CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN: REELING HIM IN
Tuesday morning they had another class, this time for officers. Vicky let Rebecca Anderson do the demonstration with Teal'c. Things went pretty much as the previous afternoon, but because there were fewer female officers it went a little faster.
Jack had found Carter in Vicky's lab working on some video equipment. "Whatch doing Carter?"
Sam jumped and looked up at the Colonel a little guilty, "Sir, you startled me."
"Sorry, perfectly natural to be jumpy with everything going on and all. And you didn't answer my question."
"What question, Sir?"
"What are you doing, Carter?" He looked are her curiously.
"Umm...I'm getting these surveillance cameras ready. We're going to put them in the woods topside for added security."
"Good idea. Carry on, survail."
"Umm...yes, Sir, "and she gave him a nervous smile as he turned to leave.
//oh, she's definitely up to something\\
//crap, he suspects I'm up to something\\
~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~
Jack went to Daniel's office next. Daniel saw him and brought up another web page that he had minimized for just such and occasion. "Danny, what are you doing?"
"Oh, the usual, Jack, research."
"Research on what?"
"The usual, rocks."
"Artifacts."
"Hmm?"
"They're called artifacts, Danny."
"Yeah, right, artifacts. Did you need something?"
"Nope, just dropped by to see how you were doing."
"I'm just great, Jack. You?"
"I'm great, too. Well, carry on, research." Jack looked at him oddly before he left.
//He's up to something, too\\
//He knows I'm up to something, but I can't tell him who I think is the attacker. Jack might do something stupid like kill him\\
~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~
Jack caught up with Vicky just after she had showered. "Hey, what are you up to?"
She linked arms with him, "gave the female officers a class in "Kick The Pervert's Ass" and I thought I'd grab something to eat before Sam and I go topside to install some security cameras."
"I'll go to the commissary and then help you with the cameras."
//shit, no way is he going to let me be bait\\ "Sure, I'll just stop by my lab for something, I'll meet you there."
//her, too\\
When Vicky went to her lab she called the General, "Uncle George, I need your help."
"Sure, honey, what do you need?"
Taking a deep breath she said, "we're pretty sure we know who the attacker is but we have no proof so I am going to set myself up as bait and Jack suspects something so I need you to come up with something for him to do in about half an hour."
"Vicky, I don't you putting yourself in any danger."
"I know, Uncle George, but I'm the best one for the job and I'll have plenty of backup. But you know that there is no way that Jack will let me do it if he finds out."
There was a long enough silence that she thought he was going to refuse. "Alright, but you be damn careful."
"I promise."
"And Vicky?"
"Yes?"
"You get that son of a bitch."
"Bet on it."
She ran most of the way to the commissary so that she was just a couple of minutes behind Jack. They had eaten when Hammond Paged Jack. He went to the phone on the wall for about two minutes before he came back. "The General came up with an idea of going through the personnel files of anyone who was transferred here within the last year. Since the files are confidential I'm going to have to help him. I won't be able to help you with the cameras."
"That's OK, Teal'c will help us."
He looked at her very seriously and said, "Vicky, I know that you can take care of yourself, but please be careful."
"I promise, I won't be more than ten feet from Teal'c at any time." Feeling somewhat better he leaned over and gave her a light kiss before he left.
//oh boy, my favorite, paperwork. If I didn't know better she had something to do with this but she wasn't far enough behind me to set something up\\
On his way to the General's office he passed Ferretti and several Marines at the armory. "Ferretti, what are you guys doing."
The Major looked at him for a second before replying, "we're going to search topside for any more clues and sweep the area to make sure no one is hiding up there."
"Good idea. Listen, Vicky and Carter will be up there putting up some new cameras, I would appreciate it if you would keep an eye on them."
"Sure, Jack, no problem."
Feeling a lot better, Jack slapped him on the back and went on his way.
"Geez, Ferretti, I thought you were going to piss your pants."
"I might still, you, too when he finds out we let his wife act as bait for a psycho."
~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~
As Sam and Vicky were signing out to go topside Vicky got in one more dig at Martin. "We're going to put up more cameras because, obviously, you can't be counted to do your job right."
Martin ground his teeth but said nothing. //bitch, you'll pay for that\\
Teal'c led Ferretti and the others up through the access tunnels so that their suspect wouldn't know that they had left the base. They met the women and picked their spot for the trap. They had set up a couple of cameras to make it appear that Cater and O'Neill really working.
Everything was going according to plan until the inevitable screw up. Not a fatal one, just one to make one very pissed off Colonel.
~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~
General Hammond and Colonel O'Neill were setting at opposite ends of the conference room table with piles of folders around when Colonel Schmidt passed by. Seeing only the General from the doorway he said, "is Captain O'Neill topside? I just saw Major Martin leave. I hope that hey are set up, I wouldn't want her in danger."
Hammond's head whipped up and he stared at Jack. /shit\\
"SON OF A BITCH, GEORGE! How could you let her place herself in danger?" He went flying out of the room and almost ran down Alex. "And you! What the hell were you thinking? After everything that she has been through?"
Hammond picked up the phone and called the security checkout, "this is General Hammond, and under no circumstances is Colonel O'Neill to leave the base."
"Sir?"
"You heard what I said."
"Do I have to shoot him?"
"No, dammit, you don't shoot him! Restrain him and if yoou have to Zat him."
"Sir, yes, Sir!" The SF was very relieved, he really didn't want to shoot the Colonel and he sure as hell didn't want to have to restrain him by himself.
~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~
At the security checkout two SF's were pointing P-90s at a very, very pissed Colonel. "Let me through, that's an order, and I know you won't shoot me."
"I'm afraid I can't do that, General Hammonds orders."
"You don't' understand, my WIFE is up there acting as bait for that bastard!"
The two SF's looked at each other, they understood, both of them were married, but orders were orders. "I'm sorry, Sir, we can't do that."
"Jack started to move towards them when he heard a voice behind him, "Sir, they might not shoot you but I WILL Zat you."
"Damn, he would, too, because it would do no permanent damage\
Hammond and Schmidt came running up, "Colonel O'Neill, stand down."
Jack practically had tears in his eyes, "George, if anything happens to her..."
"Jack, she is very protected. Do you think for a minute I would let her do this if I didn't make sure she was protected? She really was the best one for the job."
O'Neill bent over with his hands on his legs for a minute then rubbed both of his hands over his face. "I know, it's just..."
"Jack, we'll wait here and as soon as we hear that they have him we'll go up there."
~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~
Vicky had some equipment on the ground pretending to be working. Occasionally she would here a double click on the radio indicating that their target had passed one of the Marines. As the slicks same closer together she knew he was coming close. She signaled Sam who called in a loud voice, as to make it appear that they were farther apart, "I'm going to head over this way, Vicky."
"OK, Sam, when I'm done with this one I'll head in the other direction..." She continued to mess with the equipment, pretending to have trouble with the wiring. She heard his in the brush near her and could feel him watching her. As brave as she liked to make out that she was, she was scared shitless. She knew that she was well protected, especially by Teal'c, but the bastard could do some serious damage if he had a knife, or worse yet, a gun. Hopefully he was hoping to just beat her up with his hands, and then she would kick his ass.
He stepped into the clearing and she pretended not to notice. "You think you're hot shit, don't you, Bitch?" She looked up and let a little of the fear she was feeling to show on her face.
"What are you doing here, Major?"
"I've come to teach you a lesson."
She stood, dropped the camera and started to back away. What he didn't know was that she was leading him closer to Teal'c. "What do you mean?"
"What's the matter? Not so damn full of yourself now, are you? You're just like all the other bitches."
"Like Chang?"
"Like her and all the others. They're to stupid to complain when I was done with them, or maybe to smart. My word against theirs, who would be believed?"
He lunged at her but she easily dodged and delivered a spin kick right to his head. Her combat boots made a very satisfying sound against his head.
//that's gotta hurt\\ Ferretti snickered to himself from a nearby tree.
As Martin fell forward Teal'c reach out and grabbed him before he hit the ground. He brought the Major's face to his and smiled, "I believe."
Ferretti signaled, "That's it, we got the bastard." And he climbed down from his perch.
Major Martin sneered at them, "You've got nothing on me."
Sam and two Marines stepped into the clearing with video cameras, "guess again, scumbag."
They heard someone crashing through the bushes and Jack burst into the clearing. Teal'c quickly punched Martin in the stomach and handed him off to Vicky so that he could grab O'Neill before he attacked the Major. "O'Neill, you must not strike him. We have all the evidence we need to convict him and he is not worth you throwing away your career.
Jack held onto him for a minute before he relaxed and said, "your right, T, he isn't worth it."
Ferretti was leading the Major back in handcuffs and had to pass Jack. Jack clenched his jaw and gave Ferretti a furious look.
//I'll resign my commission and join the circus. I'll be a clown; he'll never find me under all that paint\\
Teal'c followed them and Vicky stood at full attention. She and Jack stared at each other while the others left to give them privacy so that Jack could yell at his wife. While they were waiting for the others to get out of earshot they heard Ferretti shout, "Damn, he's escaping."
"No, I'm not..."
Twang, they heard the unmistakable sound of a Zat.
"Teal'c would you give me a hand and carry him?"
Thump! "Geez, Teal'c you hit his head on a tree."
"How careless of me, I will endeavor to be more careful."
And off they went with the occasional thump followed by laughter. Jack and Vicky gave each other a little smile at the guys getting revenge on the Major.
When he was sure they were alone, Jack walker closer to Vicky and stood looking at her seriously. She could see his pain and anger but she said nothing because anything she did say would just make things worse.
After a few minutes he let out a long sigh, "Vicky I am very proud of you."
Whatever she was expecting, this was not it.
"However, if you EVER do anything like this again I will PERSONALY kick your ass, up AND down this mountain. Do I make myself clear."
She tried to swallow the lump in her throat and said, "Jack...I'm sorry, I knew if I told you would stop me."
"Do you understand?"
"Yes," she replied softly, her eyes tearing up.
"Come here." She went to him and he grabbed her tightly. She held on to him for dear life and started crying. When she quieted down to an occasional sniff he pulled back a little. HE took out a handkerchief dried her eyes and handed it to her so that she could blow her nose.
She looked up at him and saw that he had cried a little and reached up and wiped away his tears. They stood like that for a minute until he slowly brought his mouth to hears. He gave her every opportunity to back away. She didn't, she wrapped her arms around him and pulled him closer. The kiss began soft, sweet, then quickly moved to passionate, almost desperate. They both pulled back at the same time and he rested his forehead against hers. "I was so scared, I was afraid I would loose you again."
"I promise, I didn't take any unnecessary risks, I had plenty of back up. Don't worry a few more weeks and you'll be paying someone to get me off your back."
He put his arm around her shoulder as they went back inside. When they were inside they didn't see Sam down a corridor watching.
//they really do love each other. I didn't think it would hurt this much. This is how Jack felt when he found out about Pete. Damn, what the hell am I going to do\\
Tuesday morning they had another class, this time for officers. Vicky let Rebecca Anderson do the demonstration with Teal'c. Things went pretty much as the previous afternoon, but because there were fewer female officers it went a little faster.
Jack had found Carter in Vicky's lab working on some video equipment. "Whatch doing Carter?"
Sam jumped and looked up at the Colonel a little guilty, "Sir, you startled me."
"Sorry, perfectly natural to be jumpy with everything going on and all. And you didn't answer my question."
"What question, Sir?"
"What are you doing, Carter?" He looked are her curiously.
"Umm...I'm getting these surveillance cameras ready. We're going to put them in the woods topside for added security."
"Good idea. Carry on, survail."
"Umm...yes, Sir, "and she gave him a nervous smile as he turned to leave.
//oh, she's definitely up to something\\
//crap, he suspects I'm up to something\\
~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~
Jack went to Daniel's office next. Daniel saw him and brought up another web page that he had minimized for just such and occasion. "Danny, what are you doing?"
"Oh, the usual, Jack, research."
"Research on what?"
"The usual, rocks."
"Artifacts."
"Hmm?"
"They're called artifacts, Danny."
"Yeah, right, artifacts. Did you need something?"
"Nope, just dropped by to see how you were doing."
"I'm just great, Jack. You?"
"I'm great, too. Well, carry on, research." Jack looked at him oddly before he left.
//He's up to something, too\\
//He knows I'm up to something, but I can't tell him who I think is the attacker. Jack might do something stupid like kill him\\
~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~
Jack caught up with Vicky just after she had showered. "Hey, what are you up to?"
She linked arms with him, "gave the female officers a class in "Kick The Pervert's Ass" and I thought I'd grab something to eat before Sam and I go topside to install some security cameras."
"I'll go to the commissary and then help you with the cameras."
//shit, no way is he going to let me be bait\\ "Sure, I'll just stop by my lab for something, I'll meet you there."
//her, too\\
When Vicky went to her lab she called the General, "Uncle George, I need your help."
"Sure, honey, what do you need?"
Taking a deep breath she said, "we're pretty sure we know who the attacker is but we have no proof so I am going to set myself up as bait and Jack suspects something so I need you to come up with something for him to do in about half an hour."
"Vicky, I don't you putting yourself in any danger."
"I know, Uncle George, but I'm the best one for the job and I'll have plenty of backup. But you know that there is no way that Jack will let me do it if he finds out."
There was a long enough silence that she thought he was going to refuse. "Alright, but you be damn careful."
"I promise."
"And Vicky?"
"Yes?"
"You get that son of a bitch."
"Bet on it."
She ran most of the way to the commissary so that she was just a couple of minutes behind Jack. They had eaten when Hammond Paged Jack. He went to the phone on the wall for about two minutes before he came back. "The General came up with an idea of going through the personnel files of anyone who was transferred here within the last year. Since the files are confidential I'm going to have to help him. I won't be able to help you with the cameras."
"That's OK, Teal'c will help us."
He looked at her very seriously and said, "Vicky, I know that you can take care of yourself, but please be careful."
"I promise, I won't be more than ten feet from Teal'c at any time." Feeling somewhat better he leaned over and gave her a light kiss before he left.
//oh boy, my favorite, paperwork. If I didn't know better she had something to do with this but she wasn't far enough behind me to set something up\\
On his way to the General's office he passed Ferretti and several Marines at the armory. "Ferretti, what are you guys doing."
The Major looked at him for a second before replying, "we're going to search topside for any more clues and sweep the area to make sure no one is hiding up there."
"Good idea. Listen, Vicky and Carter will be up there putting up some new cameras, I would appreciate it if you would keep an eye on them."
"Sure, Jack, no problem."
Feeling a lot better, Jack slapped him on the back and went on his way.
"Geez, Ferretti, I thought you were going to piss your pants."
"I might still, you, too when he finds out we let his wife act as bait for a psycho."
~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~
As Sam and Vicky were signing out to go topside Vicky got in one more dig at Martin. "We're going to put up more cameras because, obviously, you can't be counted to do your job right."
Martin ground his teeth but said nothing. //bitch, you'll pay for that\\
Teal'c led Ferretti and the others up through the access tunnels so that their suspect wouldn't know that they had left the base. They met the women and picked their spot for the trap. They had set up a couple of cameras to make it appear that Cater and O'Neill really working.
Everything was going according to plan until the inevitable screw up. Not a fatal one, just one to make one very pissed off Colonel.
~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~
General Hammond and Colonel O'Neill were setting at opposite ends of the conference room table with piles of folders around when Colonel Schmidt passed by. Seeing only the General from the doorway he said, "is Captain O'Neill topside? I just saw Major Martin leave. I hope that hey are set up, I wouldn't want her in danger."
Hammond's head whipped up and he stared at Jack. /shit\\
"SON OF A BITCH, GEORGE! How could you let her place herself in danger?" He went flying out of the room and almost ran down Alex. "And you! What the hell were you thinking? After everything that she has been through?"
Hammond picked up the phone and called the security checkout, "this is General Hammond, and under no circumstances is Colonel O'Neill to leave the base."
"Sir?"
"You heard what I said."
"Do I have to shoot him?"
"No, dammit, you don't shoot him! Restrain him and if yoou have to Zat him."
"Sir, yes, Sir!" The SF was very relieved, he really didn't want to shoot the Colonel and he sure as hell didn't want to have to restrain him by himself.
~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~
At the security checkout two SF's were pointing P-90s at a very, very pissed Colonel. "Let me through, that's an order, and I know you won't shoot me."
"I'm afraid I can't do that, General Hammonds orders."
"You don't' understand, my WIFE is up there acting as bait for that bastard!"
The two SF's looked at each other, they understood, both of them were married, but orders were orders. "I'm sorry, Sir, we can't do that."
"Jack started to move towards them when he heard a voice behind him, "Sir, they might not shoot you but I WILL Zat you."
"Damn, he would, too, because it would do no permanent damage\
Hammond and Schmidt came running up, "Colonel O'Neill, stand down."
Jack practically had tears in his eyes, "George, if anything happens to her..."
"Jack, she is very protected. Do you think for a minute I would let her do this if I didn't make sure she was protected? She really was the best one for the job."
O'Neill bent over with his hands on his legs for a minute then rubbed both of his hands over his face. "I know, it's just..."
"Jack, we'll wait here and as soon as we hear that they have him we'll go up there."
~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~
Vicky had some equipment on the ground pretending to be working. Occasionally she would here a double click on the radio indicating that their target had passed one of the Marines. As the slicks same closer together she knew he was coming close. She signaled Sam who called in a loud voice, as to make it appear that they were farther apart, "I'm going to head over this way, Vicky."
"OK, Sam, when I'm done with this one I'll head in the other direction..." She continued to mess with the equipment, pretending to have trouble with the wiring. She heard his in the brush near her and could feel him watching her. As brave as she liked to make out that she was, she was scared shitless. She knew that she was well protected, especially by Teal'c, but the bastard could do some serious damage if he had a knife, or worse yet, a gun. Hopefully he was hoping to just beat her up with his hands, and then she would kick his ass.
He stepped into the clearing and she pretended not to notice. "You think you're hot shit, don't you, Bitch?" She looked up and let a little of the fear she was feeling to show on her face.
"What are you doing here, Major?"
"I've come to teach you a lesson."
She stood, dropped the camera and started to back away. What he didn't know was that she was leading him closer to Teal'c. "What do you mean?"
"What's the matter? Not so damn full of yourself now, are you? You're just like all the other bitches."
"Like Chang?"
"Like her and all the others. They're to stupid to complain when I was done with them, or maybe to smart. My word against theirs, who would be believed?"
He lunged at her but she easily dodged and delivered a spin kick right to his head. Her combat boots made a very satisfying sound against his head.
//that's gotta hurt\\ Ferretti snickered to himself from a nearby tree.
As Martin fell forward Teal'c reach out and grabbed him before he hit the ground. He brought the Major's face to his and smiled, "I believe."
Ferretti signaled, "That's it, we got the bastard." And he climbed down from his perch.
Major Martin sneered at them, "You've got nothing on me."
Sam and two Marines stepped into the clearing with video cameras, "guess again, scumbag."
They heard someone crashing through the bushes and Jack burst into the clearing. Teal'c quickly punched Martin in the stomach and handed him off to Vicky so that he could grab O'Neill before he attacked the Major. "O'Neill, you must not strike him. We have all the evidence we need to convict him and he is not worth you throwing away your career.
Jack held onto him for a minute before he relaxed and said, "your right, T, he isn't worth it."
Ferretti was leading the Major back in handcuffs and had to pass Jack. Jack clenched his jaw and gave Ferretti a furious look.
//I'll resign my commission and join the circus. I'll be a clown; he'll never find me under all that paint\\
Teal'c followed them and Vicky stood at full attention. She and Jack stared at each other while the others left to give them privacy so that Jack could yell at his wife. While they were waiting for the others to get out of earshot they heard Ferretti shout, "Damn, he's escaping."
"No, I'm not..."
Twang, they heard the unmistakable sound of a Zat.
"Teal'c would you give me a hand and carry him?"
Thump! "Geez, Teal'c you hit his head on a tree."
"How careless of me, I will endeavor to be more careful."
And off they went with the occasional thump followed by laughter. Jack and Vicky gave each other a little smile at the guys getting revenge on the Major.
When he was sure they were alone, Jack walker closer to Vicky and stood looking at her seriously. She could see his pain and anger but she said nothing because anything she did say would just make things worse.
After a few minutes he let out a long sigh, "Vicky I am very proud of you."
Whatever she was expecting, this was not it.
"However, if you EVER do anything like this again I will PERSONALY kick your ass, up AND down this mountain. Do I make myself clear."
She tried to swallow the lump in her throat and said, "Jack...I'm sorry, I knew if I told you would stop me."
"Do you understand?"
"Yes," she replied softly, her eyes tearing up.
"Come here." She went to him and he grabbed her tightly. She held on to him for dear life and started crying. When she quieted down to an occasional sniff he pulled back a little. HE took out a handkerchief dried her eyes and handed it to her so that she could blow her nose.
She looked up at him and saw that he had cried a little and reached up and wiped away his tears. They stood like that for a minute until he slowly brought his mouth to hears. He gave her every opportunity to back away. She didn't, she wrapped her arms around him and pulled him closer. The kiss began soft, sweet, then quickly moved to passionate, almost desperate. They both pulled back at the same time and he rested his forehead against hers. "I was so scared, I was afraid I would loose you again."
"I promise, I didn't take any unnecessary risks, I had plenty of back up. Don't worry a few more weeks and you'll be paying someone to get me off your back."
He put his arm around her shoulder as they went back inside. When they were inside they didn't see Sam down a corridor watching.
//they really do love each other. I didn't think it would hurt this much. This is how Jack felt when he found out about Pete. Damn, what the hell am I going to do\\