The Report, part 17

Time seemed to stand still: Carter's jaw slowly dropped, her eyes wide. The colour drained from Agent Goodman's face. Deputy Gerard looked like a deer in headlights. Sergeant Jackson looked confused. A thin smile crept across Chavez's lips.

"Good." President Ryan continued, "Then this should be easier: you should be receiving a fax any moment now. I want you to read it and carefully note the signature. While you are doing that, I would like to talk to Major Chavez." Gerard handed the phone back before reaching across the desk to grab the sheet of paper that the fax machine had just spat out.

"Sir." Chavez held the phone to his ear.

"How'd the mission go?" The man on the other end sounded relaxed.

"We got him back; it was touch and go for a while, but it worked out in the end. Sir, we have an NID agent here with a warrant for John's arrest for breach of National Security."

"Yes, Kinsey thinks he can out-maneuver me. I don't think he realizes how well respected John is. As soon as John is free, I want you to come back to Washington. Bring the NID agent with you."

"Yes sir."

Gerard returned, fax in hand, "Sergeant Jackson, would you please go and release General Clark."

The State Trooper nodded, disappearing back trough the door he had come through.

"Now just a minute; he's my prisoner…" Agent Goodman raised a hand to object.

"Don't play games with me boy, I don't like it!" Gerard's eyes narrowed, and he handed over the fax, "John Kelly was awarded a full Presidential Pardon three years ago."

Sergeant Jackson returned, followed by Clark. The General reached for Chavez's phone, lifting it to his ear, "Sir, I specifically didn't want to involve you in this."

"John, you've known me to long to think that I wouldn't find out about something like this." The President laughed, "Anyway, I've wanted something I could use to nail Kinsey's hide to the wall with for a long time, and he's just handed it to me. I want you and Ding back in DC as fast as you can. I'll see you then."

"Goodbye sir." Clark put the phone down, then turned to Agent Goodman, "And you are?"

"This here is your friendly local NID agent; he'll be coming with us back to DC, Presidents personal invitation." Chavez smiled as he looked at his superior, "What we going to do about Kinsey?"

"We leave that one up to the boss." Clark smiled.

The main door opened, admitting a flustered General Hammond, and a slightly miffed Colonel O'Neill.

"Are you ok?" Hammond looked at Clark.

"I'm fine, just a little mix up." Clark nodded, "We'll be needing a plane to take us back to DC: NID Agent Goodman has some explaining to do."

"This has been a long day." O'Neill sank into the both seat at O'Malley's.

"It has been no longer than any other day on this planet." Teal'c looked at him, his hat pulled down over his tattoo,

O'Neill shook his head, "You really need to work on that sarcasm T, 'cause you've still got a lot to learn."

"So," Carter took a swig from her beer, "what do you thinks going to happen to Senator Kinsey?"

"Won't he be arrested?" Jonas looked round.

"In a perfect world, yes, but he has to much influence for that." O'Neill shook his head, "He'll probably get a slap on the wrist."

Carter shrugged, "I don't know: Major Chavez was very upset, and I don't think General Clark is the forgiving kind."

O'Neill smiled, "What ever happens, Kinsey isn't going to end up as our new boss."

To Be Continued…