The Gift

Chapter 3

He was face down on the dusty floor of the cell, hands tied behind his back and ratty gag in his mouth. Struggling to see through swollen eyes, he noted the stench of shit and piss and sweat and fear. He forced down the urge to vomit, knowing he'd choke to death if he did.

A wet slick hiss of air drew his attention. Carter, her face inches from his, mouth moving but emitting no sound. He blinked several times, trying to understand her. She was naked, her emaciated form bruised from the beatings and the rape.

Enraged but weakened, he struggled to sit upright. A ragged moan from Carter stopped him. Her eyes locked on his, pleading, and he saw it.

They'd slit her throat and left her to bleed out on the floor of the cell.

He moaned, watching the slow slide of her blood on the gentle slope of the cell floor, moving towards him.

Again he fought to move, to help, but weeks of starvation and minimal water left him too weak to come to her aid.

Helpless, he lay and watched her, wincing each time the wet hiss of air left her throat. She needed him, he could feel her begging for him and he couldn't move, goddammit, he couldn't fucking move –

Again her eyes locked on his, the look in them hazy now, and he panicked as he saw death steal into her gaze even as the warmth of her blood pooled around his face. No, he tried to call to her, come back, but the look in her eyes flattened and she was gone. He closed his eyes, tears stinging the bruises and lacerations on his face and he cried, bathed in her blood.

He was standing at attention in a briefing room at the SGC. Looking around he saw several dozen people, some familiar, some not.

Someone entered through the door behind him. "At ease," she said, and moved to the podium. "Please, everyone, be seated."

He sat, looking at her closely. She was radiant, excited. Nervous, too, but that would be obvious only to someone who knew her well.

And look at that. He smiled. Stars on her shoulders.

"Hello, everyone, I'm Brigadier General Samantha Carter-Henderson."

His swift intake of breath drew Daniel's attention, who looked at him quizzically.

"A lot of you already know me, I've done a great deal of consulting work for the SGC over the past several years."

Some in the audience nodded, some smiled.

"As a matter of fact, I was called to join the Stargate Project when it first began. However, at the time I was in labor."

Soft laughter from most, heartache for one.

"Twins," she said. "Identical. Girls." She smiled.

"Three years after that, I got another call from General Hammond. And I was again, literally, in labor," she said grinning. "Twins again. Boys, this time."

"So, instead of being able to be here full-time, I had to settle for consulting work. I've been amazed, ladies and gentlemen, by the work you've done here. And proud. The American people would be glad to know they're in such good hands."

"When General Hammond called me to tell me he was retiring and that I was being assigned as his replacement, I was more than a little nervous. This project is a tremendous undertaking and lives are always in the balance, as I know you all are well aware."

"So while the prospect of heading the SG project is daunting, I also find it tremendously exciting. And while I know it might be difficult adjusting to a new commander, I want to assure you that I will do my best for this project and for all of you."

"Now, as you all know, I have a lot to catch up on, so I'll keep this brief. But I wanted all of you to know my door is open anytime."

She smiled out at them. "Dismissed."

Rustling and murmurs as the crowd rose and dispersed. He watched as she was stopped from time to time on her way out the door, speaking with various people, introducing herself personally to others. He waited by the door.

Finally she headed in his direction. She stopped abruptly as she saw him waiting for her. He felt a jolt of surprise at the look of hostility on her face.

"Col. O'Neill," she said coolly.

"Gen. Carter," he said.

"Carter-Henderson," she corrected sharply.

"My apologies, ma'am."

He paused, at a loss for a moment. What exactly was it he wanted to say?

"Ma'am, I just wanted to welcome you aboard and wish you the best."

She looked surprised. "Really?"

"Well, yeah. Of course."

"O'Neill, rumor had it you were the one yelling the loudest about my taking over Hammond's command. Something about my 'lack of experience,' I believe."

He smiled sadly. He probably had squawked words to that effect.

"If that's the impression I gave, I apologize," he said. "I know you'll do superbly as commander of the SGC." And he meant it.

She looked at him a long moment, as if trying to determine if he was serious. Finally, the hard look on her features softened just a bit.

"Thank you, O'Neill. I'd like to see you and your team in the briefing room at 0800 tomorrow."

"Sure, see you then," he said, but she was already gone.

TBC