Disclaimer: Not mine, I just love em heaps.
Author's Notes: Okay, I've changed the end to a degree. Carter would have a hissy cry fit, I didn't like it. Plus chapter 12 needed the mandatory infirmary scene.
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THREE MONTHS LATER:
Sam Carter sat in the briefing room and twisted the paper under her hands. The General was speaking but she was hardly listening. She'd only just returned to active duty after her kidnapping and the medical procedure to remove the Nanites. The procedure had been a complete success in the fact that it removed the Nanites. She had however had a precarious blood pressure since, not to mention the headaches.
Focussing back on the General she forced herself to assimilate the last of his speech to her.
.....Verdict came back as guilty. Patrice Conrad has been given a sentence for grievous bodily harm of one year. Wholly suspended. She was not charged with kidnapping, as it was testified that she did not commit the actual kidnapping. She was also not charged with false imprisonment nor attempted murder or trafficking of human life due to the classified nature. I'm sorry Major, the President ordered that any sensitive material be suppressed. The Major nodded.
Thank you General.
Dismissed Major. Sam stood to walk out. And Major?
Yes Sir?
Have you spoken to anyone about your kidnapping. Her kidnapping, it still sounded wrong. She supposed it would always sound wrong. In essence it was wrong. Being an Air Force Major she was beyond wrong. She realised the General was waiting.
No Sir, however Dr. Fraiser has insisted I make a time with Dr. Mackenzie.
Make sure you do. The Major nodded and left the room. She walked quickly toward the lift and punched the button. Her foot began tapping on it's own as she waited, it had started doing that in the last few weeks. The doors opened with aping and Sam sighed with relief to see an empty lift in front of her.
When the doors pinged open again, she was on the top level. Pulling out her ID, she headed out to the surface. She needed air, she desperately needed space and air. Turning towards the tree line she began to walk. She hiked up the mountain for a way and came to a clearing space. Crouching she sat on a fallen log and stared off. The sky was bluer in Australia she decided, Sam remembered seeing it as they finally left, two weeks after her near brush with the inevitable.
There was a crunching of leaves and brittle pine needles. Turning in the quiet the Major saw a large ex-jaffa standing behind her.
Major Carter. Are you alright? He asked her. Five words. Five words that so many people had asked her in the last three months, all the time to begin with then less and less. She smiled weakly.
Yes, no. I don't know. I thought I was. I thought I was okay. It's been three months Teal'c. The jaffa was silent for a moment.
Did you expect that three months time would be enough for you to recover from your abduction?
I suppose Teal'c. She didn't even get a jail sentence. I should've killed her when I had the chance.
Why did you not?
Couldn't do it. Just like I couldn't kill Jonas on that planet. Guess I'm weak. There are some things the military can train outta of you.
You had the chance Major Carter. Was it that you were tempted by her offer? She shook her head.
I'd be lying if I said no. But I could never have done that to Jolinar or Martouf. Plus I'd never really be normal. Rising from the log she turned to walk back to base. Teal'c stood a moment after her and followed closely as they headed down. The sun was setting now, a dazzle of red and purple. It had already been late afternoon when they headed out. I suppose I should have known when I started work here I'd never know normal again. Wishful thinking Teal'c.
Teal'c stopped a short way from the entrance to the facility, close but out of hearing.
Do not ever doubt yourself Major Carter. You are a most capable warrior and I would trust you to fight beside me in any battle. I do not think the fact that you did not kill Patrice Conrad as a weakness. But part of the uniqueness that creates you. Sam looked down for a moment thinking, she glanced up at the tall alien in the fading light and smiled.
Thanks Teal'c. They both turned and walked back into the facility. Sam hadn't told them about the buyer'. She now knew that there would always be someone wanting what wasn't theirs. The others needn't know.
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It was still possible, his contact Patrice Conrad had failed on delivery but the woman was still alive. She still existed, whilst she existed, so did his information and opportunities. He could wait a while longer, it was not a pressing matter. Better than he find someone more professional. Pressing a button he spoke to his assistant.
Email Patrice Conrad, tell her congratulations on the suspended sentence, however we no longer require her services. And find me a contact that can get to the elusive Major.
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Finished. Nym - 22/03/03 Adjusted 28/03/03
And it is completed. Many many thanks to me Beta's, and also all my reviewers. You support is always appreciated. nym_w@hotmail.com
