Title: Circle of Lies
Rating: R (Violence)
Feedback:
Spoilers: Redemption part 2
You need to have read 'Full Circle', 'Circles of the Mind', 'Splitting the Circle' and 'Empty Circles.'
Summary: Sam's back, but her problems are far from over when Debbie acquaints herself with a powerful enemy of SG-1, and both are determined to end her career at the SGC.
Disclaimer: All publicly recognisable characters and places are the property of MGM, World Gekko Corp and Double Secret productions. This piece of fan fiction was created for entertainment not monetary purposes and no infringement on copyrights or trademarks was intended. Previously unrecognised characters and places, and this story, are copyrighted to the author. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
Details: Jack/Other, Sam/Other UST, Sam/Jack UST, Angst, Drama, Future Season.
Author Notes: Yep, Colonel Makepeace shouldn't be in this story…but I kind of forgot the events of 'Shades of Grey'. Oops.
MCKAY WARNING: Dr McKay is, once again, nice in this story so if you don't like the sound of that, don't read it.
------------ Indicates flashbacks.
Archive: Gateworld,
Circle of Lies
Copyright © Ruth, 2004
"It's Rodney the Goa'uld Slayer!"
So help him God, if one more person shouted that to him in the corridor he would…
"Well, Doctor," a horribly familiar voice drawled from behind him, "Who would have thought it? The little runt saves the day!"
"Colonel Welling," he said, with a false smile and a curtsy, "What an absolute delight to see you up and well again."
"No thanks to your scientist bitch," Debbie sneered.
McKay gritted his teeth.
"How'd you figure that one?"
"I don't have time to waste standing here making idle conversation with fools like yourself, Rodney," she smiled, "We have a meeting with General Hammond. Unfortunately, you are included."
"I was just on my way there. After you, mi'lady," he said, bowing down before her.
"Asshole," she spat, walking off.
"So I've been told." He replied.
"First of all, I would like to offer my congratulations to the rescue team for completing their objective. You all did well people. I've already contacted the Tok'ra liaison officers and thanked them for their help. Majors Carter and Edelson are both well on their way to recovery in the infirmary."
"Though it pains me - very much - to say it," Makepeace grimaced, "We owe it to Dr McKay here. He was the one that distracted Ba'al long enough for us to make our escape."
"Yes, doctor. For your bravery you will be awarded the Air medal…" General Hammond started, but Debbie interrupted with a snort.
"With respect, General Hammond, all he did was stab a guy in the back."
"Maybe you should get one?" McKay grinned, "After all, you've been doing that work for years!"
She narrowed her eyes at him, and Makepeace tried not to smirk.
"If we could remain objective, people?" Hammond asked impatiently, "This de-brief will not take long."
But it did. McKay fidgeted on his chair like a small child at the dentist, driving the others to distraction. He had to fight back the urge to cheer when they were let out, and made his way down to the infirmary to see Sam.
She was still pale, he noticed, but her eyes looked a little brighter. One of her wrists was bandaged, and she was bruised, but there had been no other serious physical injuries. He was more worried about her emotionally.
Sam smiled as she saw him peeking around the edge of the curtain.
"Hey."
"Hey," he replied, trying unsuccessfully to hide a bunch of flowers behind his back. He caught her looking, and blushed.
"These? Um…they're for Major Edelson, and…"
She chuckled softly, and he sat down beside her.
"I hear you've got a new occupation," She grinned.
"Don't you start!" He warned, "I've already had people shouting at me in the corridors, giving me stakes and crossbows."
"You saved my life," she said, serious now, "Thank you."
"Ah, it was nothing. I just…well, you could say I did it by accident."
"You still did it. Stop trying to dodge a compliment, McKay." She said.
"I'm glad to have you back," he smiled.
"Just so you've got someone to insult again," she joked.
"No," he said, carefully taking her hand in his, "Because I was worried about you. When I found out that you'd all been taken…"
Sam's eyes dropped to the bedcover in front of her, but McKay didn't let go of her hand.
"Sorry," he offered, "You know how I am with making conversation."
A small smile played around the corners of her mouth.
"Do hospital gowns still turn you on?" She asked.
"Only when you're wearing them," he replied, straight faced.
They both laughed at the private joke, but then they heard the telltale pitter-patter of Janet's feet on the floor, and knew that the visit was about to be cut short.
"Take care of yourself," he said, gently placing a kiss on her forehead.
Somewhat stunned, Sam sat back in the bed and offered him a weak smile as he left.
"I'll be back," he promised, in a macho, terminator-esque voice.
Had he just kissed her? Really? Maybe she was imagining it…a side effect of the meds Janet was giving her…
It wasn't as if they hadn't done it before. Well, she'd kissed him. On the cheek - but that had been a completely different situation. Completely different. There was nothing in it. Was there?
The next morning, Jack was pacing around the briefing room, waiting for General Hammond. He still had to give his full debrief from the mission - and he wasn't looking forward to it. Having heard the news about Sam's safe return, he wanted to see her, talk to her. But Hammond, Debbie and whoever-the-hell else kept getting in his way.
"Colonel. Please have a seat. I know you want to get this done as quickly as possible, so…"
"I'll get started right away," he finished. "When we gated out to the planet we could see nothing out of the ordinary. We were just making our way through some bushes when we saw a large group of jaffa heading right for us."
"Continue."
"I ordered Teal'c and Danny to get back through the gate, to send for reinforcements…" Jack said, his voice trailing off. Not that they'd received any…
"And what did you, Colonel Welling and Major Carter do next?"
(We had a freakin' huge argument)
"We…uh…deliberated about what our next move would be."
"And?…"
(We continued having a freakin' huge argument, before Ba'al ran up behind us)
"Lord Ba'al…well, he snuck up on us sir, for want of a better expression. We didn't see him coming."
"But doesn't Major Carter have the ability to sense the presence of a Goa'uld symbiote?"
"She does, yes."
(Which is why we blamed her)
---------------------
"Why the hell didn't you sense his presence?" Jack asked, casting a look of disdain over at her.
"It's not like a light switch," Sam replied, "You can't just flip it on and off!"
"You usually feel it!" Jack continued, "The one thing I could rely on was for you to feel it!"
"Well, I'm sorry I've been such a disappointment," She said sarcastically.
"Not half as sorry as we are," Debbie said.
---------------------
"Then, the jaffa came and asked for d… Colonel Welling. I tried to get them to take me instead, but they refused and took Carter as well."
Hammond sighed.
"It was a while before they brought Colonel Welling back. He'd used the ribbon device on her, but nothing more serious than that. Carter was still missing, Colonel Welling didn't know where she was either."
(Not that she cared, either)
"Anyway, I must have fallen asleep, because the next thing I knew, the door was opened and they brought Carter back. She was…badly injured. Knife wounds."
The general was silent, allowing Jack to continue. Part of him felt sorry for the man - but the other part couldn't get the cruelty he'd shown towards Major Carter out of his mind.
"When she woke up she was…obviously agitated."
-------------------
"It's not like that," Jack began, looking back over his shoulder at Debbie, who was still unconscious.
"It IS like that. What are you going to do when she wakes up, hmm? Go back to hating me again?" Sam demanded, wincing as the pain in her chest intensified.
At that moment, Debbie began to stir. Jack cast a look back at Debbie, and then to Sam, desperation in his eyes.
"Carter.."
"Please, Jack," Sam said softly, curling up in the corner again, "Just leave me alone. I've gotten used to it."
-------------------
"Colonel Welling was taken again. When she came back, Carter was taken. It was…then that Colonel Welling informed me that…"
"That what, son?" Hammond asked.
"That she had given up information to Ba'al of a…personal nature. Personal to myself and Major Carter. She didn't realise the damage he could do with it. When Carter came back…he'd used the Blood of Sokar, so she was wary of the both of us. Incredibly wary - she thought we were a part of another hallucination. That was when they came for me."
"I know this is hard," Hammond said, "But we need to know exactly what went on."
"I was tortured," he said shortly, "And when I got back to the cell, Carter was on her own. She was trying to help me, to keep me awake. I…we argued a little. Then…things get a little hazy from here…"
"Just tell me what you remember."
"She said - she said she might have been able to cut a deal to get myself and Colonel Welling to safety."
"You told her not to go ahead with it?"
"Of course I did. I told her that leaving her behind wasn't an option. I ordered her not to do it, and then I just blacked out."
"And that's all you remember?"
"Yes, sir. Sorry if it isn't enough," he added bitterly.
"We'll combine it with Major Carter's when she's ready," Hammond said, "And that should give us the full picture. Thank you for your help, Colonel."
"It must have been terrible," Kelly sympathised, patting Debbie's arm.
"She's incurable," Debbie agreed, "Sits there telling me to go to hell, and everything."
"Really?"
"Yeah. She was completely out of line - it was all I could do not to hit her!"
"Are you going to be giving her a court martial?"
"I haven't decided yet. I need to speak with General Hammond, but I think it should be possible."
Kelly grinned.
"Kicking her out of the SGC - Damn, Deb, I've wanted to do that for years!"
"Well, somebody has to do it," she grumbled, "And I don't mind telling you, it'll be a relief when she's out of here."
"Are you sure you'll be able to do it?" Kelly persisted.
"There are many advantages to being a Colonel," Debbie smiled, "And this is one of them. I outrank her, I'm sleeping with the man who used to be her CO, and I'm going to kick her out of the SGC for good - what can go wrong?"
"I take my hat off to ya, Deb," Kelly said, "Just make sure you do a good job of it."
"Come on," Debbie said, "Let's get out of here. I'm fed up of talking about her."
Daniel peered around the edge of the infirmary door and smiled as he saw Sam sitting up in bed, looking bored. She was obviously feeling more herself if she was attempting to escape from the infirmary.
"Hey," he grinned, "I bought coffee and cookies."
She smiled in return, and beckoned him to sit beside her.
"How've you been, Danny?" she asked, as he pulled her into a hug.
"Worried sick about you," he replied seriously, reluctantly letting go of her.
"Well, I'm back and pining for my computer, so you can stop worrying."
"You look…better," he said awkwardly.
"I feel better for being back," Sam said, trying to ease the awkward feeling between the two of them, "And away from the scrutiny of a certain Colonel…"
"Which one?" Daniel snorted, "They both seem to be bad news at the moment."
"Colonel Welling has developed her violent dislike for me into something…well, I'm not sure.."
"What?" Daniel asked.
"It's just that…she gave away personal information to Ba'al that helped him torture me…and I don't know if it was just because she's inexperienced with the Goa'uld."
"She did what?" Daniel spluttered, "Next time I get my hands on her I'll…"
Sam held up her hand to him.
"Don't give her the satisfaction, Danny. She's got more than one over on me, and I don't want her doing it to you."
"What do you mean, more than one?" Daniel asked, suspiciously, "What else did she do?"
Sam shifted uncomfortably in the bed for a moment, so Daniel reached down and took her hand in his.
"You need to talk about this," he said calmly, "I know you probably don't want to, but keeping it all inside won't do you any good either."
"Jack had just come back from his session with Ba'al. He was badly injured, but Debbie and I still managed to have a…disagreement."
"About what?"
---------------------
"Ba'al mentioned something about a better offer for Jack's freedom."
"Really?" She choked.
"Hm. Well, whoever the hell it is, I wish they would just get on with it! He clearly doesn't have that much time left!"
"Maybe it's not that simple," Sam stammered.
"WHAT?" Debbie exploded, "How much more simple can it get, Major? If he doesn't get out of here, he…will…DIE! Christ, you're so stupid!"
---------------------
"She's got a nerve," Daniel growled, "But what is she talking about? A better offer? Tell me you didn't, Sam."
"He asked me once. I told him to go to hell. But then I got back there and Jack was so badly hurt, and it was all my fault…"
"Whoa, back up!" Daniel said, "Your fault? Let me guess who put that idea into your head!"
"But she's right!" Sam said sadly, "I should have sensed the presence of the Goa'uld, we could have got away…"
"Don't you dare beat yourself up over this," Daniel said, trying not to let the anger he was feeling show in his voice, "You already went above and beyond the call of duty!"
Sam shook her head, fighting back the tears.
"You don't understand, Danny. All these years I've been an embarrassment to him, he's been bored with me…after everything that happened two years ago I still felt terrible. I still felt like I was in his debt."
Daniel gently framed her face in his hands.
"You don't owe that man anything," he said, "Do you hear me?"
She nodded, and Daniel embraced her again. Anger radiated inside of him like a bomb. Who in the hell did Debbie think she was? Making out that the whole situation was Sam's fault, forcing her into making a decision that she might otherwise have refused. Daniel seldom wanted to resort to violence, but he hoped that Teal'c was with him when he next saw Debbie…
"Sorry," she murmured, "Getting all emotional on your shirt!"
"This shirt? It's an old one. Besides, I don't mind. Think I should start renting it out?"
She sniffed and managed a smile for him, which he returned.
"You need to get some rest," he said softly, "You've been through so much, Sam."
She nodded, and tried to get comfy in the bed. Daniel left quietly, stopping at the door to Jack's office. The rage began to build inside him again as he raised his hand to knock on the door…
…but then he stopped, and lowered his hand. Getting into a shouting match with Jack wouldn't solve Sam's problems, only make them worse. He stuffed his hands into his pockets and walked away, shaking his head at the unfairness of the world he was living in.
McKay winced as he heard the 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' theme tune being played on a portable stereo in the commissary. He was about to turn around and make a quick exit when he was ambushed by several marines.
"Think you can do our job as well now, do you?" One snarled.
"Oh, no, I'm sure my skills in grunting, blasting the crap out of things and generally being an asshole are nowhere as good as yours!"
The marine growled and swung a punch at him, but he ducked.
"Okay, guys, how about putting me down now?" He said, trying not to make his voice sound like a squeak.
"How about no?" the second marine laughed.
"Release this man from your grasp," a loud voice said from behind the marines.
McKay turned around in surprise to see Teal'c standing there, his arms folded.
"Or what?" One of them challenged. Teal'c merely raised an eyebrow and cracked his knuckles. This was something that O'Neill had taught him how to do a couple of years ago. He hoped that it would aid him in repelling the marines, as he didn't really want to start a fight. With the marines, anyway.
Slowly, they slumped off, giving McKay a punch on the way out for good measure.
"Uh…thanks," McKay said, holding out his hand to Teal'c.
Teal'c took it and shook it firmly. McKay could almost feel his eyeballs rattling with the force of it.
"You saved Major Carter's life. If you respect her, you have my respect."
"Right," McKay nodded, putting his hands in his pockets. "Is she okay?"
"I have yet to speak with her myself," Teal'c said, "But Daniel Jackson says she appears to be improving."
McKay nodded. "That's good to hear."
"You have a great concern for her well-being," Teal'c commented, watching with perverse satisfaction as McKay blushed.
"No more than anyone else," he said, trying to avoid the issue.
"I do not believe that to be correct, Dr McKay. I have observed how the two of you have bonded. You have been a good friend to her."
He'd been watching them? McKay frowned. That was kind of weird. Creepy, even. Still, the guy had saved him from having the snot beaten out of him by the marines, so he couldn't really complain. After exchanging a few more words, McKay left the commissary and went back to his lab.
Debbie returned after the lunch break and went to General Hammond, a brown folder under her arm. She knocked sharply on the door and went inside.
Hammond was not alone. With him was Senator Kinsey, a long-time enemy of the Stargate programme and SG-1. Hammond didn't look pleased. A smile curved the corners of her mouth. If this man wasn't an ally with SG-1, he was an ally with her.
"General, Senator," she said, saluting them.
Hammond regarded her warily, and the folder tucked under her arm even more so.
"What can I do for you, Colonel Welling?" He asked, not sure that he wanted to hear the answer.
"I know this is a bad time, General, but I feel the need to take disciplinary action against one of your officers."
Hammond's expression was grim. Kinsey sat up in his chair a little more, interested.
"Proceed," Kinsey butted in, ignoring the glare Hammond sent his way.
"This particular officer was insubordinate towards me and Colonel O'Neill. She used bad language, refused to obey orders and showed a distinct problem with her attitude."
"Let me guess," Hammond said dryly, "You want to Court-Martial Major Carter?"
Kinsey rubbed his hands together, pretending not to be pleased.
"This is…unfortunate," he said, though his expression clearly showed otherwise, "The insubordination must have been bad for you to consider action."
Debbie smiled at him, but the news was not going down so well with General Hammond.
"Colonel, quite frankly I am disgusted at your ability to manipulate, degrade and insult your fellow officers. To even consider a court martial after everything that she has been through…"
"Colonel O'Neill and I were tortured just the same as she, and we still managed to remain civil towards each other," she reeled off, fighting back a grin. This had nothing to do with the fact that they were in a relationship, of course. Nothing at all.
"You…" Hammond began, his face turning red.
"Ah, General," Kinsey smiled, "I have often told you that SG-1 was trouble and needed discipline. I think you should listen to what the Colonel has to say and act on her report. You do have the documentation?" He asked Debbie.
"Of course," she replied, handing him the folder.
"Thank you," he said, taking over from General Hammond who frankly didn't trust himself to speak to her. "I'll set this in motion, Colonel. You did a good job."
As the two of them left his office, Hammond put his head in his hands. He couldn't believe this was happening. Kinsey had taken the decision right out of his hands, and that Colonel Welling….
He clenched his fists, and sighed deeply. He would have to inform Sam of what was going on, but he felt as if he was kicking a puppy when it was down.
As she said goodbye to Kinsey, Debbie made a quick detour to the infirmary. She re-applied her lipstick before she entered the room, and flashed Sam an evil smile.
"Colonel," she said dryly, "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"Major, I would watch that tongue of yours," Debbie shot back, "It's getting you into a lot of trouble."
"Such as?" Sam asked, determined not to be put off by this woman.
"I am serving you with an order for a court martial," she said, slowly and calmly, watching with glee as Sam's eyes widened in disbelief, "For insubordination towards your fellow officers."
Janet sprang up out of her chair in her office and stormed over to Sam's bed.
"Colonel Welling!" She hollered, "I don't recall inviting you in here. Please leave my infirmary NOW."
"Of course, Doctor," Debbie said, smiling sweetly at Sam, "I'll see you in court, honey."
She swept out of the room and was gone as quickly as she had arrived. Sam looked blankly at the piece of paper in her hand. After everything she'd done…what she'd been through at the hands of Ba'al…now this. Her job. She'd lost almost everything else.
She felt numb. She didn't hear Janet's hurried reassurances, didn't feel her trying to prize the piece of paper out of her hand. She turned over in bed and buried her face in the pillow, trying to find the strength within her to fight another battle.
To say that Janet was angry would be an understatement. She had never liked Debbie anyway, but this was just taking the piss. Sam had saved Debbie's life, sacrificed her own and in turn for this, she was going to get dragged through the courts and, at best, would lose her job.
Janet looked over at her friend, heart aching. She wished there was something that she could do, but the slip of paper was still firmly in her grasp. She took Sam's other hand in hers and held onto it, feeling completely helpless.
When General Hammond entered, he knew in an instant that he had arrived too late.
"Did you know about this?" Janet asked sadly.
"I was just on my way to tell you," he said coldly. "Doctor, Major - I will do everything in my power to stop this from going ahead, but I have bad news. Colonel Welling has just become the new best friend of Senator Kinsey."
A whole new wave of gloom swept over Sam. She wished that the floor would swallow her up.
"Why is she doing this?" Janet asked, shaking her head and gripping Sam's hand tighter, but getting no response.
"I wish I knew that, Doctor," Hammond said wistfully, feeling a knot in his stomach as he looked at Sam. She had turned away from them, her eyes staring blankly at an unknown spot on the wall. He left the infirmary quietly, wondering how the hell he was going to unravel this mess.
McKay and Daniel, the most unlikely of companions, were making their way to the infirmary to see Sam when they saw a very smug looking Colonel Welling heading towards the elevators.
"This can't be good," McKay said, and Daniel nodded in agreement.
When they got there, Janet was pulling the curtain around Sam's bed. She motioned for them to go into her office, ignoring their pleading looks to see Sam. When she closed the door behind her, she blew out a long breath.
"What's wrong?" Daniel asked, "We saw Debbie looking smug a minute ago, and…"
"She's organised a court martial against Sam," Janet said. The information took a while to sink in.
"WHAT?" Daniel and McKay exploded simultaneously.
"Insubordination towards her and Jack," Janet said.
"Well, what does Jack have to say about all of this?" Daniel snapped.
"He doesn't know anything about it," Janet replied, "He left the base a couple of hours ago."
"Right," Daniel said, shrugging into his jacket, "This has got to stop, and it has got to stop NOW."
"Daniel, what are you going to do?" Janet asked warily.
"I'm going to tell Jack - maybe he can talk some sense into Debbie, or get Kinsey to back off. This whole situation is a disgrace."
He stormed off. Janet sat back in her chair, exhausted. She'd never seen Daniel so angry.
"Can I see her?" McKay asked quietly.
"I suppose so," Janet said, "But please don't upset her."
"I try not to," he joked, "But it seems to be a habit of mine."
He pulled the curtain back and his heart did a somersault as he looked at her. He could see the bit of paper crunched in her fist, but her face was turned against him.
"Hell, just when you thought it couldn't get any worse, I turned up!"
She turned to face him, but didn't smile.
"There is a way out of this, Sam," he said, tying to sound reassuring. "Hammond's working on it, Daniel's going to see what he can do, and when Teal'c finds out…he'll be on the warpath."
"I'm screwed," she smiled bitterly, "And you know it. The minute Kinsey got involved, my fate was sealed."
"C'mon," he said nervously, "You're starting to sound like me."
"I don't see a way out this time," she said. "She's got me well and truly cornered. This is the reward I get for saving her ass."
"You're a better woman than me," McKay answered, "I wouldn't have done it. Why did you?"
"I've been the bane of my CO's life for the best part of ten years," she murmured, "I thought the least I could do would be to get him back to the SGC with the woman he loved."
"You didn't owe anything to them - you should have got yourself out."
"You should have left me there."
That knocked him off balance.
"Excuse me?" he asked.
"With Ba'al. You should have left me with Ba'al. I should never have come back."
To Be Continued…
Author's Note: Hope you liked it - please send feedback to
So…let's say if, theoretically, you could get your revenge on Debbie, how would you do it?? Comments to the above address will be gratefully received.
Rating: R (Violence)
Feedback:
Spoilers: Redemption part 2
You need to have read 'Full Circle', 'Circles of the Mind', 'Splitting the Circle' and 'Empty Circles.'
Summary: Sam's back, but her problems are far from over when Debbie acquaints herself with a powerful enemy of SG-1, and both are determined to end her career at the SGC.
Disclaimer: All publicly recognisable characters and places are the property of MGM, World Gekko Corp and Double Secret productions. This piece of fan fiction was created for entertainment not monetary purposes and no infringement on copyrights or trademarks was intended. Previously unrecognised characters and places, and this story, are copyrighted to the author. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
Details: Jack/Other, Sam/Other UST, Sam/Jack UST, Angst, Drama, Future Season.
Author Notes: Yep, Colonel Makepeace shouldn't be in this story…but I kind of forgot the events of 'Shades of Grey'. Oops.
MCKAY WARNING: Dr McKay is, once again, nice in this story so if you don't like the sound of that, don't read it.
------------ Indicates flashbacks.
Archive: Gateworld,
Circle of Lies
Copyright © Ruth, 2004
"It's Rodney the Goa'uld Slayer!"
So help him God, if one more person shouted that to him in the corridor he would…
"Well, Doctor," a horribly familiar voice drawled from behind him, "Who would have thought it? The little runt saves the day!"
"Colonel Welling," he said, with a false smile and a curtsy, "What an absolute delight to see you up and well again."
"No thanks to your scientist bitch," Debbie sneered.
McKay gritted his teeth.
"How'd you figure that one?"
"I don't have time to waste standing here making idle conversation with fools like yourself, Rodney," she smiled, "We have a meeting with General Hammond. Unfortunately, you are included."
"I was just on my way there. After you, mi'lady," he said, bowing down before her.
"Asshole," she spat, walking off.
"So I've been told." He replied.
"First of all, I would like to offer my congratulations to the rescue team for completing their objective. You all did well people. I've already contacted the Tok'ra liaison officers and thanked them for their help. Majors Carter and Edelson are both well on their way to recovery in the infirmary."
"Though it pains me - very much - to say it," Makepeace grimaced, "We owe it to Dr McKay here. He was the one that distracted Ba'al long enough for us to make our escape."
"Yes, doctor. For your bravery you will be awarded the Air medal…" General Hammond started, but Debbie interrupted with a snort.
"With respect, General Hammond, all he did was stab a guy in the back."
"Maybe you should get one?" McKay grinned, "After all, you've been doing that work for years!"
She narrowed her eyes at him, and Makepeace tried not to smirk.
"If we could remain objective, people?" Hammond asked impatiently, "This de-brief will not take long."
But it did. McKay fidgeted on his chair like a small child at the dentist, driving the others to distraction. He had to fight back the urge to cheer when they were let out, and made his way down to the infirmary to see Sam.
She was still pale, he noticed, but her eyes looked a little brighter. One of her wrists was bandaged, and she was bruised, but there had been no other serious physical injuries. He was more worried about her emotionally.
Sam smiled as she saw him peeking around the edge of the curtain.
"Hey."
"Hey," he replied, trying unsuccessfully to hide a bunch of flowers behind his back. He caught her looking, and blushed.
"These? Um…they're for Major Edelson, and…"
She chuckled softly, and he sat down beside her.
"I hear you've got a new occupation," She grinned.
"Don't you start!" He warned, "I've already had people shouting at me in the corridors, giving me stakes and crossbows."
"You saved my life," she said, serious now, "Thank you."
"Ah, it was nothing. I just…well, you could say I did it by accident."
"You still did it. Stop trying to dodge a compliment, McKay." She said.
"I'm glad to have you back," he smiled.
"Just so you've got someone to insult again," she joked.
"No," he said, carefully taking her hand in his, "Because I was worried about you. When I found out that you'd all been taken…"
Sam's eyes dropped to the bedcover in front of her, but McKay didn't let go of her hand.
"Sorry," he offered, "You know how I am with making conversation."
A small smile played around the corners of her mouth.
"Do hospital gowns still turn you on?" She asked.
"Only when you're wearing them," he replied, straight faced.
They both laughed at the private joke, but then they heard the telltale pitter-patter of Janet's feet on the floor, and knew that the visit was about to be cut short.
"Take care of yourself," he said, gently placing a kiss on her forehead.
Somewhat stunned, Sam sat back in the bed and offered him a weak smile as he left.
"I'll be back," he promised, in a macho, terminator-esque voice.
Had he just kissed her? Really? Maybe she was imagining it…a side effect of the meds Janet was giving her…
It wasn't as if they hadn't done it before. Well, she'd kissed him. On the cheek - but that had been a completely different situation. Completely different. There was nothing in it. Was there?
The next morning, Jack was pacing around the briefing room, waiting for General Hammond. He still had to give his full debrief from the mission - and he wasn't looking forward to it. Having heard the news about Sam's safe return, he wanted to see her, talk to her. But Hammond, Debbie and whoever-the-hell else kept getting in his way.
"Colonel. Please have a seat. I know you want to get this done as quickly as possible, so…"
"I'll get started right away," he finished. "When we gated out to the planet we could see nothing out of the ordinary. We were just making our way through some bushes when we saw a large group of jaffa heading right for us."
"Continue."
"I ordered Teal'c and Danny to get back through the gate, to send for reinforcements…" Jack said, his voice trailing off. Not that they'd received any…
"And what did you, Colonel Welling and Major Carter do next?"
(We had a freakin' huge argument)
"We…uh…deliberated about what our next move would be."
"And?…"
(We continued having a freakin' huge argument, before Ba'al ran up behind us)
"Lord Ba'al…well, he snuck up on us sir, for want of a better expression. We didn't see him coming."
"But doesn't Major Carter have the ability to sense the presence of a Goa'uld symbiote?"
"She does, yes."
(Which is why we blamed her)
---------------------
"Why the hell didn't you sense his presence?" Jack asked, casting a look of disdain over at her.
"It's not like a light switch," Sam replied, "You can't just flip it on and off!"
"You usually feel it!" Jack continued, "The one thing I could rely on was for you to feel it!"
"Well, I'm sorry I've been such a disappointment," She said sarcastically.
"Not half as sorry as we are," Debbie said.
---------------------
"Then, the jaffa came and asked for d… Colonel Welling. I tried to get them to take me instead, but they refused and took Carter as well."
Hammond sighed.
"It was a while before they brought Colonel Welling back. He'd used the ribbon device on her, but nothing more serious than that. Carter was still missing, Colonel Welling didn't know where she was either."
(Not that she cared, either)
"Anyway, I must have fallen asleep, because the next thing I knew, the door was opened and they brought Carter back. She was…badly injured. Knife wounds."
The general was silent, allowing Jack to continue. Part of him felt sorry for the man - but the other part couldn't get the cruelty he'd shown towards Major Carter out of his mind.
"When she woke up she was…obviously agitated."
-------------------
"It's not like that," Jack began, looking back over his shoulder at Debbie, who was still unconscious.
"It IS like that. What are you going to do when she wakes up, hmm? Go back to hating me again?" Sam demanded, wincing as the pain in her chest intensified.
At that moment, Debbie began to stir. Jack cast a look back at Debbie, and then to Sam, desperation in his eyes.
"Carter.."
"Please, Jack," Sam said softly, curling up in the corner again, "Just leave me alone. I've gotten used to it."
-------------------
"Colonel Welling was taken again. When she came back, Carter was taken. It was…then that Colonel Welling informed me that…"
"That what, son?" Hammond asked.
"That she had given up information to Ba'al of a…personal nature. Personal to myself and Major Carter. She didn't realise the damage he could do with it. When Carter came back…he'd used the Blood of Sokar, so she was wary of the both of us. Incredibly wary - she thought we were a part of another hallucination. That was when they came for me."
"I know this is hard," Hammond said, "But we need to know exactly what went on."
"I was tortured," he said shortly, "And when I got back to the cell, Carter was on her own. She was trying to help me, to keep me awake. I…we argued a little. Then…things get a little hazy from here…"
"Just tell me what you remember."
"She said - she said she might have been able to cut a deal to get myself and Colonel Welling to safety."
"You told her not to go ahead with it?"
"Of course I did. I told her that leaving her behind wasn't an option. I ordered her not to do it, and then I just blacked out."
"And that's all you remember?"
"Yes, sir. Sorry if it isn't enough," he added bitterly.
"We'll combine it with Major Carter's when she's ready," Hammond said, "And that should give us the full picture. Thank you for your help, Colonel."
"It must have been terrible," Kelly sympathised, patting Debbie's arm.
"She's incurable," Debbie agreed, "Sits there telling me to go to hell, and everything."
"Really?"
"Yeah. She was completely out of line - it was all I could do not to hit her!"
"Are you going to be giving her a court martial?"
"I haven't decided yet. I need to speak with General Hammond, but I think it should be possible."
Kelly grinned.
"Kicking her out of the SGC - Damn, Deb, I've wanted to do that for years!"
"Well, somebody has to do it," she grumbled, "And I don't mind telling you, it'll be a relief when she's out of here."
"Are you sure you'll be able to do it?" Kelly persisted.
"There are many advantages to being a Colonel," Debbie smiled, "And this is one of them. I outrank her, I'm sleeping with the man who used to be her CO, and I'm going to kick her out of the SGC for good - what can go wrong?"
"I take my hat off to ya, Deb," Kelly said, "Just make sure you do a good job of it."
"Come on," Debbie said, "Let's get out of here. I'm fed up of talking about her."
Daniel peered around the edge of the infirmary door and smiled as he saw Sam sitting up in bed, looking bored. She was obviously feeling more herself if she was attempting to escape from the infirmary.
"Hey," he grinned, "I bought coffee and cookies."
She smiled in return, and beckoned him to sit beside her.
"How've you been, Danny?" she asked, as he pulled her into a hug.
"Worried sick about you," he replied seriously, reluctantly letting go of her.
"Well, I'm back and pining for my computer, so you can stop worrying."
"You look…better," he said awkwardly.
"I feel better for being back," Sam said, trying to ease the awkward feeling between the two of them, "And away from the scrutiny of a certain Colonel…"
"Which one?" Daniel snorted, "They both seem to be bad news at the moment."
"Colonel Welling has developed her violent dislike for me into something…well, I'm not sure.."
"What?" Daniel asked.
"It's just that…she gave away personal information to Ba'al that helped him torture me…and I don't know if it was just because she's inexperienced with the Goa'uld."
"She did what?" Daniel spluttered, "Next time I get my hands on her I'll…"
Sam held up her hand to him.
"Don't give her the satisfaction, Danny. She's got more than one over on me, and I don't want her doing it to you."
"What do you mean, more than one?" Daniel asked, suspiciously, "What else did she do?"
Sam shifted uncomfortably in the bed for a moment, so Daniel reached down and took her hand in his.
"You need to talk about this," he said calmly, "I know you probably don't want to, but keeping it all inside won't do you any good either."
"Jack had just come back from his session with Ba'al. He was badly injured, but Debbie and I still managed to have a…disagreement."
"About what?"
---------------------
"Ba'al mentioned something about a better offer for Jack's freedom."
"Really?" She choked.
"Hm. Well, whoever the hell it is, I wish they would just get on with it! He clearly doesn't have that much time left!"
"Maybe it's not that simple," Sam stammered.
"WHAT?" Debbie exploded, "How much more simple can it get, Major? If he doesn't get out of here, he…will…DIE! Christ, you're so stupid!"
---------------------
"She's got a nerve," Daniel growled, "But what is she talking about? A better offer? Tell me you didn't, Sam."
"He asked me once. I told him to go to hell. But then I got back there and Jack was so badly hurt, and it was all my fault…"
"Whoa, back up!" Daniel said, "Your fault? Let me guess who put that idea into your head!"
"But she's right!" Sam said sadly, "I should have sensed the presence of the Goa'uld, we could have got away…"
"Don't you dare beat yourself up over this," Daniel said, trying not to let the anger he was feeling show in his voice, "You already went above and beyond the call of duty!"
Sam shook her head, fighting back the tears.
"You don't understand, Danny. All these years I've been an embarrassment to him, he's been bored with me…after everything that happened two years ago I still felt terrible. I still felt like I was in his debt."
Daniel gently framed her face in his hands.
"You don't owe that man anything," he said, "Do you hear me?"
She nodded, and Daniel embraced her again. Anger radiated inside of him like a bomb. Who in the hell did Debbie think she was? Making out that the whole situation was Sam's fault, forcing her into making a decision that she might otherwise have refused. Daniel seldom wanted to resort to violence, but he hoped that Teal'c was with him when he next saw Debbie…
"Sorry," she murmured, "Getting all emotional on your shirt!"
"This shirt? It's an old one. Besides, I don't mind. Think I should start renting it out?"
She sniffed and managed a smile for him, which he returned.
"You need to get some rest," he said softly, "You've been through so much, Sam."
She nodded, and tried to get comfy in the bed. Daniel left quietly, stopping at the door to Jack's office. The rage began to build inside him again as he raised his hand to knock on the door…
…but then he stopped, and lowered his hand. Getting into a shouting match with Jack wouldn't solve Sam's problems, only make them worse. He stuffed his hands into his pockets and walked away, shaking his head at the unfairness of the world he was living in.
McKay winced as he heard the 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' theme tune being played on a portable stereo in the commissary. He was about to turn around and make a quick exit when he was ambushed by several marines.
"Think you can do our job as well now, do you?" One snarled.
"Oh, no, I'm sure my skills in grunting, blasting the crap out of things and generally being an asshole are nowhere as good as yours!"
The marine growled and swung a punch at him, but he ducked.
"Okay, guys, how about putting me down now?" He said, trying not to make his voice sound like a squeak.
"How about no?" the second marine laughed.
"Release this man from your grasp," a loud voice said from behind the marines.
McKay turned around in surprise to see Teal'c standing there, his arms folded.
"Or what?" One of them challenged. Teal'c merely raised an eyebrow and cracked his knuckles. This was something that O'Neill had taught him how to do a couple of years ago. He hoped that it would aid him in repelling the marines, as he didn't really want to start a fight. With the marines, anyway.
Slowly, they slumped off, giving McKay a punch on the way out for good measure.
"Uh…thanks," McKay said, holding out his hand to Teal'c.
Teal'c took it and shook it firmly. McKay could almost feel his eyeballs rattling with the force of it.
"You saved Major Carter's life. If you respect her, you have my respect."
"Right," McKay nodded, putting his hands in his pockets. "Is she okay?"
"I have yet to speak with her myself," Teal'c said, "But Daniel Jackson says she appears to be improving."
McKay nodded. "That's good to hear."
"You have a great concern for her well-being," Teal'c commented, watching with perverse satisfaction as McKay blushed.
"No more than anyone else," he said, trying to avoid the issue.
"I do not believe that to be correct, Dr McKay. I have observed how the two of you have bonded. You have been a good friend to her."
He'd been watching them? McKay frowned. That was kind of weird. Creepy, even. Still, the guy had saved him from having the snot beaten out of him by the marines, so he couldn't really complain. After exchanging a few more words, McKay left the commissary and went back to his lab.
Debbie returned after the lunch break and went to General Hammond, a brown folder under her arm. She knocked sharply on the door and went inside.
Hammond was not alone. With him was Senator Kinsey, a long-time enemy of the Stargate programme and SG-1. Hammond didn't look pleased. A smile curved the corners of her mouth. If this man wasn't an ally with SG-1, he was an ally with her.
"General, Senator," she said, saluting them.
Hammond regarded her warily, and the folder tucked under her arm even more so.
"What can I do for you, Colonel Welling?" He asked, not sure that he wanted to hear the answer.
"I know this is a bad time, General, but I feel the need to take disciplinary action against one of your officers."
Hammond's expression was grim. Kinsey sat up in his chair a little more, interested.
"Proceed," Kinsey butted in, ignoring the glare Hammond sent his way.
"This particular officer was insubordinate towards me and Colonel O'Neill. She used bad language, refused to obey orders and showed a distinct problem with her attitude."
"Let me guess," Hammond said dryly, "You want to Court-Martial Major Carter?"
Kinsey rubbed his hands together, pretending not to be pleased.
"This is…unfortunate," he said, though his expression clearly showed otherwise, "The insubordination must have been bad for you to consider action."
Debbie smiled at him, but the news was not going down so well with General Hammond.
"Colonel, quite frankly I am disgusted at your ability to manipulate, degrade and insult your fellow officers. To even consider a court martial after everything that she has been through…"
"Colonel O'Neill and I were tortured just the same as she, and we still managed to remain civil towards each other," she reeled off, fighting back a grin. This had nothing to do with the fact that they were in a relationship, of course. Nothing at all.
"You…" Hammond began, his face turning red.
"Ah, General," Kinsey smiled, "I have often told you that SG-1 was trouble and needed discipline. I think you should listen to what the Colonel has to say and act on her report. You do have the documentation?" He asked Debbie.
"Of course," she replied, handing him the folder.
"Thank you," he said, taking over from General Hammond who frankly didn't trust himself to speak to her. "I'll set this in motion, Colonel. You did a good job."
As the two of them left his office, Hammond put his head in his hands. He couldn't believe this was happening. Kinsey had taken the decision right out of his hands, and that Colonel Welling….
He clenched his fists, and sighed deeply. He would have to inform Sam of what was going on, but he felt as if he was kicking a puppy when it was down.
As she said goodbye to Kinsey, Debbie made a quick detour to the infirmary. She re-applied her lipstick before she entered the room, and flashed Sam an evil smile.
"Colonel," she said dryly, "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"Major, I would watch that tongue of yours," Debbie shot back, "It's getting you into a lot of trouble."
"Such as?" Sam asked, determined not to be put off by this woman.
"I am serving you with an order for a court martial," she said, slowly and calmly, watching with glee as Sam's eyes widened in disbelief, "For insubordination towards your fellow officers."
Janet sprang up out of her chair in her office and stormed over to Sam's bed.
"Colonel Welling!" She hollered, "I don't recall inviting you in here. Please leave my infirmary NOW."
"Of course, Doctor," Debbie said, smiling sweetly at Sam, "I'll see you in court, honey."
She swept out of the room and was gone as quickly as she had arrived. Sam looked blankly at the piece of paper in her hand. After everything she'd done…what she'd been through at the hands of Ba'al…now this. Her job. She'd lost almost everything else.
She felt numb. She didn't hear Janet's hurried reassurances, didn't feel her trying to prize the piece of paper out of her hand. She turned over in bed and buried her face in the pillow, trying to find the strength within her to fight another battle.
To say that Janet was angry would be an understatement. She had never liked Debbie anyway, but this was just taking the piss. Sam had saved Debbie's life, sacrificed her own and in turn for this, she was going to get dragged through the courts and, at best, would lose her job.
Janet looked over at her friend, heart aching. She wished there was something that she could do, but the slip of paper was still firmly in her grasp. She took Sam's other hand in hers and held onto it, feeling completely helpless.
When General Hammond entered, he knew in an instant that he had arrived too late.
"Did you know about this?" Janet asked sadly.
"I was just on my way to tell you," he said coldly. "Doctor, Major - I will do everything in my power to stop this from going ahead, but I have bad news. Colonel Welling has just become the new best friend of Senator Kinsey."
A whole new wave of gloom swept over Sam. She wished that the floor would swallow her up.
"Why is she doing this?" Janet asked, shaking her head and gripping Sam's hand tighter, but getting no response.
"I wish I knew that, Doctor," Hammond said wistfully, feeling a knot in his stomach as he looked at Sam. She had turned away from them, her eyes staring blankly at an unknown spot on the wall. He left the infirmary quietly, wondering how the hell he was going to unravel this mess.
McKay and Daniel, the most unlikely of companions, were making their way to the infirmary to see Sam when they saw a very smug looking Colonel Welling heading towards the elevators.
"This can't be good," McKay said, and Daniel nodded in agreement.
When they got there, Janet was pulling the curtain around Sam's bed. She motioned for them to go into her office, ignoring their pleading looks to see Sam. When she closed the door behind her, she blew out a long breath.
"What's wrong?" Daniel asked, "We saw Debbie looking smug a minute ago, and…"
"She's organised a court martial against Sam," Janet said. The information took a while to sink in.
"WHAT?" Daniel and McKay exploded simultaneously.
"Insubordination towards her and Jack," Janet said.
"Well, what does Jack have to say about all of this?" Daniel snapped.
"He doesn't know anything about it," Janet replied, "He left the base a couple of hours ago."
"Right," Daniel said, shrugging into his jacket, "This has got to stop, and it has got to stop NOW."
"Daniel, what are you going to do?" Janet asked warily.
"I'm going to tell Jack - maybe he can talk some sense into Debbie, or get Kinsey to back off. This whole situation is a disgrace."
He stormed off. Janet sat back in her chair, exhausted. She'd never seen Daniel so angry.
"Can I see her?" McKay asked quietly.
"I suppose so," Janet said, "But please don't upset her."
"I try not to," he joked, "But it seems to be a habit of mine."
He pulled the curtain back and his heart did a somersault as he looked at her. He could see the bit of paper crunched in her fist, but her face was turned against him.
"Hell, just when you thought it couldn't get any worse, I turned up!"
She turned to face him, but didn't smile.
"There is a way out of this, Sam," he said, tying to sound reassuring. "Hammond's working on it, Daniel's going to see what he can do, and when Teal'c finds out…he'll be on the warpath."
"I'm screwed," she smiled bitterly, "And you know it. The minute Kinsey got involved, my fate was sealed."
"C'mon," he said nervously, "You're starting to sound like me."
"I don't see a way out this time," she said. "She's got me well and truly cornered. This is the reward I get for saving her ass."
"You're a better woman than me," McKay answered, "I wouldn't have done it. Why did you?"
"I've been the bane of my CO's life for the best part of ten years," she murmured, "I thought the least I could do would be to get him back to the SGC with the woman he loved."
"You didn't owe anything to them - you should have got yourself out."
"You should have left me there."
That knocked him off balance.
"Excuse me?" he asked.
"With Ba'al. You should have left me with Ba'al. I should never have come back."
To Be Continued…
Author's Note: Hope you liked it - please send feedback to
So…let's say if, theoretically, you could get your revenge on Debbie, how would you do it?? Comments to the above address will be gratefully received.