Chapter 28 – Good-byes
Jack, Sam and Jacob arrived on base early the next morning. Sam and her father headed to Daniel's lab after a quick stop in the commissary for breakfast. Jack went off to his own office, needing to clear some of his paperwork before they set off on another mission tomorrow.
Daniel was already hard at work scribbling notes while Teal'c sat at a computer adding their translations into the file they had created on this mission. They both looked up as father and daughter entered the office.
"Morning Jacob, Sam. How are you both this morning?" Daniel asked with a smile.
"We're fine Daniel," Jacob replied. "Had a good night's rest and some breakfast, now I'm ready to see what you've got here. Hopefully I can add something to what you have already discovered."
"We would be grateful for any assistance you could provide General Carter," Teal'c stated.
"I'll do my best Teal'c," Jacob responded as he came over to the computer. Teal'c offered him his seat and went to stand by Daniel and Sam next to the long table that held Daniel's books and artifacts. After 20 minutes spent pouring over the data, Jacob sat back with a sigh. "It looks like you have everything translated correctly Daniel. The only thing I can add is that the children, or changed women if you will, were to take the Triplexus with them when they entered the Hall of Transformation. The crystals within played some kind of role in the reversal of the process."
He stood from the chair and came over to the table. Picking up a triangular device, he asked, "This is the Triplexus I take it?" At their nods, he turned it over and ran his fingers over the inscriptions on the back. "Quite an ingenious device if I do say so myself. Targeting technology to only respond to the female population is extremely tricky. Not many civilizations are able to pull this off."
Jacob took out a small tool and began to pry the back panel off the Triplexus. "Uh Dad, do you think that's such a great idea?" Sam asked. She had asked about doing the same thing several days ago, but General Hammond hadn't been willing to allow the risk it might pose.
"I think it's imperative we take a look at the crystals that are used in this device Sam. There is a chance that they hold the key to changing you back," he answered. Sam looked at Daniel, who just shrugged in response. Her father was a Tok'ra, he would know a lot more about crystals than any of them would!
"Holy Hannah!" exclaimed Jacob as he removed the panel. "These crystals are hundreds of years old! I'm amazed that they still work, especially after being buried so long in the rubble of the ruins."
"Is that good news or bad news, Dad?" Sam asked as she stepped closer to him. Teal'c placed a restraining hand on her shoulder; he wasn't willing to let her get too close to the device, especially if it had active crystals in it! Sam turned to look at him with a frown, but stayed where she was.
Jacob looked up from the Triplexus, "To tell you the truth Sam, I'm not sure. I'd place a bet that it was good news though. If they could change you to a child, they should still have the power to change you back. Come here and take a closer look at the red crystal." When she didn't move, he noticed the large hand on her shoulder, holding her back. "It's okay Teal'c, the Triplexus won't hurt Sam. She's already a child as far as its concerned." Teal'c gave a slight nod and released his hold on Sam's shoulder but didn't stray far from her side, just in case!. She came closer to her father and he held the Triplexus down for her to get a good look.
"This red crystal is called a reverse imagining crystal, Sam. It takes an object and reverses its properties. It can change any object into a smaller form of itself, or change an object into different matter entirely. In this case, it changes an adult female into a girl." With a flash of his eyes, Selmak took over.
"Your father is correct Samantha. The red crystal holds the key to the reversal of this process. It must be repositioned within the Triplexus before this change can occur."
Sam looked excitedly at her father. "So let's do it! Reposition the crystal and give the Triplexus to me! Let's try and change me back before you have to leave Dad!"
"I am afraid it's not that easy Samantha," continued the voice of Selmak. "I believe the Triplexus must be on the planet you found it. There must be a source on the planet where it garners its power from. Hence the mention of the Hall of Transformation."
"But we were here when it changed Sam to a child, not on the planet. Why did that happen?" questioned Daniel.
"There must have been enough residual power left in the device. That, in addition to the fact that it hadn't been used in hundreds of years, must have contributed to the ability of the Triplexus to work here on Earth. Samantha must return to the planet with the device and you must find the Hall of Transformation. I believe this to be the only scenario that will return her to her former state of being." Jacob closed his eyes at the conclusion of Selmak's discourse. Then Jacob spoke.
"I'm sorry Sam. It's the best we have to offer."
"Don't be sorry Dad. You and Selmak have given us another piece to the puzzle. If we can find the Hall of Transformation, hopefully everything else will fall into place." She continued to study the device as the three men looked at each other. None of them wanted to dash her hopes, but there were an awful lot of 'ifs' riding on this plan of theirs. "Show me how to reposition the crystal Dad. I'll need to do it myself when we're on the planet."
Jack walked into the room just as Jacob was telling Sam how to take the crystal out and turn it around 180 degrees and replace it cross-wise within the rear panel. "What's going on here? Geez Jacob, what are you doing with that thing so close to Sam?" Before waiting for an answer, he pulled Sam back from the device and placed her behind him, then turned and shot a glare toward the older man.
Jacob just chuckled in response. "I see what you mean about all of them being a tad over-protective Sam! I don't know how you put up with them for the last week!" Turning to Jack he said, "Take it easy Jack. I was just showing Sam how to reposition the reverse imagining crystal. I think this holds to key to changing her back. It's no danger to her right now, believe me."
Sam pushed her way from behind Jack and put her hands on her hips. "You do realize, Sir that I'm going to have to handle this device when we get to the planet right? And I am most likely going to have to enter this Hall of Transformation on my own. You can't wrap me in cotton and keep me protected you know!"
"How about bubble wrap?" he tried with a slight smile. He received a glare from her but chuckles from the others in the room for his efforts. Three out of four wasn't bad, he thought to himself. "Sorry Carter, that thing just makes me nervous. I take it you've figured out a bit more about the triangle thingy?" he asked.
"Triplexus!" she and Daniel fairly shouted at him. Jack just shrugged his shoulders, and then listened as they explained what they thought they would have to do. He frowned at the thought of Sam having to hold the device and enter the cavern on her own. He'd see about that when the time came! They discussed in more detail how they should proceed on the upcoming mission; Jacob adding valuable insight to the discussion.
General Hammond entered the room as the discussion was coming to a close. "I'm sorry Jacob, but it's time to get to the gate room. We'll begin dialing your coordinates in 10 minutes."
Sam's face fell at the thought of her father leaving already. She was hoping that they would have a little more time together. Her team mates noticed her dejected look and decided to say their goodbyes here so that Sam and her father would at least have a few moments alone as they walked to the gate room. Jacob shook hands with all of them and wished them luck on the mission. He grasped Jack's hand a little harder than usual, imploring him with his eyes to look after his little girl. Jack nodded in response before releasing his hand. He would keep the promise he had made last night. No matter what happened tomorrow, Sam wouldn't be injured if he could help it!
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The Stargate opened with its familiar Ka-woosh while General Hammond looked down at the two figures below. He sighed as he thought of how his friend must be feeling to be leaving his daughter right now. He wished things could be different, in so many ways. The only thing General Hammond could do was offer his support when needed and make every effort to ensure that Samantha Carter returned from the upcoming mission safely.
Down below, Sam clutched her father's hand as the gate roared to life. She tried unsuccessfully to stem the tears that pooled in her eyes. As he bent down to hug her, they flowed freely down her face. Jacob gently wiped them away with his thumbs. "Please don't cry Sammie. You know I can't bear it when you cry. You're going to be okay, you know that right?"
Unable to get a word out, Sam just nodded. Jacob gathered her in his arms and held her tightly. "I promise Sam, as soon as this mission is over, I'll come back. We'll have some special time together, okay? I know for a fact that George owes you some down time." He pulled back and kissed her on the cheek. "I love you Sammie, no matter what happens, I love you." He looked intently into her eyes.
Pulling in a breath, Sam answered shakily, "I know Dad. I love you too. I'll be fine. You know the guys won't let anything happen to me," she said with a slight smile.
"Yeah, I know baby. Just don't give them too hard of a time about being so over-protective. This is hard for them too." He smiled at her. "Although, if you could pull just one more fast one on the Colonel, I wouldn't mind too much!"
"Dad!" she laughed. "That's my CO you're talking about!"
"I know. But he deserves it!" He kissed her again, then stood up. His smile disappeared as he looked down at her. "Please take care of yourself Sammie. I want to come back to find you in one piece." He ran his hand one last time through her hair and down her cheek before cupping her chin gently. "I love you pumpkin."
Sam smiled at the childhood nickname and replied, "I love you too Dad. And take care of yourself too. I want to see you in one piece as well!" Jacob smiled in return, then let his hand drop as he turned and walked up the ramp. He stopped at the top and turned to look at his little girl one more time, before disappearing into the event horizon. Sam stood and watched the gate long after the worm hole had dissipated.
A/N: Several of you were hoping Jacob could stay around longer but I just wasn't confident in my ability to write his character for an extended period of time. Plus he would have taken over the "protective" role that Jack is playing. I didn't mean for the end of this chapter to be so sad either, but that is what came out! One more chapter before they head back to the planet! I am getting close to the end....finally!