DISCLAIMER: The characters mentioned in this story are the property of Showtime and Gekko Film Corp. The Stargate, SG-1, the goa'uld and all other characters that have appeared in the series STARGATE SG-1 together with the names, titles and backstory are the sole copyright property of the people who made them up. This fanfic is not intended as an infringement upon those rights and solely meant for entertainment. All other characters, the story idea and the story itself are the sole property of the author.

Manifestations

Part three

Sam and Cassie were back in the lab with Dr Fraiser and Jack overseeing the experiments leaving Daniel and Teal'c free to take another look around and see what else they could find. Cassie was far more agitated than she had been previously and on more than one occasion one of the doctors had nearly let out a sharp retort, only the knowledge that they were under close scrutiny preventing them from doing anything rash. At last the morning drew to a close and they were released to make their way to the cafeteria for lunch. Daniel and Teal'c did not put in an appearance and Jack hoped they hadn't managed to get themselves in trouble.

It was not until they returned to their quarters at the end of the day and were sitting around playing cards that Daniel and Teal'c finally showed up, looking tired but triumphant, even Teal'c looked pleased with himself.

'Well?' Jack asked sharply.

'There are more labs further down this corridor and we located where the girl is being held.' Daniel informed them. 'She's got living accommodation similar to ours which is shared with a female sergeant who has primary responsibility for her well-being.'

'The sergeant does not appear happy at the treatment the child is receiving,' Teal'c added.

'What makes you say that?' Jack asked.

'Well, we were in the room on the other side of the lab in which the girl is being examined, and Sergeant Brown was protesting when the tests ran past lunch time. She spoke very politely, but she did manage to get the girl a couple of hours for lunch, and she also made them finish their tests early enough to give them some time before she would have to go to bed. We followed them back to their quarters to find out where they were.'

Cassie leapt up and gave Daniel a hug, then did the same for Teal'c, her unspoken thanks for what they had been able to find out.

'So how do we get her out?' Cassie, sitting back beside her mother, looked trustingly at her 'family'.

'We have to do something tonight,' Daniel announced. 'We leave tomorrow and we won't get another chance.'

'It will not be difficult to take the child from her room but we will experience great difficulty in leaving the building,' Teal'c advised them.

'Ok - anyone else got any ideas?' Jack looked around the room.

XOXOXOX

'Will you please sit still,' Dr Crispin snapped at Cassie again. She had been extremely fidgety all morning and had been asked countless times to co-operate. Sam wasn't helping either. She was doing what she was told, but her grim face had the doctors tip-toeing around her, afraid she might blow up at them again.

In the observation room, Maybourne turned to Dr Fraiser who had only been accompanied by Daniel this morning.

'What's going on? This is your last day, the least they could do is make it easy on themselves and us.'

'Why?' Daniel asked, putting him on the spot.

'Because that's why they're here, Dr Jackson,' Maybourne spoke condescendingly. 'Where are Colonel O'Neill and Teal'c anyway? I didn't think Jack would let those two out his sight.'

'Teal'c said something about cherry pie in the cafeteria today. He's seen it in just about every TV show he's watched and Jack finally got fed up with him talking about it and took him to get some.' Daniel smiled briefly before he resumed watching what was taking place in the lab.

Half an hour later, Dr Fraiser wrinkled her nose and sniffed loudly.

'I can smell smoke,' she announced, just as the smoke detectors went off, signalling that the area should be evacuated. In a flash, Janet and Daniel were in the lab disconnecting Sam and Cassie from the monitors before hurrying to the nearest exit. Maybourne raced in the opposite direction through a stream of people making their way to the fire exits, the smell of smoke getting stronger as he got closer to the secure area where Alysha was being held. As he reached the doors leading to his destination, he was faced with two SF's coming through them, preventing him from continuing into the area.

'Let me through, sergeant,' Maybourne snapped.

'I'm sorry sir,' came the response from an SF who was exasperated by the number of scientists who felt their experiments warranted them remaining behind in a burning building. 'This area is clear of all personnel, we can't allow you to go in there. Please, make your way to the nearest exit.' Maybourne made a move to push past him, but the SF's stood their ground.

'Sergeants, unless you want…' Maybourne began to threaten them when a click alerted the SF's to move away from the doors, stopping Maybourne in mid sentence as a fire barrier dropped down, sealing off the area beyond.

'Get that door open,' Maybourne hissed angrily.

'I can't sir,' the SF informed him. 'The lab areas down there have a toxic sprinkler system that kicks in automatically - once the fire doors are closed, the area is locked down automatically for twenty four hours until the ventilation system has had chance to clear the air.'

'You're certain that everybody got out?' Maybourne glared at the SF's.

'Yes sir. If you're looking for someone, your best bet is to go to the assembly point. Now please, make your way to the exit.' Not allowing for any argument this time, the SF's swept Maybourne along with them as they evacuated the building.

XOXOXOX

'Where is she?' Maybourne stalked over to where Jack was trying to calm down a hysterical Cassie, Teal'c standing watch over them, scaring away anyone who looked like they might want to find out what was going on. Although it didn't quite work on Maybourne, he did calm down a little.

'To whom are you referring?' Teal'c asked, his face inscrutable as always.

'You know exactly who I mean,' Maybourne snapped, a little less sure of himself now.

'Harry, why don't you just go play with traffic,' Jack spoke icily, his attention still focussed on Cassie who clung to him even tighter as she became aware of Maybourne's presence.

'Where are the others?' Maybourne changed tack as he realised half the group were missing, his mind on full alert that something was definitely going on.

'Daniel Jackson was affected by the smoke from the fire. Captain Carter is driving him to the hospital with Dr Fraiser.' Teal'c informed him.

'What's wrong with our own medical facilities?'

'The medical personnel have all been evacuated because of the fire. Daniel Jackson required treatment which Dr Fraiser believed could best be acquired from the hospital.'

'Yes,' Maybourne sounded extremely suspicious but let it rest and turned to Jack again. 'I have located alternate facilities to complete the scheduled tests, so if you would just follow me…'

'You have got to be kidding?' Jack said, his voice tightly controlled. 'We were due to leave this afternoon anyway and I think we've done more than enough to help you out. We're going to collect the others from the hospital and then we're leaving. Is that understood?'

'But…' Maybourne tried to protest but at that point Cassie, who had calmed down a little, began crying harder, her shoulders shaking as she gripped Jack's shirt, soaking it with her tears. Jack patted her back soothingly as he said slowly and clearly.

'We are leaving now. Is that clear enough for you?'

'Fine,' Maybourne finally acknowledged. 'But if I find out that you've got anything to do with my missing experiment…' He left the sentence unfinished, trying to give his words more weight.

'Harry, did anyone ever tell you that melodrama just doesn't cut it with me? Goodbye.'

XOXOXOX

'Cassie?' Jack said softly as he realised the tears she had been pretending to cry were now for real. 'What's wrong honey?'

'Nothing.' Cassie mumbled as she continued to sob.

'Uh huh.' Jack waited for the explanation that he knew would follow any moment.

'It's just…' Cassie hesitated, not sure how to explain herself. 'Everything that's happened - the tests, seeing Alysha, the fire…'

'I know,' Jack continued to hold her securely, offering her reassurance just by his familiar presence. 'Things have been kind of rough haven't they? It's ok to feel like this though.'

Teal'c shielded his two companions to prevent any unwanted attention, glancing behind him when he realised Cassie had calmed down at last.

'Can we go home now?' Cassie turned pleading eyes on Jack and Teal'c.

'Sure - after we collect the others from the hospital. Come on - we are so out of here.'