TITLE: To Earn Freedom
AUTHOR: Sharim
EMAIL: MissSharim@yahoo.com.au
CATEGORY: Action, Angst, Drama, Adventure.
PAIRING: Sam/Jack, Other
SPOILERS: Minor for: Children of the Gods, In the Line of Duty, The Nox, Tok'ra I & II, Cold Lazarus, Pretense, Serpent Song, Forever in a Day,
SEASON / SEQUEL: Post Fair Game,
RATING: PG
CONTENT WARNINGS: Violence.
SUMMARY: Sometimes, the price of freedom is siding with the enemy.
STATUS: Working on it!
ARCHIVE: Sam and Jack, Heliopolis, My site (when I stop slacking off).
DISCLAIMER: Stargate SG-1 and its characters are the property of Showtime/Viacom, MGM/UA, Double Secret Productions, and Gekko Productions. We have written this story for entertainment purposes only and no money whatsoever has exchanged hands. No copyright infringement is intended. The original characters, situations, and story are the property of the authors. Not to be archived without permission of the authors.
A/N: Due to my having 5 exams in the next coupla days (four in two days ARRRGGHH) I'm not going to have time to write/post very much, so this part is REAAAAAALLLLLLY long compared to the others. I hope you enjoy.
Ps if anyone has forgotten what's happened or wants to read it from scratch, then www.fanfiction.net under 'sharim' would be the place to find it, seeing as my website no longer exists ~withering glares at topcities~
Chapter Twenty-One
"All units are Earth side, General. There's no incoming signal either, General."
Hammond frowned, glancing down at the flashing computer screen before turning his gaze back to the iris. Thankfully they had the iris. Hammond shuddered to think what would have happened by now if that solid layer of metal wasn't present protecting them 24/7.
Solid?
He blinked, squinting at the iris. "Sergeant."
"The iris is losing integrity, Sir. I'm trying to-"
The iris wobbled, the metal seeming to move like a mirage in the desert heat.
"What the?" Hammond gazed down at the small orange creature daintily picking its way down the ramp, completely oblivious of the firearms carefully trained on it.
"It's a cat, Sir," Lieutenant Simmons announced.
"I can see that, Lieutenant!" Hammond barked. "How did a cat get through the iris?"
"It looks like Major Carter's cat," Simmons added. "A few years ago. She gave him to the Tollan Narim."
The Tollan. They had possessed the technology with which to travel through solid walls and the like. The first feelings of relief brushed at Hammond, but he wouldn't relax until he saw a friendly face step through onto the ramp.
With a final flicker, the iris expelled the tall figure that Hammond recognised as Narim.
"General Hammond, I am unfamiliar with Earth protocol in these matters. I sent Schrodinger so you would know a friend was coming," the Tollan explained, walking down the ramp and leaning over to quickly pick up the ginger cat.
"It's alright, Narim, the Tollan are welcome here. Units, stand down," Hammond ordered. "Just a minute son, I'll be right there."
Hammond entered the gateroom shortly after, taking in the slightly questioning look on the Tollan's face. "Is everything okay, Narim?"
The man blushed slightly. "I was wondering where Major Carter is. Is she currently off-world?"
"Uh.no, Narim, she's not. She's unavailable at the moment. Would you care to come this way please?"
"Yes, certainly. I was, however, hoping to speak with Colonel O'Neill. I have a message for him from our highest governing body."
"You do? Colonel O'Neill?"
"Yes. The Tollan Curia requests the presence of Colonel O'Neill and his team for Triad."
~o0o~
"Breakfast is ready!" Jack yelled up the stairs. "You ready?"
"Nearly."
Rolling his eyes, Jack placed the last waffle on the stack before heading towards the stairs.
"Colonel?"
"I'm coming, Carter. You know, I'm really looking forward to the day when we move into that new place with the ramps," he groused, thunking up the stairs towards her room.
"You're not the only one, Sir," she retorted as he entered her room and grinned 'hi'.
"Ready for your ride?"
She grinned, nodding, and he picked her up in a practised swoop before turning around and heading back downstairs, depositing her gently at the breakfast table.
"What are you doing today?" she asked, grabbing a waffle and dousing it in syrup.
He glanced at her surreptitiously. "Actually, I was thinking of going away for a few days."
She glanced up instantly, her pancakes forgotten. "Sir?"
"I haven't been near my cabin in almost a year, Carter, and I was thinking it's about time I went up there again."
"Oh," she turned back to her waffled, her face carefully guarded. "Have you phoned Susan?"
"Why would I phone her?" he asked, taking the syrup from her and attacking his own waffles with it.
"It's not like I can look after myself anymore, Sir," she reminded him pointedly, "and I'm not letting that other nurse near me."
"You mean Lauren?"
"Yes." Her eyes spat cold fury at him.
"You don't want to come with me then?"
"Of course I don't want her to look after me! The last time- Colonel?"
He grinned at her, almost laughing openly.
"Are you sure?"
"About what?"
"Wanting me to go up with you?"
"Course I am," he nodded. And he was. Carter was his life now. His best friend, his constant companion. Hell, he didn't even want to get a dog anymore, and that was a real compliment to her!
"What about the chair, Sir?" she asked softly, concern in her eyes.
He shrugged. "What about the chair?"
"I."
"The cabin is flat, Carter. No stairs, just flat. And the jetty is sturdy. There's a nice flat piece of land between the jetty and the cabin."
She nodded hesitantly.
"So you'll come?"
"Sure."
He grinned happily and continued to eat his waffles. "You're going to love the fishing."
~o0o~
"What exactly is a Triad, Narim?" General Hammond asked, glancing across at Janet.
"It is an ancient ceremony of justice. Quite honorable."
"Justice?" Janet questioned, studying the Tollan. "You mean it's like a trial?"
"I am not familiar with trial, Dr. Fraiser."
Janet frowned. "Uh. matters of law are decided there. Justice is delivered, sentencing takes place. There's a defence and a persecutor."
"Yes, it is similar."
"So why do you want SG-1 then?" General Hammond asked curiously, and Janet had to admit that she also felt curious about it.
Narim hesitated, reluctant to speak to them. "My message really is for Colonel O'Neill and his team, General Hammond."
"I understand that, Narim, but they're not here at the moment."
Again the Tollan hesitated, but then he nodded and spoke. "Some days ago there was a conflict with a Goa'uld mothership in Tollana's orbit. A death glider managed to survive the ion canon blast and crash-landed on Tollana, where the survivor was found and taken care of. The survivor is an Abydonian, by the name of Skaara. He has requested the presence of both Colonel O'Neill and Dr. Jackson to help him at the Triad."
"Skaara?" General Hammond clarified.
"Yes."
"Uh, excuse me," Janet interrupted. "I was under the impression that the Nox took you to their planet and that there was no Stargate on Tollana."
"That is correct. We have, however, corrected that. General Hammond, I must see Colonel O'Neill."
Janet winced, knowing that the news wasn't going to come easy to the Tollan.
"Narim."
"Are they still alive?"
The Tollan was perceptive; Janet gave him that much.
"Yes, they are alive. However, none of them are with the SGC any longer."
Narim's face fell. "But the Triad."
"I'm sorry, Narim. We could send another team through."
"No, that will not do. Skaara has requested the counsel of Dr. Jackson and Colonel O'Neill."
"Dr. Jackson no longer works for the SGC, Narim, but I believe he might return if we explain the circumstances," the General suggested thoughtfully.
"Colonel O'Neill?"
Hammond hesitated. "I'm afraid we can't allow him off-world, Narim."
"Why?"
"It's complicated, Narim. A medical condition."
Narim shrugged. "The Tollan could help. As a service to him for being of assistance."
Janet looked at Hammond. The Tollan could help.
"Narim. are you capable of dealing with spinal injuries?" Janet asked slowly, her mouth dry with anticipation.
"Perhaps. It depends on the severity."
"What if the spine wasn't broken, just the nerve damaged."
"Is movements of the arms inhibited?"
"No, just the legs. There's no feeling in them either."
Narim hesitated. "Perhaps. When there is no feeling it is not always possible to heal."
"Dr. Fraiser?" General Hammond asked curiously, and she could see the hope in his eyes as well.
"Even if they did heal her, General, she still couldn't come back to the SGC for the same reason the Colonel can't," she cautioned.
"At least shed have the use of her legs back," he countered.
"Could we do it?"
"Narim, how safe is Tollana?"
Narim grinned. "Far safer than Earth."
Hammond smiled, sitting back in his chair in satisfaction. "I can't guaruntee Dr. Jackson's presence, or Major Carter and Colonel O'Neill, but I can try."
"That is all I ask," Narim nodded his head. "What of Teal'c?"
"He is on Chulak."
"Then I will go to Chulak and talk with him. I will return in two days time, General Hammond."
Hammond nodded, and Janet stood as he rose to his feet. "We'll see you then Narim. And thank you."
"Thank you, General Hammond."
~o0o~
"It's been three months, Daniel," Sarah said gently.
"I know, Sarah."
"Why can't you talk to me? Tell me what happened?"
Daniel sighed, rolling away from her and staring up at the ceiling. "I was married, Sarah."
She was silent on her side of the bed, and Daniel knew that he'd hurt her. Again.
"You still love her." It wasn't a question.
"I always will."
He felt the bed moved as she got out, but he didn't look at her. He couldn't, not yet.
"Are you still going back to Cairo with me next week?" Sarah asked eventually, and he could hear her getting dressed.
He was silent.
"If you're not going I'm going to have to find a replacement."
"You mean you're going to ask Stephen before someone else grabs him," his words were cold and stinging, but she didn't deserve them. She hadn't done anything wrong.
"I don't even know why I tried," she snapped, marching over to him and glaring at him from the foot of the bed. He still loved the way her eyes flashed and her hair swirled when she was angry. "No, you know what? I do know, Daniel. I love you, and I don't expect you to love me but I expect you to have the decency to be honest with me."
He still didn't answer, just stared at her while she waited for an answer.
"What happened to you, Daniel? You're not the same-"
"No, I'm not. I've changed."
She snorted, turning to slip her jacket on over her slim shoulders. "Don't I know it. You never used to be so cynical. You never used to be so horrible!"
He flinched.
Yes, he was horrible.
Horrible, stupid, nasty, guilty.
"You better phone Stephen." His voice was dull.
She whipped around to face him, resignation on her features. "You know, I don't think-"
The shrill tones of his cell phone cut her off, and he reached over to answer it without a further glance.
[Dr. Jackson?]
"General Hammond?" he questioned disbelievingly.
[I heard you were back in America. Obviously the rumours were true.]
"Uh.. yes, Sir."
[Daniel, we need you at the SGC.]
He almost laughed. "That's what you said over three months ago, and Earth is still fine."
[Are you alone?]
"No, I'm not."
[We had a visit from the Tollan. They've got Skaara and they want you to act as a lawyer.]
Skaara. "Skaara?" he whispered hoarsely, his eyes stinging.
[Yes. Dr. Jackson?]
"I'll be there as soon as I can get a flight."
[There's a flight waiting for you already. Dr. Jackson-]
"I'm on my way, Sir."
[We'll see you soon then, Dr. Jackson.]
"Daniel?" Sarah asked, confusion clearly written on her features.
"I've got to go, Sarah."
"To where?"
"That doesn't matter. I've got to go."
"Daniel, you're scaring me."
"And I'm sorry about that, but I have to go fix what I screwed up a long time ago."
She frowned, all her anger and annoyance seemingly forgotten as she stood staring at him. She was so beautiful, and her eyes were deep.
"I'm sorry, Sarah."
She closed her eyes, and a tear dropped from the corner. "I'm losing you again, aren't I?"
No, she wasn't losing him again. He'd never been hers in the first place.
~o0o~
"We should have come up here ages ago," Sam sighed, falling back into the deckchair with a soft smile on her face.
The Colonel grinned at her, jerking his rod slightly and rocking his deckchair. "Told you the fishing was great."
She grinned. They had yet to catch anything, but it was perfect. The weather was behaving, the waters were still. everything was perfect. Even her chair rolled smoothly over the glass and into his cabin without complaint-
"Carter?"
"Sir?" She didn't open her eyes.
"There's a wasp on your cheek," he said softly.
She swallowed, keeping her eyes closed. "There is?"
"Uh huh. A big one."
"Sir, with respect, get it off!" she hissed.
Something brushed against her cheek, she heard a slight buzz and then it was quiet again.
"Is it gone?" she whispered. Why was she whispering?
"Yeah," his voice was low and rumbling, she could almost feel it. His fingers moved down along her cheek, brushing across her jawbone and trailing down her neck.
She drew in a sharp breath. "Colonel-"
"Shhh." he whispered, his breath washing over her cheek.
His lips touched hers and Sam forgot everything except the feel of his mouth against hers and the way his fingers were combing gently through her hair, pulling her against him while her hands reached up to touch his face, holding it carefully in her hands as they explored one another and-
"No!" she pulled away, opening her eyes and blinking quickly. "No."
"Carter?" He didn't let go, his hands still holding her head and his face still dangerously close to hers.
"No," she repeated, not making any move to let go of him herself. "We can't."
"Why not?" he demanded.
Why not? A million reasons flew through her head.
This was wrong.
They were friends.
He used to be her CO.
She was paralysed.
What if five years down the track he woke up one morning and decided that he didn't want someone who was only half good? Hell, she probably wouldn't even be able to. to. Her cheeks turned red and she jerked away from him, trying to calm her heartbeat.
"We can go slow if you want-"
"No."
"Carter?"
"We can't, Sir."
"So you've said," he smiled, but there was confusion in his eyes.
"I can't Sir. I can't."
"You can't what?"
She hesitated.
"I care about you, Carter."
"I know."
"And I'm pretty sure you care about me?"
She licked her lips. Cared about him? Of course she did. She'd been living with him for over three months, had him taking care of her for almost every single minute of that. Of course she cared about him.
"Carter?"
"I do."
"Then I don't see why we can't."
She narrowed her eyes. "What do you want, Sir?"
"I want you," he admitted, gazing at her. "Not just physically but."
Something akin to panic grappled for her heart. "No!"
He reached for her again, holding her hand and gently curling his fingers around hers. "Carter. Sam."
"Don't, Sir!" she begged.
"I'm not going to leave you. Not now, not ever."
"Things are fine they way they are!" she ignored him, trying to pull her hand away from his.
"We're together whether we like it or not, Carter. You know that as well as I do."
He had a point, she conceded. "Sir, I'm an invalid. I can't even do the dishes."
"The new house has a dishwasher," he pointed out blithely. "And it has ramps instead of stairs, and it has wide doorways."
She hesitated.
"Just give us a chance, Carter?" he begged, touching her cheek. She leaned into his caress without thinking, letting his fingers splay out against her skin and play with her hair. "Sam?"
"Okay," she whispered, closing her eyes again and letting his hand hold her. "Okay."
Her eyes flew open as he hauled her out of her chair and onto his lap, and she screamed as her momentum kept them going straight over the edge of his jetty and straight into the lake.
She couldn't swim, her legs were useless and flailing arms only succeeded in churning up the water. She panicked, trying to lift herself, trying to force herself upwards and towards air so the water in her lungs could be coughed up and replaced with oxygen.
A hand grabbed hold of her T Shirt and hauled her to the surface.
He was laughing.
The bastard was laughing as he held her, reeds stuck to his face and his clothes.
And then he was kissing her, her body crushed tight against his while his hands moved over her body and she moaned at the assault.
She gasped for breath as the broke apart, panting as she clutched at him, shivering with cold and excitement as he ran a hand up her back and just held her, savouring the feel of him in her arms.
Tenderly she kissed his neck, wrapping her arms around him and allowing him to carry her out of the lake and back up to the cabin.
~o0o~
The SGC had not changed. Then again, he had not been gone long enough for any significant changes to be made.
The biggest change, however, was the absence of SG-1 in the gate room to greet him upon his return.
"Welcome back, Teal'c."
He nodded his head, a glint of affection in his eye as he gazed up at where General Hammond had welcomed him from.
"Thank you, General Hammond."
"Dr. Jackson is on his way here as well," General Hammond continued, and Teal'c allowed a tiny smile of pleasure to touch his lips. He had missed Daniel Jackson, O'Neill and Major Carter. He had wondered frequently how they were faring, whether the situation was more pleasant than how it had been when they had parted last.
"Narim said he would be back tomorrow," General Hammond spoke as they walked to the briefing room together. "Until then you are most welcome on the base, but if you want to go topside you'll need an escort."
Teal'c had no need or desire to go 'topside'. The SGC was the place he remembered most fondly of Earth, and would always recall as his 'home'.
"I have news of the Goa'uld, General Hammond."
Hammond stopped, staring at him. Teal'c felt satisfied; he was still able to be of use to the Tau'ri even though he was no longer directly allied to them.
"Heru'ur and Anubis have both been informed of the Harcesis, and they are searching for the child.
Hammond nodded, aware of this already.
"I assisted Jacob Carter on an undercover mission for the Tok'ra several weeks ago. We infiltrated Sokar's numbers and were able to discover the time and strategies he was intending to employ against Heru'ur and the other system lords. We were able to defeat him, and destroy a significant number of his forces. However, Apophis-"
"Apophis?"
"He was prisoner on Netu, a prison world created by Sokar. When the Tok'ra attacked and defeated Sokar, Apophis escaped the prison and took Sokar's forces for his own. He now commands a small but fierce army that continues to grow."
They settled themselves at the briefing room table, and Teal'c felt the tug of sentimentality as he observed the familiar markings on the polished wood.
"How is your family?"
Teal'c smiled. "They are doing well. Rya'c is undergoing training with Master Bra'tac as we speak. He will become a great warrior one day."
Hammond smiled with paternal affection and nodded his agreement.
"What of O'Neill and Major Carter?"
The General sighed, a grimace of disappointment on his features. "We can't get hold of them. One of Jack's neighbours says that the two of them have gone up to his cabin."
Teal'c raised an eyebrow. O'Neill took Major Carter fishing?
"How is Major Carter?"
Hammond shrugged. "I'm not sure. They don't really see any of us all that often. They keep to themselves."
That was unusual, Teal'c thought, that both Major Carter and O'Neill would lose contact with all others except for one another.
"Her injury?"
"Still the same," Hammond hesitated.
"General Hammond?"
"There is a small chance that the Tollan can help us."
"They can heal Major Carter? Allow her to walk once again?"
"We don't know for certain, and we're not going to get her hopes up. But yes, Narim thinks there is a strong possibility of her being healed."
Teal'c nodded in satisfaction. That was good. Major Carter was not one who would be happy without being able to move.
"Are they not to attend the Triad as well?" he frowned, concerned.
"Yes, but we have to get hold of them. We're going to send a dispatch crew to go and get them asap. As soon as we find where Colonel O'Neill's cabin is actually situated. Apparently it's private listing."
Teal'c nodded, well aware of the pains O'Neill had taken to ensure his privacy at the cabin. It was his 'escape from all the crap' as he had told Teal'c once before leaving.
"I will go and greet Dr. Fraiser," Teal'c decided, rising to his feet.
"You do that. I know Major Ferretti and some of his crowd are working out in the gym if you feel like having a few bouts with them." There was a teasing glint in Hammond's eye, and Teal'c acknowledged it with one of his own. "I'll talk to you again later, Teal'c."
~o0o~
She was still asleep, her hair brushing softly against his cheek.
This was what life was about. Living was only good when there was a purpose. And Sam Carter was his purpose in life.
A grin spread his lips apart as he looked at her, lying so still in the crook of his arm, and worm pyjamas lending a softness and vulnerability to her face that he'd never seen before.
A noise disturbed him, and he frowned, confused.
Again, the firm and persistent rattle of someone knocking on his door. Their door.
Carefully he eased himself up from the bed, dropping a chaste kiss on her forehead before slipping out of the room and padded quietly down the hallway.
"Simmons!" Jack greeted, surprised at the sight of the man on his doorstep.
"Good morning, Sir."
"Lose the Sir, Graham. I'm retired."
"That's why I'm here." he shifted awkwardly. "Is Major Carter here?"
"Course." Jack stepped back, jerking his head to let the man enter. "You want to un-retire us again?" he asked somewhat scornfully before leading the way into the kitchen and lighting the gas stove, his feet cold on the wooden floor.
"Uh, not exactly, Sir."
"Not exactly?" he echoed, pulling three mugs out of the cupboard and tipping in large spoons of coffee. "Coffee?"
"No thanks, Sir."
"Darn, I've already put it in the mug," Jack shrugged carelessly, placing a pot of water on the flickering gas flames. "Do you like milk in yours?"
"Uh. yes."
"I'm afraid it'll have to be black, we're all out of milk."
"Oh. Okay," Simmons stuttered as Jack dumped the sugar into the mugs.
"No. You wanted to see me?"
"And Major Carter," Simmons added, nodding eagerly.
Jack's eyes narrowed. Was this guy still interested in Carter? "She's sleeping."
"It's about the SGC, Sir."
"When isn't it? Wait, don't tell me, you guys stuff up and you need me and Carter to fix it?"
"Not exactly, no Sir."
"Not exactly?" Jack repeated again.
"The Tollan contacted us."
Jack paused, surprised. "The Tollan? As in the vastly superior bunch of aliens dressed in silver body suits with vastly superior technology which they wouldn't share with us primitives?"
Simmons shifted awkwardly, gripping his hat tightly with his fingers. "That would be them, Sir."
"Oh." Jack dipped a finger in the water, checking its heat. "How're they doing?"
"Uh. not bad, Sir."
"That's good. Wouldn't want some vastly superior aliens needing our help, would we?"
He heard Simmons take a deep breath. "Actually, Sir, they do sort of need our help."
"They do?"
"Yes."
Jack sighed, raising an eyebrow. "Well, isn't that nice. They need our help."
"It's about an Abydonian, Sir. His name is Skaara."
Jack stopped joking. "Skaara?"
"Yes, Sir. Somehow he ended up on Tollana and he's asked for you and Dr. Jackson to attend as his lawyers."
"Lawyer?" Jack snorted, still gazing at Simmons in surprise.
"Yes. There's going to be a trial and you need to be there."
"What's the trial about?" Jack demanded, forgetting about the coffee. Skaara, on trial?
"To see who gets to keep the use of his body."
Oh.
"Shouldn't the owner get the use?" Jack asked slowly.
Simmons shrugged. "I don't know. My orders are to ask you to return and help Skaara, Sir."
Jack frowned, absently spinning the teaspoon in his fingers. "They do realise I can't go off-world, right? I mean, I can't leave Carter again, not after what happened last time we were on different planets."
Simmons shifted awkwardly, obviously uncomfortable with the idea of Jack and Carter being 'linked'. The poor guy probably wished it was him linked with Carter.
"I think she's going as well, Sir."
Jack's eyes nearly popped out of his head. "Carter? Going with?"
"Going with where?" Carter's voice intruded rudely on their conversation, and the whispering of her wheels as they glided smoothly over the floor seemed to sentence both Simmons and himself to silence. "Sir?"
"To Tollana, Major," Simmons managed, his voice strangely strangled.
Jack couldn't blame the guy; it wasn't everyday you saw Major Carter rolling around in her pyjama's. Well, he did see it everyday, but that wasn't the point.
"How is that possible?" she demanded, focusing on Simmons, "they don't have a Stargate."
"They do now, apparently," Simmons admitted. "Narim arrive on base two days ago. We've been trying to track the two of you down ever since then."
"And it took you this long?" Jack asked incredulously.
"We had to find the place as well, Sir. It's very well hidden."
Jack grinned proudly. Yes, it was well hidden, and he'd hoped to keep it that way.
"Why?" Carter asked curiously.
"Apparently they want my soliciting technique," Jack commented dryly, turning to find the water boiling on the stove. "Coffee, Carter?"
"Sure," she accepted the offer absently. "Soliciting?"
"Dr. Jackson and Colonel O'Neill have been asked to act as lawyers for Skaara," Simmons explained, obviously getting impatient.
"But he can't leave Earth," Carter argued, worry clearly evident on her face as she turned to him.
"You're going with, Major."
Her eyes widened, and Jack flinched as he saw the stubborn light settle in her blue eyes. "I'm not going back there, and that's final."
~o0o~
More as promised. And, again, if you send feedback you get another chapter ;) Anyways, thanks again. It's nearing the end now, I actually KNOW how I want the fic to end and what's gonna happen! LOL.
sharim
AUTHOR: Sharim
EMAIL: MissSharim@yahoo.com.au
CATEGORY: Action, Angst, Drama, Adventure.
PAIRING: Sam/Jack, Other
SPOILERS: Minor for: Children of the Gods, In the Line of Duty, The Nox, Tok'ra I & II, Cold Lazarus, Pretense, Serpent Song, Forever in a Day,
SEASON / SEQUEL: Post Fair Game,
RATING: PG
CONTENT WARNINGS: Violence.
SUMMARY: Sometimes, the price of freedom is siding with the enemy.
STATUS: Working on it!
ARCHIVE: Sam and Jack, Heliopolis, My site (when I stop slacking off).
DISCLAIMER: Stargate SG-1 and its characters are the property of Showtime/Viacom, MGM/UA, Double Secret Productions, and Gekko Productions. We have written this story for entertainment purposes only and no money whatsoever has exchanged hands. No copyright infringement is intended. The original characters, situations, and story are the property of the authors. Not to be archived without permission of the authors.
A/N: Due to my having 5 exams in the next coupla days (four in two days ARRRGGHH) I'm not going to have time to write/post very much, so this part is REAAAAAALLLLLLY long compared to the others. I hope you enjoy.
Ps if anyone has forgotten what's happened or wants to read it from scratch, then www.fanfiction.net under 'sharim' would be the place to find it, seeing as my website no longer exists ~withering glares at topcities~
Chapter Twenty-One
"All units are Earth side, General. There's no incoming signal either, General."
Hammond frowned, glancing down at the flashing computer screen before turning his gaze back to the iris. Thankfully they had the iris. Hammond shuddered to think what would have happened by now if that solid layer of metal wasn't present protecting them 24/7.
Solid?
He blinked, squinting at the iris. "Sergeant."
"The iris is losing integrity, Sir. I'm trying to-"
The iris wobbled, the metal seeming to move like a mirage in the desert heat.
"What the?" Hammond gazed down at the small orange creature daintily picking its way down the ramp, completely oblivious of the firearms carefully trained on it.
"It's a cat, Sir," Lieutenant Simmons announced.
"I can see that, Lieutenant!" Hammond barked. "How did a cat get through the iris?"
"It looks like Major Carter's cat," Simmons added. "A few years ago. She gave him to the Tollan Narim."
The Tollan. They had possessed the technology with which to travel through solid walls and the like. The first feelings of relief brushed at Hammond, but he wouldn't relax until he saw a friendly face step through onto the ramp.
With a final flicker, the iris expelled the tall figure that Hammond recognised as Narim.
"General Hammond, I am unfamiliar with Earth protocol in these matters. I sent Schrodinger so you would know a friend was coming," the Tollan explained, walking down the ramp and leaning over to quickly pick up the ginger cat.
"It's alright, Narim, the Tollan are welcome here. Units, stand down," Hammond ordered. "Just a minute son, I'll be right there."
Hammond entered the gateroom shortly after, taking in the slightly questioning look on the Tollan's face. "Is everything okay, Narim?"
The man blushed slightly. "I was wondering where Major Carter is. Is she currently off-world?"
"Uh.no, Narim, she's not. She's unavailable at the moment. Would you care to come this way please?"
"Yes, certainly. I was, however, hoping to speak with Colonel O'Neill. I have a message for him from our highest governing body."
"You do? Colonel O'Neill?"
"Yes. The Tollan Curia requests the presence of Colonel O'Neill and his team for Triad."
~o0o~
"Breakfast is ready!" Jack yelled up the stairs. "You ready?"
"Nearly."
Rolling his eyes, Jack placed the last waffle on the stack before heading towards the stairs.
"Colonel?"
"I'm coming, Carter. You know, I'm really looking forward to the day when we move into that new place with the ramps," he groused, thunking up the stairs towards her room.
"You're not the only one, Sir," she retorted as he entered her room and grinned 'hi'.
"Ready for your ride?"
She grinned, nodding, and he picked her up in a practised swoop before turning around and heading back downstairs, depositing her gently at the breakfast table.
"What are you doing today?" she asked, grabbing a waffle and dousing it in syrup.
He glanced at her surreptitiously. "Actually, I was thinking of going away for a few days."
She glanced up instantly, her pancakes forgotten. "Sir?"
"I haven't been near my cabin in almost a year, Carter, and I was thinking it's about time I went up there again."
"Oh," she turned back to her waffled, her face carefully guarded. "Have you phoned Susan?"
"Why would I phone her?" he asked, taking the syrup from her and attacking his own waffles with it.
"It's not like I can look after myself anymore, Sir," she reminded him pointedly, "and I'm not letting that other nurse near me."
"You mean Lauren?"
"Yes." Her eyes spat cold fury at him.
"You don't want to come with me then?"
"Of course I don't want her to look after me! The last time- Colonel?"
He grinned at her, almost laughing openly.
"Are you sure?"
"About what?"
"Wanting me to go up with you?"
"Course I am," he nodded. And he was. Carter was his life now. His best friend, his constant companion. Hell, he didn't even want to get a dog anymore, and that was a real compliment to her!
"What about the chair, Sir?" she asked softly, concern in her eyes.
He shrugged. "What about the chair?"
"I."
"The cabin is flat, Carter. No stairs, just flat. And the jetty is sturdy. There's a nice flat piece of land between the jetty and the cabin."
She nodded hesitantly.
"So you'll come?"
"Sure."
He grinned happily and continued to eat his waffles. "You're going to love the fishing."
~o0o~
"What exactly is a Triad, Narim?" General Hammond asked, glancing across at Janet.
"It is an ancient ceremony of justice. Quite honorable."
"Justice?" Janet questioned, studying the Tollan. "You mean it's like a trial?"
"I am not familiar with trial, Dr. Fraiser."
Janet frowned. "Uh. matters of law are decided there. Justice is delivered, sentencing takes place. There's a defence and a persecutor."
"Yes, it is similar."
"So why do you want SG-1 then?" General Hammond asked curiously, and Janet had to admit that she also felt curious about it.
Narim hesitated, reluctant to speak to them. "My message really is for Colonel O'Neill and his team, General Hammond."
"I understand that, Narim, but they're not here at the moment."
Again the Tollan hesitated, but then he nodded and spoke. "Some days ago there was a conflict with a Goa'uld mothership in Tollana's orbit. A death glider managed to survive the ion canon blast and crash-landed on Tollana, where the survivor was found and taken care of. The survivor is an Abydonian, by the name of Skaara. He has requested the presence of both Colonel O'Neill and Dr. Jackson to help him at the Triad."
"Skaara?" General Hammond clarified.
"Yes."
"Uh, excuse me," Janet interrupted. "I was under the impression that the Nox took you to their planet and that there was no Stargate on Tollana."
"That is correct. We have, however, corrected that. General Hammond, I must see Colonel O'Neill."
Janet winced, knowing that the news wasn't going to come easy to the Tollan.
"Narim."
"Are they still alive?"
The Tollan was perceptive; Janet gave him that much.
"Yes, they are alive. However, none of them are with the SGC any longer."
Narim's face fell. "But the Triad."
"I'm sorry, Narim. We could send another team through."
"No, that will not do. Skaara has requested the counsel of Dr. Jackson and Colonel O'Neill."
"Dr. Jackson no longer works for the SGC, Narim, but I believe he might return if we explain the circumstances," the General suggested thoughtfully.
"Colonel O'Neill?"
Hammond hesitated. "I'm afraid we can't allow him off-world, Narim."
"Why?"
"It's complicated, Narim. A medical condition."
Narim shrugged. "The Tollan could help. As a service to him for being of assistance."
Janet looked at Hammond. The Tollan could help.
"Narim. are you capable of dealing with spinal injuries?" Janet asked slowly, her mouth dry with anticipation.
"Perhaps. It depends on the severity."
"What if the spine wasn't broken, just the nerve damaged."
"Is movements of the arms inhibited?"
"No, just the legs. There's no feeling in them either."
Narim hesitated. "Perhaps. When there is no feeling it is not always possible to heal."
"Dr. Fraiser?" General Hammond asked curiously, and she could see the hope in his eyes as well.
"Even if they did heal her, General, she still couldn't come back to the SGC for the same reason the Colonel can't," she cautioned.
"At least shed have the use of her legs back," he countered.
"Could we do it?"
"Narim, how safe is Tollana?"
Narim grinned. "Far safer than Earth."
Hammond smiled, sitting back in his chair in satisfaction. "I can't guaruntee Dr. Jackson's presence, or Major Carter and Colonel O'Neill, but I can try."
"That is all I ask," Narim nodded his head. "What of Teal'c?"
"He is on Chulak."
"Then I will go to Chulak and talk with him. I will return in two days time, General Hammond."
Hammond nodded, and Janet stood as he rose to his feet. "We'll see you then Narim. And thank you."
"Thank you, General Hammond."
~o0o~
"It's been three months, Daniel," Sarah said gently.
"I know, Sarah."
"Why can't you talk to me? Tell me what happened?"
Daniel sighed, rolling away from her and staring up at the ceiling. "I was married, Sarah."
She was silent on her side of the bed, and Daniel knew that he'd hurt her. Again.
"You still love her." It wasn't a question.
"I always will."
He felt the bed moved as she got out, but he didn't look at her. He couldn't, not yet.
"Are you still going back to Cairo with me next week?" Sarah asked eventually, and he could hear her getting dressed.
He was silent.
"If you're not going I'm going to have to find a replacement."
"You mean you're going to ask Stephen before someone else grabs him," his words were cold and stinging, but she didn't deserve them. She hadn't done anything wrong.
"I don't even know why I tried," she snapped, marching over to him and glaring at him from the foot of the bed. He still loved the way her eyes flashed and her hair swirled when she was angry. "No, you know what? I do know, Daniel. I love you, and I don't expect you to love me but I expect you to have the decency to be honest with me."
He still didn't answer, just stared at her while she waited for an answer.
"What happened to you, Daniel? You're not the same-"
"No, I'm not. I've changed."
She snorted, turning to slip her jacket on over her slim shoulders. "Don't I know it. You never used to be so cynical. You never used to be so horrible!"
He flinched.
Yes, he was horrible.
Horrible, stupid, nasty, guilty.
"You better phone Stephen." His voice was dull.
She whipped around to face him, resignation on her features. "You know, I don't think-"
The shrill tones of his cell phone cut her off, and he reached over to answer it without a further glance.
[Dr. Jackson?]
"General Hammond?" he questioned disbelievingly.
[I heard you were back in America. Obviously the rumours were true.]
"Uh.. yes, Sir."
[Daniel, we need you at the SGC.]
He almost laughed. "That's what you said over three months ago, and Earth is still fine."
[Are you alone?]
"No, I'm not."
[We had a visit from the Tollan. They've got Skaara and they want you to act as a lawyer.]
Skaara. "Skaara?" he whispered hoarsely, his eyes stinging.
[Yes. Dr. Jackson?]
"I'll be there as soon as I can get a flight."
[There's a flight waiting for you already. Dr. Jackson-]
"I'm on my way, Sir."
[We'll see you soon then, Dr. Jackson.]
"Daniel?" Sarah asked, confusion clearly written on her features.
"I've got to go, Sarah."
"To where?"
"That doesn't matter. I've got to go."
"Daniel, you're scaring me."
"And I'm sorry about that, but I have to go fix what I screwed up a long time ago."
She frowned, all her anger and annoyance seemingly forgotten as she stood staring at him. She was so beautiful, and her eyes were deep.
"I'm sorry, Sarah."
She closed her eyes, and a tear dropped from the corner. "I'm losing you again, aren't I?"
No, she wasn't losing him again. He'd never been hers in the first place.
~o0o~
"We should have come up here ages ago," Sam sighed, falling back into the deckchair with a soft smile on her face.
The Colonel grinned at her, jerking his rod slightly and rocking his deckchair. "Told you the fishing was great."
She grinned. They had yet to catch anything, but it was perfect. The weather was behaving, the waters were still. everything was perfect. Even her chair rolled smoothly over the glass and into his cabin without complaint-
"Carter?"
"Sir?" She didn't open her eyes.
"There's a wasp on your cheek," he said softly.
She swallowed, keeping her eyes closed. "There is?"
"Uh huh. A big one."
"Sir, with respect, get it off!" she hissed.
Something brushed against her cheek, she heard a slight buzz and then it was quiet again.
"Is it gone?" she whispered. Why was she whispering?
"Yeah," his voice was low and rumbling, she could almost feel it. His fingers moved down along her cheek, brushing across her jawbone and trailing down her neck.
She drew in a sharp breath. "Colonel-"
"Shhh." he whispered, his breath washing over her cheek.
His lips touched hers and Sam forgot everything except the feel of his mouth against hers and the way his fingers were combing gently through her hair, pulling her against him while her hands reached up to touch his face, holding it carefully in her hands as they explored one another and-
"No!" she pulled away, opening her eyes and blinking quickly. "No."
"Carter?" He didn't let go, his hands still holding her head and his face still dangerously close to hers.
"No," she repeated, not making any move to let go of him herself. "We can't."
"Why not?" he demanded.
Why not? A million reasons flew through her head.
This was wrong.
They were friends.
He used to be her CO.
She was paralysed.
What if five years down the track he woke up one morning and decided that he didn't want someone who was only half good? Hell, she probably wouldn't even be able to. to. Her cheeks turned red and she jerked away from him, trying to calm her heartbeat.
"We can go slow if you want-"
"No."
"Carter?"
"We can't, Sir."
"So you've said," he smiled, but there was confusion in his eyes.
"I can't Sir. I can't."
"You can't what?"
She hesitated.
"I care about you, Carter."
"I know."
"And I'm pretty sure you care about me?"
She licked her lips. Cared about him? Of course she did. She'd been living with him for over three months, had him taking care of her for almost every single minute of that. Of course she cared about him.
"Carter?"
"I do."
"Then I don't see why we can't."
She narrowed her eyes. "What do you want, Sir?"
"I want you," he admitted, gazing at her. "Not just physically but."
Something akin to panic grappled for her heart. "No!"
He reached for her again, holding her hand and gently curling his fingers around hers. "Carter. Sam."
"Don't, Sir!" she begged.
"I'm not going to leave you. Not now, not ever."
"Things are fine they way they are!" she ignored him, trying to pull her hand away from his.
"We're together whether we like it or not, Carter. You know that as well as I do."
He had a point, she conceded. "Sir, I'm an invalid. I can't even do the dishes."
"The new house has a dishwasher," he pointed out blithely. "And it has ramps instead of stairs, and it has wide doorways."
She hesitated.
"Just give us a chance, Carter?" he begged, touching her cheek. She leaned into his caress without thinking, letting his fingers splay out against her skin and play with her hair. "Sam?"
"Okay," she whispered, closing her eyes again and letting his hand hold her. "Okay."
Her eyes flew open as he hauled her out of her chair and onto his lap, and she screamed as her momentum kept them going straight over the edge of his jetty and straight into the lake.
She couldn't swim, her legs were useless and flailing arms only succeeded in churning up the water. She panicked, trying to lift herself, trying to force herself upwards and towards air so the water in her lungs could be coughed up and replaced with oxygen.
A hand grabbed hold of her T Shirt and hauled her to the surface.
He was laughing.
The bastard was laughing as he held her, reeds stuck to his face and his clothes.
And then he was kissing her, her body crushed tight against his while his hands moved over her body and she moaned at the assault.
She gasped for breath as the broke apart, panting as she clutched at him, shivering with cold and excitement as he ran a hand up her back and just held her, savouring the feel of him in her arms.
Tenderly she kissed his neck, wrapping her arms around him and allowing him to carry her out of the lake and back up to the cabin.
~o0o~
The SGC had not changed. Then again, he had not been gone long enough for any significant changes to be made.
The biggest change, however, was the absence of SG-1 in the gate room to greet him upon his return.
"Welcome back, Teal'c."
He nodded his head, a glint of affection in his eye as he gazed up at where General Hammond had welcomed him from.
"Thank you, General Hammond."
"Dr. Jackson is on his way here as well," General Hammond continued, and Teal'c allowed a tiny smile of pleasure to touch his lips. He had missed Daniel Jackson, O'Neill and Major Carter. He had wondered frequently how they were faring, whether the situation was more pleasant than how it had been when they had parted last.
"Narim said he would be back tomorrow," General Hammond spoke as they walked to the briefing room together. "Until then you are most welcome on the base, but if you want to go topside you'll need an escort."
Teal'c had no need or desire to go 'topside'. The SGC was the place he remembered most fondly of Earth, and would always recall as his 'home'.
"I have news of the Goa'uld, General Hammond."
Hammond stopped, staring at him. Teal'c felt satisfied; he was still able to be of use to the Tau'ri even though he was no longer directly allied to them.
"Heru'ur and Anubis have both been informed of the Harcesis, and they are searching for the child.
Hammond nodded, aware of this already.
"I assisted Jacob Carter on an undercover mission for the Tok'ra several weeks ago. We infiltrated Sokar's numbers and were able to discover the time and strategies he was intending to employ against Heru'ur and the other system lords. We were able to defeat him, and destroy a significant number of his forces. However, Apophis-"
"Apophis?"
"He was prisoner on Netu, a prison world created by Sokar. When the Tok'ra attacked and defeated Sokar, Apophis escaped the prison and took Sokar's forces for his own. He now commands a small but fierce army that continues to grow."
They settled themselves at the briefing room table, and Teal'c felt the tug of sentimentality as he observed the familiar markings on the polished wood.
"How is your family?"
Teal'c smiled. "They are doing well. Rya'c is undergoing training with Master Bra'tac as we speak. He will become a great warrior one day."
Hammond smiled with paternal affection and nodded his agreement.
"What of O'Neill and Major Carter?"
The General sighed, a grimace of disappointment on his features. "We can't get hold of them. One of Jack's neighbours says that the two of them have gone up to his cabin."
Teal'c raised an eyebrow. O'Neill took Major Carter fishing?
"How is Major Carter?"
Hammond shrugged. "I'm not sure. They don't really see any of us all that often. They keep to themselves."
That was unusual, Teal'c thought, that both Major Carter and O'Neill would lose contact with all others except for one another.
"Her injury?"
"Still the same," Hammond hesitated.
"General Hammond?"
"There is a small chance that the Tollan can help us."
"They can heal Major Carter? Allow her to walk once again?"
"We don't know for certain, and we're not going to get her hopes up. But yes, Narim thinks there is a strong possibility of her being healed."
Teal'c nodded in satisfaction. That was good. Major Carter was not one who would be happy without being able to move.
"Are they not to attend the Triad as well?" he frowned, concerned.
"Yes, but we have to get hold of them. We're going to send a dispatch crew to go and get them asap. As soon as we find where Colonel O'Neill's cabin is actually situated. Apparently it's private listing."
Teal'c nodded, well aware of the pains O'Neill had taken to ensure his privacy at the cabin. It was his 'escape from all the crap' as he had told Teal'c once before leaving.
"I will go and greet Dr. Fraiser," Teal'c decided, rising to his feet.
"You do that. I know Major Ferretti and some of his crowd are working out in the gym if you feel like having a few bouts with them." There was a teasing glint in Hammond's eye, and Teal'c acknowledged it with one of his own. "I'll talk to you again later, Teal'c."
~o0o~
She was still asleep, her hair brushing softly against his cheek.
This was what life was about. Living was only good when there was a purpose. And Sam Carter was his purpose in life.
A grin spread his lips apart as he looked at her, lying so still in the crook of his arm, and worm pyjamas lending a softness and vulnerability to her face that he'd never seen before.
A noise disturbed him, and he frowned, confused.
Again, the firm and persistent rattle of someone knocking on his door. Their door.
Carefully he eased himself up from the bed, dropping a chaste kiss on her forehead before slipping out of the room and padded quietly down the hallway.
"Simmons!" Jack greeted, surprised at the sight of the man on his doorstep.
"Good morning, Sir."
"Lose the Sir, Graham. I'm retired."
"That's why I'm here." he shifted awkwardly. "Is Major Carter here?"
"Course." Jack stepped back, jerking his head to let the man enter. "You want to un-retire us again?" he asked somewhat scornfully before leading the way into the kitchen and lighting the gas stove, his feet cold on the wooden floor.
"Uh, not exactly, Sir."
"Not exactly?" he echoed, pulling three mugs out of the cupboard and tipping in large spoons of coffee. "Coffee?"
"No thanks, Sir."
"Darn, I've already put it in the mug," Jack shrugged carelessly, placing a pot of water on the flickering gas flames. "Do you like milk in yours?"
"Uh. yes."
"I'm afraid it'll have to be black, we're all out of milk."
"Oh. Okay," Simmons stuttered as Jack dumped the sugar into the mugs.
"No. You wanted to see me?"
"And Major Carter," Simmons added, nodding eagerly.
Jack's eyes narrowed. Was this guy still interested in Carter? "She's sleeping."
"It's about the SGC, Sir."
"When isn't it? Wait, don't tell me, you guys stuff up and you need me and Carter to fix it?"
"Not exactly, no Sir."
"Not exactly?" Jack repeated again.
"The Tollan contacted us."
Jack paused, surprised. "The Tollan? As in the vastly superior bunch of aliens dressed in silver body suits with vastly superior technology which they wouldn't share with us primitives?"
Simmons shifted awkwardly, gripping his hat tightly with his fingers. "That would be them, Sir."
"Oh." Jack dipped a finger in the water, checking its heat. "How're they doing?"
"Uh. not bad, Sir."
"That's good. Wouldn't want some vastly superior aliens needing our help, would we?"
He heard Simmons take a deep breath. "Actually, Sir, they do sort of need our help."
"They do?"
"Yes."
Jack sighed, raising an eyebrow. "Well, isn't that nice. They need our help."
"It's about an Abydonian, Sir. His name is Skaara."
Jack stopped joking. "Skaara?"
"Yes, Sir. Somehow he ended up on Tollana and he's asked for you and Dr. Jackson to attend as his lawyers."
"Lawyer?" Jack snorted, still gazing at Simmons in surprise.
"Yes. There's going to be a trial and you need to be there."
"What's the trial about?" Jack demanded, forgetting about the coffee. Skaara, on trial?
"To see who gets to keep the use of his body."
Oh.
"Shouldn't the owner get the use?" Jack asked slowly.
Simmons shrugged. "I don't know. My orders are to ask you to return and help Skaara, Sir."
Jack frowned, absently spinning the teaspoon in his fingers. "They do realise I can't go off-world, right? I mean, I can't leave Carter again, not after what happened last time we were on different planets."
Simmons shifted awkwardly, obviously uncomfortable with the idea of Jack and Carter being 'linked'. The poor guy probably wished it was him linked with Carter.
"I think she's going as well, Sir."
Jack's eyes nearly popped out of his head. "Carter? Going with?"
"Going with where?" Carter's voice intruded rudely on their conversation, and the whispering of her wheels as they glided smoothly over the floor seemed to sentence both Simmons and himself to silence. "Sir?"
"To Tollana, Major," Simmons managed, his voice strangely strangled.
Jack couldn't blame the guy; it wasn't everyday you saw Major Carter rolling around in her pyjama's. Well, he did see it everyday, but that wasn't the point.
"How is that possible?" she demanded, focusing on Simmons, "they don't have a Stargate."
"They do now, apparently," Simmons admitted. "Narim arrive on base two days ago. We've been trying to track the two of you down ever since then."
"And it took you this long?" Jack asked incredulously.
"We had to find the place as well, Sir. It's very well hidden."
Jack grinned proudly. Yes, it was well hidden, and he'd hoped to keep it that way.
"Why?" Carter asked curiously.
"Apparently they want my soliciting technique," Jack commented dryly, turning to find the water boiling on the stove. "Coffee, Carter?"
"Sure," she accepted the offer absently. "Soliciting?"
"Dr. Jackson and Colonel O'Neill have been asked to act as lawyers for Skaara," Simmons explained, obviously getting impatient.
"But he can't leave Earth," Carter argued, worry clearly evident on her face as she turned to him.
"You're going with, Major."
Her eyes widened, and Jack flinched as he saw the stubborn light settle in her blue eyes. "I'm not going back there, and that's final."
~o0o~
More as promised. And, again, if you send feedback you get another chapter ;) Anyways, thanks again. It's nearing the end now, I actually KNOW how I want the fic to end and what's gonna happen! LOL.
sharim