Groaning, Sam shifted in the bed slightly. As she slowly became conscious pain radiated through her body, as fast and as painful as a bolt of lightening running through her. Swallowing she glanced around, unable to make things out. Squeezing her eyes closed she sighed and fell back against her pillows as the door opened.
"Hey sleepy head," a small voice said gently. Looking around she smiled at the familiar face.
"Janet…" She whispered.
"Yeah it's me, how are you feeling?"
"Like I've been hit by a MAC truck!" She sighed, as Janet smiled.
"Sounds about right. You've had us all a bit worried…" As she drifted off, she saw Sam's gaze shift to just over her shoulder. Turning Janet smiled gently.
"Ellie," Sam whispered, smiling.
"Hey, how's the head? Heard you got shot, and died? Did you go to heaven or hell? Meet anyone we might know?" She smiled sadly. Smiling gently, she nodded.
"Yeah actually," she frowned, watching her. "I went to heaven of course, as I'm an angel," she smiled slyly. "But I saw… I saw…" Frowning she sighed.
"It's ok, I was just playing around," she said gently.
"No! Ellie, I saw Peter. He… We talked a bit, and he said he's sorry, and that I had to stay strong and fight," she whispered, watching as Ellen turned away slightly. "Ellie, what's going on?"
"Peter died two days ago Sam, I'm here saying goodbye, I have to go home for the funeral. The jet will be waiting for me soon. Jack said he'd take Sarah and me to the airport. I'm glad your ok and you have to fight this alright? I gave Janet something to help you, but you're going to have to do most of it on your own. The drugs will only last another month, and if you can't help your self within that time, then…"
"Ellie I'm sorry about Pete, but I promise you that when I'm well enough I'll call you ok? I'll come over and we can just talk yeah?"
"I'm afraid that will be impossible, Captain," looking around she saw the General and smiled, slightly.
"What do you mean general?'
"I mean that after Ellen goes back to Australia to bury her husband she will be escorted back to her house, where she'll pack some things and will be on the first plane back here. Captain I am not impressed that you told her about…"
ELLEN!" She yelled, only to see Mac cringe, and shrug slightly.
"I didn't want to, but Jacob made me, he said it would be the only way for them to trust me, so that I could help you." She whispered.
"Oh, but STILL!" She huffed. "How did you help me by the way?" She frowned.
"Those 'drugs' I told you I gave Janet?"
"Ye-ah?"
"It's based on Goa'uld symbiote blood, with a few other things in there. Jack, Daniel and Major Roberts took me to Argos, where that Goa'uld who tortured Jack…"
"Ba'al,"
"Yeah him, he was there, and well let's just say if you start to get over possessive of people… cough Jack cough…"
"Hey shut up you," she smiled.
"Yeah well, anyway," she smiled, "it'll be, because the symbiote I used was Ba'al himself, after I killed him, and," sighing, she shrugged. "I just had everything running through my head and I didn't really know what I was doing. And I started saying all this stuff, and Jack thought I had a snake in my head, and…"
"I told you Ellie, you can understand Goa'uld! AND not to mention… Hang on you haven't told them everything have you?" She frowned. Shaking her head Jack walked in.
"Ready?" He asked gently, holding Sarah, as he peered into the room. "Hey Carter! Welcome back to the land of the living!" He grinned at her, as she smiled gently, and nodded.
"Yeah I'm ready," she whispered, flashing a slight smile at Sam, before leaving the room.
As she stood in the front row, of the many people, Mac couldn't help the tears that were slipping down her cheeks. Her three best friends, who were also her co-workers, her daughter, and Jack all stood at attention with her. Gripping her hand Ange couldn't help the tears either. As they stood there, watching the coffin being lowered into the grave, their fellow colleagues of the police force, moved around and positioned themselves in front of them, on the other side of the grave. Many still standing behind them, the commissioner, inspectors, and several sergeants were amongst the few that took up that position, and saluted them.
"On behalf of the entire police force, we acknowledge the work, and continued commitment that senior constable Peter Church put into his work. He was one of the older styles of police, and went against many rules. However this usually paid off when the results worked in his favour and he got his team mates out of trouble." Taking a breath the commissioner took a step forward before continuing. "He was a family man, and loved every part of his life. He was a loving husband, and a caring father. His legacy will live on in his daughter. She was what made the man turn to mush. She is his treasure and will be forever in our hearts, as will her mother." He stated looking at Mac, who was trying to keep the cascading tears at bay, for her daughter.
"This is a man who hated police functions, and parties altogether, unless of course they were with his family and three best friends. Peter was always in some sort of trouble, and with IA always breathing down his neck he made sure that there was always something for them to do. As he would always say 'they don't do anything, so why not make them actually do something'" the commissioner's voice started to crack, but he knew he had to power though. "Peter was the son that his previous boss and my self never had. He was always pushing boundaries, and wanting more. Never sitting still for five minutes, and enough energy to keep a six year old at bay. Or better still to make them tired by lunch time," he smiled.
"Peter Church may you rest in peace, and god bless your family." He finished by bowing his head as did all members behind him, before the entire congregation were bowing their heads, and taking a few minutes to morn his passing, and think about how he touched their life's in one way or another.
After the service, Mac was watching from a distance as Jack made sure he stayed by her side, despite what people were starting to think. She saw Sarah move over to the open grave and sit on the edge, dangling her legs into the grave. As she looked at the coffin, she sniffled, before starting to push small amounts of dirt from the heap beside her onto the coffin.
"Daddy, mummy says that you're in a better place, that you're not hurting anymore. But daddy, mummy is hurting lots! And she said that now we have to go and stay with auntie Sam. Mummy's sad daddy and I'm sad because mummy's sad, and I just want you to come home and make everything all better like always," she whispered.
"Sarah," a small voice whispered which got her to look up and stare right into Jack's eyes. "Sweetie, it's time to go home, and pack some things. I'm going to take mummy and you home and then you're going to come with me and see Auntie Sam how does that sound? You can sit with Auntie Sam and help her get better?" He said gently to which the four year old smiled and nodded. Jumping up she grinned at him.
"I'm ready; I want to see Auntie Sam!" She grinned, all sadness forgotten.
"Ok, let's go find mummy," he said gently.
"Mummy?"
"Yes Sarah?"
"Mummy, my Fron hurts,"
"Just let me finish this with Daniel, Sarah."
"But it weally hurts!" Sighing Ellen gave a slight smile to Daniel before looking at Sarah.
"Ok where does it hurt?"
"Here." She whispered pointing to her right temple.
"Ok, I'll get you something, in a minute ok? I just have to finish here, and then we'll get you all better alright?" Sniffling she nodded, before letting her head rest on the cold desk in front of her.
"Hi kids, what ya doin'?"
"Just taking a look at this 'thing' SG7 brought back, for Sam while she's still with Janet," Ellen said as she continued to fiddle with it.
"Well shouldn't you wait until Carter is right before you go fiddling?"
"Mm, no, not really. She won't mind, she…"
"What are you doing?" A gasp came from the door, which got them all to look at her.
"Nothing," Ellen smiled innocently.
"Nothing my butt!" Sam exclaimed walking into the room. Sighing she looked at Sam and smiled.
"Sorry I just got a bit interested,"
"Well…" Stopping her eyes widened before looking at Ellen. "Please don't tell me you pulled this apart!"
"Of course, you think I'd let Daniel touch it?" She smirked. "No offence Daniel," Ellen smiled at him.
"None taken," he smiled back.
"Ok so what is it then?" Sam sighed looking at her.
"Um, well we haven't quite worked that out, yet."
"Mummy…"
"Okay, Sarah Auntie Sam's here I'll get you something,"
"What's wrong with her?" Sam questioned, frowning.
"Oh just a headache," she smiled. "Nothing to be alarmed about, have fun with that." Ellen smiled, before picking Sarah up and leaving the room. Groaning she nodded.
"Yeah thanks," Sam mumbled.
"If it's any conciliation, we thought it might be some sort of communication device, and it wasn't my idea to open it, Ellen just…"
"What did you say?"
"What?" He frowned.
"You thought it was what?"
"A communication device…" As he drifted off, Sam was already tearing around the corner and out of her lab. Looking at each other the boys quickly decided to follow.
"Ellen!" She yelled, as they got to her quarters. Without knocking on the door she threw it open. Jumping Ellen turned looking at her, sighing before looking back at Sarah.
"Haven't you heard of…?"
"You know what it is, don't you?"
"No,"
"Ellen!"
"Alright yes I do, what's the big problem?"
"You can't just do this, Ellie! People will work things out!"
"Work what things out?" Daniel frowned as they looked up to see him standing in the doorway next to Jack.
"And what's that?" Swallowing Ellen looked at Sam as she turned back around.
"That's the Clavia to help with my Fron," Sarah said gently, sitting up looking at them.
"What?" Jack frowned?
"Um, it's like baby Panadol," Mac said quickly.
"Oh, then what…"
"She makes things up, you know what kids are like," she smiled. "Sarah makes up her own language or words for different things," Mac smiled. Nodding he sighed.
"Oh, ok, it just sounded familiar to me that's all," Jack mumbled, as Daniel turned to him, whispering.
"It should Jack; you spoke that for a few days a few years ago. It's ancient!"
"Oh… OH!" Spinning around, he looked at them. "Sarah,"
"Yes?"
"What does Fron mean?"
"Head"
"And what about Clavia?"
"Key," she smiled.
"Oh, ok so what if I said, 'the Clavia to your problem is your Fron' that would mean?" Giggling, she smiled at him.
"That means, 'the key to my problem is my head'" she stated, with a grin.
"Oh," turning he looked at Daniel. "Well what would ya know?"
"What's that supposed to mean?" Mac stated.
"It means we know what she said," Daniel stated. "That's not just any made up language, that's an actual language. It's called 'ancient'"
"What's 'ancient'?" Sarah frowned.
"It's what you just spoke, it's different to our language and it sounds a bit wrong," he smiled gently. Frowning she glared at him.
"There is nothing Cruvis with it! You're Dorentus! It's not Cruvis!" She yelled.
"Sarah!" Mac exclaimed. Huffing she looked away.
"Sorry mummy."
"It's ok, but don't speak like that ok?"
"But… but…"
"I mean it Sarah!" Sighing she nodded.
"Ok,"
"Carter, I think it's about time you two came clean!" Jack stated looking between Mac and Sam.
"What do you mean?" Sam questioned innocently.
"You know what I mean Carter! I mean why can she speak and understand Goa'uld, and now she's speaking ancient to her daughter, which just doesn't add up, and its leaving me off balance!" He stated, looking at them. Sighing Mac stood from the bed, and moved to stand next to Sam.
"Don't go off at her, she's just been trying to protect us…"
"Ellen don't,"
"I have to Sam; we knew it was bound to come out, sooner or later right?"
"Yes, but…"
"We'll be ok," she smiled gently.
"Ok," she sighed looking at them. "I can speak both languages, as can Sarah; we both have what you call 'the ancient gene' and can understand it. I mean we can speak it, write it, and read it. However Sarah's still learning a few things. And I can also read, write, and speak Goa'uld. There you happy? You've found out all our secrets," she mumbled before moving back to Sarah, to make sure she was ok."
"Did your husband know about this?"
"No, only Sam did, I thought I was going crazy when I started speaking them, but after she started here I was her point of reference," she sighed.
"So you're telling me that, you can not only understand Goa'uld, AND ancient better then anyone else on this base, but you can also read and write it?" Hammond questioned in utter shock. Sighing Mac nodded.
"Yes, that's exactly what we're saying,"
"Captain?"
"Sorry sir, but it was for their own safety, if the NID found out about them, they would do everything to get to them, and nothing would stop them. Sir Ellen and Sarah are my family, and I wasn't going to let the NID get anywhere near them!" Sam stated looking at him, as he sighed and nodded.
"She has a point there general," Jack butted in.
"I'm aware of that Colonel,"
"Oh, okay then."
"So now what do we do?" Mac questioned, looking at Hammond.
"Well that's more up to you then me…"
"Do you have to tell this to anyone? I mean after all America has the 'president' and all," she stated with a slight mock. "I'm sure you'd be telling him, when you got the chance!" she huffed.
"No Ellen, if you didn't want me to, then I would respect those wishes and I would not tell him. Only because the chef of staff, who happens to also be the secretary of defence, has his fingers in with the NID." Hammond stated watching her.
"Oh," she mumbled. "I guess I'm sorry for that comment then,"
"Okay, look we can get you some sort of job here, we can make something up, but you have to be careful with what you say and when you say it, alright?"
"Yes," she sighed, thinking of Sarah, and Peter.
"Alright, that's a start. Now as for Sarah I'm sure doctor Frasier wouldn't mind looking after her, when you're busy with something. But…"
"General if I may, I want your main concern to be on Sarah, if anything happens to me then this is all she'll ever know. This mountain, these people, the gate, these languages, this will be her entire life, and I don't think anything could or would change that. I mean if I were to get hit by a bus tomorrow, I'd want her here with you, with your people, with Sam. I'd want her where I knew she'd be safe. She loves Sam, and she doesn't so mind Jack either." She smiled slightly, bowing her head before taking a breath and continuing.
"But I don't want her going back to Australia, if the NID know about us. As you are aware they will stop at nothing to track her down. At lest having her here she is protected by many more then three people." She said looking directly into his eyes. Smiling he nodded. Before looking at a smiling Sam, and Jack. As his eyes skirted around the room in thought he couldn't help but notice the small smile that had crept on his own face.
"Ok, we'll do what we can to keep her here, if anything is to happen to you Ellen, but we can't guarantee that the NID wont come after her, and when she gets older we can't guarantee that she'll stay here, that she wont rebel, and want to know nothing about this program…"
"General, Sarah is very bright and she is well aware that her ancestors left their mark on her for a reason. She will do as she is wished, rather then commanded to do." Mac stated watching the older man smile and nod yet again.
"Okay, we'll do our best Ellen." Smiling she nodded.
"Thankyou General."
"Hey!" Jack called jogging after her. "What did you mean by 'she will do as she is wished, rather then commanded to do'?" Jack frowned, as they started to walk the remainder of the hall together.
"Jack, before you joined the air force, what were you like? I mean did you always do what you were told to do? Did you rebel when someone told you to do something? But obliged when you were rather asked?" She asked gently stopping outside her quarters.
"I guess, but everyone's like that! And just to let you know, I still don't do what I'm told to some times," he whispered, which got a smile from Mac.
"That I am aware of!" Smiling at the look he gave her, she couldn't help it. "Blame your subordinate," she smirked.
"Carter!" He exclaimed, "Wait 'til I get my hands…"
"On her?" She questioned, "Jack if you ever listen to anyone in your life make it me, and make it now. Sam loves you, and I can see that you love her. Please don't make her do something she's going to regret! She told me about Pete and I haven't met him, but I already don't like him! Get your ass into gear and tell her how you feel! For everyone's sakes please!" She stated before retreating into her quarters, leaving a shocked and overwhelmed Jack standing there facing the door.