Here you go ...
"Damn it all! How the hell could she just disappear like this? She's practically a kid herself and she's an alien. She doesn't even know anyone. Where could she be?"
"I don't know Colonel." Hammond wanted to yell as much as the Colonel but he knew he had to maintain some semblance of control. It wouldn't do anyone any good if he were to throw a tantrum. "We're checking out every possibility, even looking into the NID, but so far we don't have any leads."
"The baby is due in just a couple of weeks", Sam said softly, her hand on her belly. "What if – what if she does something with it?"
Jack swiftly put his arm around her, not caring that they were on base. "She won't Sam. She ran because she wanted the baby. I'm sure she'll look after it just fine."
"But it's our baby!"
"I know, I know." He ran his hand through his hair, wanting to hit someone. In fact, right now he had a strong desire to hit Saeena, which scared him silly. He normally would never even think of hitting a woman – unless she was a Goa'uld of course. "We'll find her Sam, I promise."
"You can't promise that, Jack", she said softly.
"Yes he can Sammie", he father said swiftly. "If there's anyone who can it's Jack. You just have to have faith."
Jacob had decided to stay after he'd found out about Saeena. Jack was grateful, knowing that having her father close by was helping Sam. To be honest, it was helping him too. The man had been incredibly supportive and had offered whatever resources he had to the search.
Sam took a deep breath, trying hard to be the calm, collected officer she usually was. She'd mastered the art after years of fighting the Goa'uld and all the other bizarre things the universe had thrown at them. She briefly closed her eyes, admitting to herself that she was finding this one hard. She wanted to scream and cry and throw things, all not appropriate responses from a Major in the Air Force.
"Sam – it's our baby." Jack's warm hand grasped hers and she opened her eyes. "Of course this is hard. Don't expect to deal with this like a mission – this is personal."
God, he knew her so well. She forced herself to smile and nod, knowing he was right but still finding it difficult. She was a mother and she was frightened.
"We'll keep looking Major and we will find her", General Hammond promised. "You just take care of yourself and let us handle this."
"Why don't you go home", Jack told her gently. "You need to get off your feet and rest. We'll continue working on this from here."
She wanted to object, to say she'd stay and help but knowing that she was too tired to really do anything useful she agreed. She had to let the men deal with this. The good news was, they were the three men she trusted most in the whole universe. And she couldn't forget that Daniel and Teal'c were also on the case. After saying goodbye she headed out, looking for Daniel who'd offered her a ride home.
"Damn it!" Jack pounded his hand on Hammond's desk. "Where the hell could she be?"
Janet arrived home that evening, exhausted with the events of the day. They still hadn't found Saeena and she felt horrible. Even though she knew that it wasn't really her fault, in her heart she couldn't help but feel that if she'd listened to her instincts this wouldn't have happened. She took a deep breath and opened her car door. She'd have to go and check on Cassie, who still hadn't gotten over the guilt for her part in Saeena's disappearance. Janet felt a stab of anguish when she thought about the damage the young alien woman had left behind. They had to find her.
"Janet!"
She looked around and wanted to groan. It was Betty Gardener from across the street. Betty was the neighborhood gossip and the last person Janet wanted to deal with right now. But she figured she might as well get over it. Betty was like a dog with a bone and if she thought something was going on everyone within a five block radius would hear about it.
"Betty. How are you?"
"Just fine Janet." The woman stomped over, looking like some Viking warrior ready for battle. "And how about you? You work so hard you poor dear. It must so painful to have to leave your young daughter for such long periods of time. I made the decision, when Sarah was young, to stay at home. It was a sacrifice because I was doing so well in my career, but I just couldn't bear the thought of leaving her with nanny's or in daycare. Of course Cassandra is such an – independent girl, isn't she?"
"Mmm." Janet made a non-commital sound, gritting her teeth hard to keep from telling the old bitch what she really thought.
"And that new young lady you have staying with you! What a shame."
"Pardon me?" What the hell was Betty talking about? "What a shame about what?"
"Well, just her story." She leaned forward and spoke in a pseudo-whisper. "It was so nice of you to take her in with everything that had happened. But weren't you frightened?"
"Uh – frightened of what?"
The woman – all two hundred blond and righteous pounds of her – leaned forward. "Of him."
"Him? Betty, I'm sorry, but I really don't know what you're talking about."
"Oh come Janet – you don't need to pretend. You know you can trust me to be – discreet."
Right – that was like saying she trusted a man-eating tiger not to want to eat her or a Goa'uld not to want to take over the world and enslave all its people. "Uh – I'm sure I can Betty, I just don't know what I'm trusting you with."
The woman 'tsked'. "Janet, you know. That man! The one who" she leaned forward again and said as quietly as she was able – "abused" her."
"Abused? What are you talking about ?" Janet frowned at her, wondering where in the world this was coming from. As big a gossip as the woman was, she usually had a semblance of the facts right.
"Janet, she told me. I came over one day when she was sitting in your yard and got into a lovely conversation with her. I think she saw me as a mother figure. You know, with you away so often at that place, she probably needed another woman to confide in."
Just ignore her Janet – don't kill the woman. She's not worth going to jail for. "I'm sure she did Betty – and it was good that you were here for her. But, can I ask, what did she confide?"
"I told you – about the man. I think it was that man who's come around a few times. I don't think it was a good idea to let him into your house Janet, not after what he did to her. He looks like a vicious one."
Janet closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Uh – Betty, I'm really not sure what you're talking about. Can you explain everything to me, clearly? And what man?"
Betty sighed, hitched up her leggings and licked her lips. She was in full gossip mode. "The man - you know – he's come by a few times – sometimes with another woman, which I felt was terribly tacky of him. I mean, to leave that young girl like that – pregnant – and to abuse her and then move on to someone else. Unless she was his wife and Sae – what was her name? – she must have been his mistress. It was so nice of you to take her in like that Janet. I know I wouldn't have had the – uh – courage to take that kind of a woman into my house when Sarah was still a young girl. It wouldn't have been a good influence – I mean, that's what I would have thought, but I know you're different. You have much more modern ways."
"Betty – who are you talking about? What man?" Although Janet was starting to have an idea of what was going on.
"The tall, gray haired one. I've seen him in a uniform sometimes so I think he must work at that place you do."
"You mean Jack?"
"Yes, that was the name – Jack O'Connor – or something like that."
Janet opened her mouth to correct the woman but then closed it. No point in giving her Jack's real name, not since she was pretty sure Betty was going to repeat it throughout the neighborhood. Wait! What had Betty said about him? "What do you mean abused?"
"I told you Janet – the girl – oh what was her name – confided in me that she was staying with you to get away from that man. He was horribly abusive, she told me. In fact, he'd even beaten her a number of times. She was terrified poor girl. She then told me he was a powerful man and was going to take away her baby. Simply awful! Something should be done to stop him. Have you called the police?"
"What?" Janet was frowning – suddenly realizing how very devious Saeena had been. "The police? No – why would I do that?"
"Because of the man. He was going to hurt her. That why I told her she should go to the woman's shelter."
"Wait. What? The woman's shelter?"
"Yes, you know – the one for abused women? Their telephone number is all over the place. You just have to go into women's rest rooms at various bars – not that I do of course, go into bars I mean – but I've heard. You call them and they pick you up and take you somewhere safe, where the man can't find you. I've heard they've hidden women for years to keep them safe from their ex's. I told her she should call – I mean, she should have talked to you first of course but maybe she didn't think -" Betty's voice faded out as she caught sight of Janet's expression. She grew flustered and started to back away. "I'm afraid I need to get home now Janet. It's been nice talking -"
"Wait!" Janet looked fiercely at the other woman, wanting to scratch her eyes out. "First of all, who else have you talked to about this?"
"Well – no one dear. I mean, I may have mentioned it briefly to Jane and Emma and Mildred – they come over to play bridge once a week. Other than that, I only told Michael next door – he has daughters you know, and I didn't want that man around, seducing more -"
"Stop!" Janet held up her hand. "That man as you call him is a close friend and you're right – he's also very powerful and he has very powerful friends" (unfortunately Janet couldn't tell the woman how powerful – although she'd love to have Thor beam her up to his ship and scare the pants off of her – especially since they were really ugly pants). He is not however, an abuser. Saeena lied to you about that. He was, in fact, doing everything he could to help her. Now, your job Betty, is to go back to all those people you told and undo the damage you have caused to Jack's reputation. Because if you don't, I will make sure he sues you for slander. Your gossiping and interference has caused huge heartache for a lot of people and it's time it stopped. Now – good day."
Janet slammed the front door as she walked into her house, so angry she wanted to – to
"Hi Mom." Cassie's tentative voice shook her out of her fury and she glanced up to see a pale, tear-stained face looking down at her.
"Oh Cass – hi baby. Come here." She held out her arms and the young teen practically raced down the stairs and into her mother's arms.
"I'm so sorry Mom. I didn't mean to hurt Jack and Sam."
"I know – you were conned by that woman. It's not your fault." She led Cassie into the living room where they sat on the couch and cried for a while. Eventually Janet lifted her head and gave a small smile. "Feeling better?"
"A bit, although I won't feel okay until we find Saeena and the baby. Mom, why were you so mad when you came in?"
"What? Oh that – it was Betty – you know, from across the street?"
"Oh yeah – you mean, 'I was a perfect mother to Sarah, who was a perfect daughter and did everything right, etc, etc' Betty?"
Janet laughed. "Yes, that Betty."
"Did you know that Sarah won't have anything to do with her mother? I heard it from Marianne next door. Sarah ran away when she was seventeen and moved in with a guy. She's got a couple of kids and works part time as a waitress."
"Really?" Janet felt a surge of satisfaction but quickly stamped it down. This was a teaching moment, although she couldn't help the little bit of pleasure she got from the news. That was exactly the problem with gossip. "But you know – we really shouldn't listen to gossip like that. We don't know the true story and it can only cause people pain. That's exactly what Betty does – gossips – and look at all the damage she has done."
"Yeah, I guess. Still, I couldn't help but think it served her right."
Janet sighed and hugged her daughter. After a second though, she sat back. "I have to call Colonel O'Neill", she said suddenly. "As much as I hate Betty's gossiping, I'm grateful she spoke to me today. I think I may have a lead as to where Saeena has gone."
Jack was frustrated as hell. He'd tried to contact the shelter, but because he was a man he had been instantly frozen out. George was going to go through official channels to try and find out if Saeena had contacted them. If the woman he'd spoken to briefly was any indication, it was going to be a tough battle.
"What if we get a court order?" Jacob suggested.
"I doubt that will work", Daniel told him. "They have a history of defying courts and the police – it's all to protect the women and children and they see it as their mission to keep them hidden."
"But what if the woman is lying? What if the husband or father wasn't abusive?" Jacob asked.
"That's always been one of the issues. Most women are telling the truth and are often afraid for their lives or the lives of their children. There have been cases where a woman has used that as a way to keep her kids or get back at her husband, but it's pretty hard to tell if that's the case. Historically the shelters will support the woman."
"Damn it! There's got to be something we can do." Jack rubbed a hand through his already messy hair. "She can't just disappear like this."
"Don't worry Jack – we'll figure it out." The general was looking serious but determined. He was ready to bring out the big guns, if need be.
Jack finally stood. "I'd better be getting home. Sam will want to know what's going on. I hate this. She shouldn't be worrying about things like this – not now."
"She's strong Jack", her father told him, also standing. "Can I catch a ride?" Jacob had been staying at Sam's house, although he'd spent a lot of time at Jack's, helping around the house and trying to keep Sam calm while Jack was doing the searching.
"Of course. General – you'll call if anything comes up?"
"Of course Colonel – and don't worry, we'll find her."
"What if I go to this shelter", Teal'c asked Daniel as they were heading down the hall from the general's office. "I might get them to tell me where she is?"
Daniel laughed, although he instantly looked at his friend apologetically. "Sorry Teal'c – I didn't mean to laugh – it's just, no, I don't think so. I doubt you'll scare them into telling you – I mean, you probably will scare them, but that will just make them all the more determined to hide her. No, in this case a man – especially a very big, strong man – is the last person to talk to them. In fact, I wonder if Sam would have better luck?"
Sam was trying to be calm. In some ways the news about the shelter had been good. It was their first lead and now they had an idea of where to look. But she too had heard how carefully these women's shelters hid abused women. She was worried that they would never see Saeena again – or really, more importantly, that they'd never see their baby. She held her hand over her stomach and felt the movement within and allowed it to calm her. "It's okay baby", she told it. "You'll meet your brother or sister soon, I promise."
"It will you know." Jack had approached silently and put his hand over hers. "We will find her Sam. If worse comes to worse I'll -"
"You'll what?"
He grinned. "I'll have Thor come and beam the head of the shelter up to his ship."
"Probably wouldn't work", she sighed. "I have a feeling the woman is too tough for even that to scare her."
"Nothing?" Jack asked, trying to stay calm.
"Nope. She won't budge. I'm pretty sure she knows Saeena – but she's not saying a thing. We threatened her with lawyers and everything but she won't change her story." Daniel looked as frustrated as they all felt. Teal'c sat beside him quietly, his face its usual calm self – although Jack had seen the clenched fists and knew the big guy was as upset as any of them.
"So, what do we do?" Jack was pacing around his living room, the rest of his team and Jacob all present. They'd gone the official route – had tried bringing in a lawyer – but nothing had moved the woman – Clarice Berenthal – to give in the slightest. Daniel had been right – she was on a mission and would stand to the end on her principles.
On one level Jack admired that – but on another, he was disturbed by anyone who felt so right – so righteous – that they were unable or unwilling to listen, to consider that things might not be as they seemed. He sighed and suddenly realized he was exhausted. That caused him to glance over at Sam.
"Okay – enough! Sam, you need to lie down – and that is an order – I don't care if it's from your fiancé or your commanding officer – okay, okay, former commanding officer, although I'd like to point out I am still your superior officer and second in command of the SGC – just in case you wanted to argue. I want you to go and lie down. This isn't accomplishing anything and you and the baby -" He stopped suddenly when Sam pushed herself up and walked over and kissed him. "Uh what -?"
"I'm going to lie down", she told him. "And you don't need to order me. And just in case you wondered – here in the house you're not my superior anything!" She grinned and turned on her heels – leaving a snickering Daniel and Jacob – and a slightly grinning Teal'c behind.
"I think she just told you Jack!" Sam's loving but proud father stated.
"Yeah", Jack rubbed his hand again through his hair. "She did." He then grinned. "God, I love that woman."
They all laughed, appreciating the brief moment of levity. Shortly after that they grew serious again. Time was short. It was only days until Saeena's due date – for all they knew she could have already had the baby. Sam's due date was a few days after that and then it would become harder to do anything.
"So, what are our options?" Jack turned and looked at his team. "Storm the bastion?"
"I wouldn't exactly call her a 'bastion' Jack", Daniel smirked. "More like a bi -"
"Daniel Jackson, that is not appropriate", Teal'c interrupted. "She is a very strong woman with strong beliefs. We must appeal to her sense of justice."
"Yeah – although I kind of agree with Daniel", Jack muttered. "Still, you're right Teal'c, although I don't know if appealing to her is the way to go."
"What then?" Jacob asked.
"Maybe we tell her the truth", Jack suggested.
"The truth? You mean tell her that Saeena is an alien and was impregnated by other aliens?" Jacob looked at him in surprise, his eyes flashing briefly.
"Yeah."
"Uh, won't you have to get permission for that?" Daniel wanted to know. "I mean, it would be a major security breach."
"Uh huh. I'd have to get the okay from the President."
"He'd never go for it Jack." Jacob was shaking his head.
"Why not? We know the woman can keep secrets. Hell, she's probably the safest person in the world we could tell." Jack stood up. "I'm gonna call George. I think it may be our only hope."
"Well?" Daniel looked at him as he put the receiver down. They'd been waiting for hours to hear back from Hammond. It had been a long-shot – the President wasn't likely to go for it, but at this time they didn't know what else to do.
"Let's go see Clarice", Jack told his friends, "I have a story to tell her."