smirked at Jack who at present was having difficulty breathing. Grace and Evelyn were dressed and waiting in living room.
"Hey Sam, what time are we-" Hot damm! She was sorting through the drawers and that would haven been fine, had she not been wearing tight blue jeans and nothing else. "Sam, I swear if don't put…something…on now, we are definitely going to be late tonight; kids or no kids in the house." She grinned then laughed as she shoved him out the door and closed it behind him. "You'll be the death of me Samantha Carter!" But what a way to go…
"Yeah, well when you guys have finished making out, I'm getting hungry?" Cassie was leaning against the wall, not flustered in the least at her adopted aunt and uncle's behaviour.
"Ok lets go Cass. Jack? Might want to close your mouth." Sam slipped a finger under his chin and snapped it gently shut, before following Cassie out the door. Hot damm…
"We haven't done this in ages!" The group nodded in agreement with Daniel. "Well, not since the incident with the arm-"
"Ack! That is a forbidden subject!" the table was silent until Jack spoke again. "Ah, but we did have fun didn't we?" Sam nearly choked on her drink.
"Sir! We almost got ourselves killed…again! It is one of the most stupidest things we ever done!" The table erupted in laughter at Sam's outburst and her automatic use of 'sir'. The waiter came over and asked if they had decided on their meals, and when the group simultaneously yelled out 'steak!' and dissolved into fits of laughter, walked away rather bemused.
The man entered the restaurant quickly and found a table near the one occupied by his purpose here. Recently taking the place of 2nd Apprentice, he had a much more active role and carried out more missions himself; thus his current position. The abduction of the O'Neill children would take place 3 days from now, monitoring of the family had been tightened considerably and there was one last task to be completed. The man felt exposed without his robe and ordered himself a meal, before tuning into the conversation at the table in question.
"You're what?" The table went deathly silent as all eyes turned on Sam expectantly, who had just informed the group of her transfer to Nevada.
"Simply? Grace and Evelyn." The group looked towards the small children who had changed so much in only a few months. "They are what is important now. I can't go on missions anymore, I can't risk them losing me. I won't allow them to grow up how I did." Janet nodded in understanding. "My work schedule will be much more flexible and I will be able to spend more time with Jack and the children."
"But you could do that here Sam, work in the labs on your own time." Sam shook her head.
"Most of the technology gets sent to Area 51 anyway, I only have time for an initial analysis anyway. Plus I would have so much more technology at my disposal over there." Daniel resigned with a sigh and Teal'c took this opportunity to speak.
"You also believe this move will be safer for your daughters." Sam looked down at her hands.
"I don't think they'll be truly safe anywhere, Teal'c." Her gaze slid to her children who were playing at the end of the table. "But I do think this is best for them. It'll be a breath of fresh air with everything going on, and Jack and I can focus on their future and how to insure their safety."
The man committed the information to memory. Area 51; this would be excellent. The more the team was spilt up, the better the attack would go for THEY.
"We'll, you'll be missed. Both of you."
"Don't think you're getting rid of us that easily Danny-boy, it's only for 3 years." Jack put his arm around Sam and took a sip of his beer. "I'll be renting out my house, so during holidays and downtime we can come down here or you can stay with us in Nevada."
"Fine by me, give me a holiday any day!" Janet shrugged while Cassie suddenly went wide-eyed.
"Oh yes please! Nevada uni's have some of the best history courses in America, mom!" With that Cassie was off, talking at the speed of light while Janet rolled her eyes playfully and blamed her daughter's interest solely on Daniel, who volunteered full responsibility.
"Alright, alright! I'm not selling the cabin-"
"Like he would!" Jack glared at Daniel before continuing.
"Anyway, Sam and I were thinking, that since it's Grace and Evelyn's first Christmas here with us, that we could all spend it at the cabin. Say arriving on the 23 and staying till New Years?"
The group agreed whole heartily and toasted the future. They talked for a little longer but it was irrelevant and the man tuned out. Reaching into his pocket he pulled out a small pillbox that opened to reveal two silver discs, no bigger than the nail on his little finger. They were trackers. The discs would be absorbed into the children's skin and be traceable for a week, before dissolving into nothing; just enough time for the abduction to take place. Seeing the group pack up, the man quickly placed the discs on the tips of his glove-covered thumbs.
Sam and Janet headed to the counter to pay, while the others made their way towards the exit.
"Oh Jack, can you hand me my purse?" Sam's call had Jack stopping directly in front of the man's table and he grinned with pleasure; the girls stood on either side of their father with their backs to the table. The man leaned out and watched as the two discs sank into the girls' upper arms. Evelyn scratched at where the disc had gone in, but took no notice otherwise. Sam turned to Jack, her hand resting on her protruding belly. Jack took a step back, which caused the man to rear backwards in fright. What the… Jack shook his head.
"Jack?" He looked back at Sam who had concern written across her face. A quick glance down, nothing, her belly was as flat as it had always been.
"Uh…I'm fine, here." He passed the purse over before following Daniel and Teal'c outside, still trying to shake the image out of his mind.
On the outskirts of Colorado, in an old building, a signal pumped onto the computer screen, the man watching spinning around in his chair.
"The final task is complete Prior."