Chapter 3

Upon reaching Stargate Command Shay was immediately subjected to a long bout of tests to make sure she wasn't a Gua'ould and didn't carry any diseases. When she was done, the doctor reported the results to General Hammond and SG1.

"Well, as far as I can tell, she isn't a Gua'ould and she isn't carrying any viruses."

"What else can you tell us about this girl Doc?" Jack asked

"Aside from that, not much. She seems to be a perfectly healthy sixteen year old for all she has scars to rival yours Colonel."

"Scars?"

"Yes, it seems our friend has really been through the wringer. Old bullet wounds and what look like staff weapon blasts as well as broken bones, healed of course, and any number of other wounds. She has a very recent cut on her leg that really should have been stitched and other scrapes and bruises at various stages of healing."

"I believe Shay Morgan is much less fragile that she appears." Teal'c commented

SG1 looked at each other with new respect for the girl. Each of them had their own share of the types of wounds the Doctor had described and knew full well what she must have gone through to get them. "Wait a minute," Sam said, suddenly startled by the math she was doing in her head. "You said she was sixteen years old?"

"Yes, She says that's how old she is and I can't find anything to suggest otherwise."

"What are you getting at Major?" The General asked.

Daniel caught on to Sam's train of thought. "She said she had been travelling for three years and the disks she gave me contained three years worth of dated reports," Daniel had a sympathetic look on his face. "She must be a child genius. That would explain how she picked up those languages so quickly and why she was chosen to go exploring for her 'boss'. Some one as young as her would adapt quickly and being exceptionally bright would be an added bonus for someone wanting to exploit her"

"I knew you would figure me out sooner or later." Shay cut in having apparently been eavesdropping. "I have always been really quick. It really bothers some people, or at least it used to." Shay stood in the doorway. In the jungle she had looked to be around twenty-five and very strong. Now, standing there in her hospital gown, with the gouge in her leg and the bruising on her ankle clearly visible, Shay barely looked old enough to drive. "I just need to go to the bathroom, can someone show me where it is?"

"I'll show you," Sam said. Everyone noticed her slight limp as the two walked away. When Sam asked where the injury had come from Shay explained.

"You know those boots I was wearing? I just got those the day before I met you. I was wearing sandals until I fell through a hole at that last planet. That's where the cut and the sprain came from. The boots were supporting me earlier and that's why I didn't limp. Do you think I can get a shower when we get back?"

"I think so. That is, If the Doctor's done with you."

It turned out that Shay did get her shower as well as a room to use until she left. While she was freshening up, SG1 was debriefed by General Hammond. There wasn't much for them to tell as their exploration had been cut short by Jack's mishap with the spider.

"Someone should probably go back and make contact with those natives and it would be nice to learn what was being mined there. I'll send SG teams 9 and 11. In the meantime I want you four to learn all you can from our new friend. I need to know whether this 'boss' of hers is a threat or not."

Shay joined them a few minutes later and repeated her story for the General's benefit as well as for the record. Then she made another copy of her reports for the General to include in his own report. When all that was taken care of, the meeting turned to decisions about what was in store next for Shay.

"Well, young lady, what exactly did you have in mind when you asked to come here?" General Hammond asked Shay.

"I have been away from home for so long I just don't know where to start."

"Maybe we could start by looking up your family. They must be worried about you…" Sam broke off when she noticed Shay shaking her head

"My family isn't here. This isn't my home. I just wanted to come with you because I knew… when I saw SG1 in the forest… that this place is like my home and I miss it so much…" Shay broke off, looking confused and a little scared. "I don't know how to explain it so you understand. I just wanted to be on Earth again. I don't care which Earth anymore." Tears were forming in her eyes. She wasn't making much sense. "I guess I don't know what…. You all have been so nice… I don't know what I should explain… what I shouldn't…" The tears came trickling down her cheeks as she gave one huge sob and seemed to cave in on herself.

Jack and Daniel seemed to panic slightly at Shay's sudden breakdown. General Hammond and Teal'c seemed confused. The girl had seemed so strong and capable before but now her youth was obvious. Sam surprised everyone by taking the girl into her arms and holding her. "Shush now, it's okay. You're safe now. Shush." Sam was muttering comforting phrases into the girls hair. "It's okay now. You're safe now and everything will be fine. You don't have to make any decisions right now. Just take your time."

The men, all feeling rather uncomfortable and seeming to realize that the girl needed some space, left the conference room and waited in the hall for Sam. Both girls emerged about twenty minutes later. Shay, still red faced and slightly disheveled, looked much younger than her actual age. Sam, on the other hand, looked warm and motherly. Sam hugged the girl to her as they exited the room and then sent her down the hall. "The washroom is on the right down there. Come back here when you're ready." Sam told her.

"What was that all about?" Jack asked Sam when Shay was out of earshot.

"She was overwhelmed." Sam told them. "It's like she has had to keep all her feelings bottled for the last three years so that she could continue to function. Any sadness or fears that she might have felt she has ignored all this time so that she wouldn't lose it in a possibly dangerous situation. I guess she feels safe enough here to be herself so all of that emotion just sort of hit her all at once." Sam's sigh was quiet. "You know, she is only sixteen years old. Emotionally at least, she has never had much chance to grow up. Instead she was thrown into a bad situation and all of a sudden she was in the face of real danger."

"I wonder if there is anything we can do to help her." Daniel said.

"I don't know but I am sure going to find out." Sam replied, her voice colored with anger on the girl's behalf.

Shay found the team waiting for her in back in the conference room. For the most part, no one mentioned her breakdown. Everyone seemed understanding of her situation. As she sat down Sam asked, "Are you feeling better now?"

Blushing, she replied "Yes, much better. Thank you."

"General Hammond, I have a suggestion." Daniel said.

"Yes, Dr. Jackson?"

"Well, it seems to me, that since Shay is not from around here, someone should accompany her on a tour of the area outside of the base. That was she could get a feel for the planet and not have to make any decisions just yet."

"That is a great idea, Daniel," Sam looked at Shay. "I'd be happy to drive you into town and show you around."

Shay seemed to perk up at the suggestion. "That sounds like fun!"

"Good suggestion. While you two are gone we can start going over those files you gave me and see if we have any questions for you." Daniel wore a faraway look that made everyone else feel he was already engrossed in those records in spirit if not physically yet.

"Well if that's all settled, I think this debriefing is over." General Hammond said. "I suggest you all be here at 0900 hours tomorrow morning and we'll compare notes."

As they left the conference room Sam told Shay "You should go get ready I need to change into civilian clothes. How about I pick you up in the mess hall in about half an hour?"

"Okay, see you then Sam."