Rating:G
Chapter 15 - Hide and Seek
A/N:Dawn is going to use about seven different names in this chapter. There is really no need to remember any of them.
Dawn said good bye to Nicol, the old woman who took her to St.Paul and looked around the busy street, thinking about what she had to do next. Money, the right appearance, transport. Three basic needs for anyone in a new town or ... well ... on a new planet. Dawn took some cash from the NID guards, but it wouldn't be enough to travel around the country, unless the inflation in this USA stopped in the 1920's and using credit cards would give away her position. She counted 356 dollars and fifty cents, however the money problem could wait. First she needed to change her clothes to look less suspicious. Her torn black combat outfit combined with the scratches and cuts on her arms screamed 'I escaped from a mad-house. Ask me how.' The first cop to see her would arrest her, not mentioning John knew how she looked. This meant SGC knew it as well and soon every newspaper would be full of her portraits, asking all the good faithful citizens to report the armed and dangerous lunatic.
After walking few blocks down the avenue, Dawn entered the first hypermarket on her way and bought cheap jeans, T-shirt, underwear, sun glasses, hair-dye, choosing blonde color and a map. She stuffed all her previous clothes into the bag, keeping only the black leather jacket. It was practical and she also couldn't afford to buy a new one though the prices were low. At least the prizes are different here, Dawn thought. It still amazed her how similar the two planets proved to be. Same countries and continents, same currency. She could recognize only a few variances when she studied the map. No California and of course no Sunnydale, Norfolk was on the western coast, Hudson's bay was much smaller, lake Michigan was called Michi gami and lake Superior Kitchi gami, which Dawn found somehow really cute. She would swear this Earth was in an alternate reality. Of course the time on this Earth was different as well. It was January 2005 on Dawn's homeworld, while she red in a Tauri newspaper the date May 2000, which explained the warm weather in a city close to Canadian borders.
Now Dawn needed more money and a car, which meant finding someone who would buy the NID weapons. She could steal, but that would draw even more attention to her. However to look for a weapon dealer is easier said then done. It's not like she could walk to the nearest shop and ask. Though if the situation on this Earth was the same as on her's, there was someone who could probably help her -a taxi driver. Dawn stopped a taxi and simply asked the man behind the steering wheel to take her to the worst part of the city. The guy warned her and tried to persuade her to change her mind, but she insisted. When the taxi reached it's destination and she got out, it was already dark and Dawn found herself in an empty street with broken and grilled windows, non-fuctional traffic lights and the popular sound of a police car chasing some robber creating appropriate background. Perfect.
She was a little scared, even though anyone who had spend a weekend with Faith knew exactly how to behave in this kind of neighborhood. Now all I have to do is to get robbed, Dawn smirked. Making a perfectly unprepared appearance, she slowly walked to the street's corner, looking for a possible prey when a guy she didn't notice cropped up behind her, pushing her towards the wall.
Dawn flung back her head, crushing the attacker's nose, forcing him to step away and then quickly turned around with her elbow aimed at his chin. The blow stroke home and the guy staggered, which gave Dawn a chance to grab his arm, twist it behind his back and shove him into the wall, reversing their situation.
"That was even faster then I hoped for.", Dawn remarked, searching through the young men's jacket and finding a small 45 caliber revolver. "Now would you be so kind and tell me where you got this?"
"Fuck you.", he tried to free himself, but Dawn just twisted his arm harder. "I don't spill info to whores or cops and you're probably both."
"And if I say please?", Dawn cocked his gun, placing the barrel right under his chin. "You know I always longed to see how a men's brain smeared over a concrete wall looks like. I guess I should thank you for offering me the opportunity to satisfy my desire."
"You wouldn't..."
"Did I mention I have a really bad day?", Dawn pressed the barrel of the gun harder to his skin. "And you certainly know what stress can do with the control of your fingers. They're shaking and quivering. You do realize how hard it is to keep them in one place, don't you?"
"Wait!", the guy quickly changed his opinion. Dawn was sure he'd piss in his pants if she had made another sarcastic remark. "I'll take you there."
Dawn pushed him in front of her, still holding his arm to make sure he wouldn't try to escape and followed him to another street. Two blocks from the place where he attacked her, the man entered a bar and the mixed smell of smoke and alcohol hit Dawn's senses as the eyes of locals studied the newcomer and her guide brought her to the background door behind the bar protected by a heavy who didn't give the impression of being particularly enthused by the visit of Dawn's robber.
"What do you want Harry?" ,the human dinosaur stopped them."Boss is busy. And I told you many times to leave your tramps outside of this building Johnson.", he added, giving Dawn a short glance.
"I'm here for business.", Dawn got the guard's attention.
"That exactly what I'm talking about."
"I'm meant this kind of business.", Dawn opened her bag, letting him take a look at the weapons stored inside. The man eyed her suspiciously for a while, but then nodded and let her into the next room after he checked she had all her weapons in the bag and not loaded. Dawn entered a storage area with many containers and crates, catching sight of a short man with the meanest look she'd ever seen sitting behind a table in the middle, smoking a cigar and watching her with curiosity like he couldn't decide what he was supposed to think about her.
"Welcome. You know, I usually don't get this type of visit.", he greeted Dawn with a false smile. "You said you want to trade, but from my point of view, you could be just a damned bluecoat. A very stupid one, to be more specific, because only an idiot would come here and introduce herself the way you did."
"Watch the news.", Dawn smirked. It has been more then six hours since she escaped from NID and she was sure SGC already started looking for her, using all means necessary. The dealer ordered his men to switch on the TV and choose the channel with local news. A reporter was just talking about a car crash near the city park and the boss sent Dawn a confused look.
"I'm sure it will be there.", Dawn stated calmly. They didn't have to wait long and another reporter appeared on the screen, standing in front of a nearly destroyed building with several firemen, smoke coming out of the debris.
"I'm standing in front of the old abandoned hospital with the team from St.Paul's fire-brigade ...", the live broadcast started."... where these brave men had to solve yet another outcome of human tragedy. Dawn Kusovich, a mentally unstable Russian emigrant escaped from the FBI custody and ended up here, living in this establishment for several days, probably because it reminded her of the clinic for mentally disordered where she had spent the last months and then burned down the building. The local FBI working on this case gave us several pictures and a short video showing Dawn Kusovich during her stay in the asylum, which we'll show you in a few moments. The FBI asks all citizens for cooperation. If anyone sees this woman, please call the local police or FBI agency. Please be aware Miss Kusovich might be armed and is extremely dangerous. Any information about the Russian emigrant will be rewarded."
Dawn watched a video of her in the TV with her arms crossed, choking back her desire to burst out laughing. The video record was obviously taken from the NID and modified, because she couldn't see John on any of the shown pictures. Insane Russian emigrant, Dawn summarized the cover story SGC used. These guys really needed a lesson in creativity.
"An interesting story Miss Kusovich.", the dealer remarked."Though the way you showed up here proves you might be insane, I seriously doubt it. However I believe you're not a cop and fortunately I'm not interested in the story of your life. There is only one thing bothering me at the moment. Why shouldn't I give you to the FBI and take the reward?"
"Of course you could.", Dawn shrugged."But if the word gets out, you're double-crossing your clients, you could promptly find yourself as a part of the concrete bottom of some new nearby residence."
"Clever and beautiful." the dealer chuckled. "I hate this combination, but I guess we should talk business now. What exactly do you offer?"
"I have one MP-5, two P-90, four 9mm pistols. I'll keep one pistol and several magazines, the rest is yours. I want a car, something common, with the right papers and five thousand dollars."
"These weapons aren't that expensive. I'll give you a brand new Ford and three thousand."
"Four and a half.", Dawn objected. In fact three would be probably enough, but she was sure the guy was ready to pay more.
"Four."
"Done." Dawn agreed and gave the dealer her weapons. Finally something I managed sooner then Buffy, Dawn smirked. Using black market to sell weapons ... well ... maybe that's not the best thing to brag about. Anyway most important was she got the means to start searching for her sister.
Washington D.C.
Senator Kinsey opened the steel door leading to the vault under his residence, walked to one of the concrete walls and typed the right code to disable the alarm on his safe. From the safe he took a Goa'uld communication orb and placed it on a table standing nearby. Kinsey had just received a message that Dawn had escaped from the laboratory and he knew explaining this failure won't be easy. He activated the orb and waited until the connection established and a figure in dark cloak appeared.
"She escaped."
"Your incompetence is incredible."Anubis stood up from the throne, his voice full of rage."How do you want to rule your world when you're unable to take care of two women? If you can't control them then kill both parts of the Key or our deal is over and I will be the one to destroy your planet."
"These slayers don't react the way we expected. After we had sent the bomb to Verona and kidnapped Buffy they were supposed to kill Hammond and everyone on the base.", Kinsey defended himself.
"I'm not interested in your excuses. I want results. You should remember that everyone is expendable." Anubis ended the transmission.
Kinsey left the secret room, thinking how to solve this situation. He didn't worry about Buffy. The drug NID used on her worked only partially but she still had no idea about being a slayer. She planned to join Bra'tac and his Jaffa in the fight against Goa'uld and such a small group wouldn't be a problem for Anubis's troops. Delivering her to Anubis this way will be even easier then sending a ship here. His problem was Dawn. He knew he had to find her before Hammond will have a chance to make peace with her people. He called the leaders of NID teams and ordered them to monitor members of SGC.
"Kill Dawn and anyone from stargate command she contacts." Kinsey told his subordinates. "Especially if she gets close to SG-1."
Kinsey was sure Dawn came to the planet to find her sister, which meant her destination will be SGC itself. He doubted a single woman could repeat the security breach from two weeks ago and that was actually the problem. If Dawn will be captured during her attempt to get inside the mountain, Hammond might explain her the conflict with NID and maybe even contact the president. Then Kinsey would lose his position or worse - he could be arrested for the crimes of his agents. No. Dawn had to be stopped before she would get a chance to share information with SGC.
----
Dawn sat in the car she had bought the previous day and started flicking over the pages of various newspapers until she finally found herself. "Here I am." She studied the picture which was obviously made from the NID's video records. "Yep. Dawn Kusovich. Nice picture." Dawn grinned. "The cover stories on this planet suck.", she noticed the 'police' number in the newspaper. She remembered the number - it was the same one John used in the hospital. "Looks like SGC wants me alive. Good for me!" Dawn smirked, her voice dripping with irony. She doubted anyone would recognize her because she had cut her hair and dyed it blonde as well as her eyebrows. Of course she already got rid of the old clothes as well. Add a pair of sunglasses and Dawn looked completely different.
Dawn finished reading the news and resumed driving. It didn't take long and she arrived to the crash site. The transport ship was gone, the Tauri probably managed to repair it or somehow transferred it to area 51. Dawn took the binoculars she had bought earlier and used them to examine the surroundings. After one hour she was quite sure nobody is guarding the crash site and went to pick up Vi's transmitter and PDA. She found both of them undamaged and they seemed to be working which was great luck considering the storm previous day. Dawn knew she was too far away from Antara to send a message so she left the forest, got in her car and searched through the info in Vi's PDA for the fastest way to Colorado Springs. During the search Dawn noticed another directory labeled Bauer. She opened it and found General Bauer's personal files with telephone number and address. Dawn's eyes narrowed. She would take care of him later. Her sister was more important.
According to the files downloaded from SGC, the refugees were usually taken to a military hospital in Colorado Springs and then sent to one of the few free planets that accepted people SGC saved. Her only lead was the photograph of what she thought was Buffy together with ten another villagers and a member of SG-1 she recognized as Daniel Jackson. No names, no personal files about the refugees, at least not in SGC. But where then? The place they called area 51? Sneaking into a heavily guarded military base could prove to be beyond her abilities. Perhaps it won't be necessary. Maybe the needed information was in the Colorado Springs hospital, which was a military institution yet it was definitely easier to enter.
Vi's PDA stored the downloaded access codes, but Dawn was sure SGC changed them right after the attack. However what probably stayed the same were the phone numbers and definitely the names of SGC members. A very useful information if she'd be able to find a way to use it. All direct calls to SGC were under permanent surveilance so calling to the headquarters was out of question, however ... Dawn got an idea. The telephone sets here didn't have the CLIP function to show the subscriber identification of an incoming call. So what about calling from SGC?
---
Standing in front of the activated stargate together with two other men from the world where she was captured several months before, Buffy got ready to leave the place she now almost considered her home, nervously stepping from one foot to the other. The two men said once more their thanks to the SGC soldiers and waited for Buffy to join them.
Buffy watched the familiar faces of people in the gateroom, feeling the sadness imprinted in their eyes. She had spent months on this planet and she knew it was time to move on, not with the world where she had found two great friends, but with the purpose of her life, which used to be waiting for a miracle, the hope that one day she might regain her memory and go back to whatever she was before she came to SGC. This option wasn't possible anymore. For months she searched for a way to remember her previous life, looked for a place where she'd belong, without realizing she already found it. It didn't matter what job or obligations she used to have, now she was free and chose to become a part of something important. She enjoyed her new role, even though she couldn't deny her fear from the Goa'uld and her doubts the Jaffa will consider her one of them.
"And what if they don't accept me?" Buffy turned to Daniel. "I mean Bra'tac told me the place is not exactly overcrowded by female soldiers. To be more accurate, I'll be the first one."
"The Jaffa respect fighting skills and I've seen you training with Teal'c. You learn incredibly fast Joan. I'm sure you'll do fine." Daniel tried to assure her. In fact Daniel would prefer Joan staying on Earth, billion miles away from any Goa'uld, save and knitting sweaters, but he had respected her decision and hoped his face didn't betray how scared he was for the new member of Bra'tac warriors. It was clear Joan was different from the first time she picked up a staff and he remembered well how shocked and enthused Teal'c was after their first training. In a single month Joan was able to learn the moves and techniques an average Jaffa had to study for ten years since his childhood. Her talent surpassed all expectations and that was exactly what scared Daniel the most, because it meant the woman he accepted as one of his close friends will soon fight in a battle that had already cost him more than he was ready to sacrifice.
After the death of Shauri Daniel was desperate, avoiding his friends and seriously speculating about leaving SGC and staying on Abydos. His wife was the main cause he decided to join SG-1 and when she passed away, he thought there was no reason for him to continue his work. The refugees he helped to survive, people like Joan proved him wrong, made him realize that as long as he could help, his life had a purpose. Once again he couldn't imagine working anywhere else but SGC.
However the fact Joan was a friend of two members of SG-1 definitely wasn't the only reason why there was a party the previous day with more then thirty soldiers, technicians and medical assistants. Joan brought to the mountain something very important they even didn't realize was missing. Life. Her endless and never-enough-to-be-regretted interest for the work of anyone she had met gave the people in SGC the so much needed chance to talk freely about their job, her puns and banter making everybody laugh, offering an opportunity to forget how responsible and dangerous the stargate mission was. She even made Teal'c smile, which was beyond the ability of anyone Daniel had met during his traveling all around the galaxy.
"You have the potential to become a great warrior." Teal'c slightly bowed his head. "Otherwise I wouldn't recommend master Bra'tac to accept you."
Buffy hugged Teal'c and then Daniel. "Thank you for everything you've done for me. I won't forget it." Buffy paused as another idea found a way into her mind and frowned. "But if one of you won't come to visit me at least once a month I'll come back and kick your ass."
"That would be a great disagreeableness." Teal'c stated with serious expression of someone who just lost hundred dollars in poker. "I'm sure all of us are already missing your hair styles recommendations. Especially the General and I."
"Hey!" Buffy turned to Daniel who started coughing from his attempts to keep a serious expression. "Did he just make a joke? The galaxy is doomed!", Buffy smirked and looked around the gateroom once more. "I'm gonna miss you both."
"Not as much as we will miss you.", Daniel whispered as Buffy took a deep breath, shaking away her fear and followed the two men through the wormhole.
----
It took Dawn three days to reach Colorado Springs, with a great luck that caused not a single cop wanted to see her ID during the trip. Now she was watching the gatekeeper guarding the entrance to the hospital with her binoculars, a green air force soldier uniform she planned to use in her bag. The soldier was controlling the identification of all visitors and Dawn realized she'd have to use the more hazardous version of her plan to get the files about refugees. The first step was to make sure Daniel Jackson wasn't inside the building, which was actually very easy to find out. In a nearby kiosk, she dialed the number of the reception, introduced herself as Daniel's friend and asked if she could speak with him. The reception clerk replied the archaeologist left three hours sooner, which meant the way was free. The second step would be more complicated. She needed to persuade Dr.West to give her the files or at least tell her where he kept them. Dawn browsed the information about SGC and chose a new operator, whose voice the doctor probably won't be able to recognize.
Dr.West just wanted to finish writing the report about the test results from P1X 547 and send them to Fraiser when his phone rang. He picked it up, ruminating about who had the guts to bother him in the late afternoon. "West."
"Doctor West, this is Jane Hicks from the mountain.", Dawn introduced herself, trying to make her voice sound deeper then it really was. "I'm sorry to bother you, but do you remember if doctor Jackson took the files about refugees from P2X 586 as Dr. Fraiser asked him?"
"Wait a minute.", doctor West looked into his desk. "No they're still here. Why? I thought you already have a copy, don't you?", West asked, finding the call a little suspicious.
"Actually some of our files were damaged during a security breech two weeks ago. I'm not authorized to give you details, but we need new copies and I hoped Daniel will bring them since he visits the hospital quite often. He probably forgot."
"Well I don't see a way how I could help you.", West replied, hoping the soldier on the other end will finally stop wasting his time. What does the woman expect? That he'll bring the reports the SGC by himself? Ridiculous."You'll just have to wait till he comes again. Or you can send someone else."
Dawn had to bite her arm to restrain herself from chuckling and blowing her cover. Not only did the guy believe she was calling from SGC, in his arrogance he even agreed to pass the files on someone else. "One of my colleagues is visiting the clinic today. Her name is Vanda Lipkin.", Dawn used another name from SGC. "Perhaps you could give her the files?"
"Only if you finally stop keeping me from finishing my job.", West agreed bitterly.
"Thank you for your cooperation Dr. West.", Dawn smiled. "Vanda will come by in about half an hour.", Dawn put down the receiver. Now she had to ditch the Ford close to the main gate and get some kind of military vehicle to bring her to the hospital. She was thinking about taking the Ford in the beginning, but decided against it. A military clinic probably used cameras to record every visitor and Dawn had to keep her car a secret, because getting a new one without an ID would be problem and she couldn't use a stolen car. It would make her too easy to find as well.
With a bicycle she bought during her trip, Dawn took the rarely used road leading from Colorado Springs to SGC, counting on the fact she'd soon meet a suitable vehicle. Dawn didn't have to wait long to see a jeep going in the same direction. Turning around and making sure they were alone, Dawn prepared to show a perfect example of a young injured woman in need of a strong man's help, hoping the driver had good reflexes. With a shriek she fell to the ground, rolling forward and then she stayed lying on the cold asphalt, not daring to move and waiting for the soldier to 'save' her. She heard the unmistakable sound of squeaking brakes and got ready, holding a pepper spray hidden under the right sleeve of her shirt, just in case she'd have to fight.
"Are you hurt?", a young man rushed to the wounded cyclist. She didn't seem to be seriously injured, but her trousers were torn, her knee bleeding and she had few nasty looking bruises.
"I'm fine.", Dawn replied, intentionally wincing when she moved her leg and as the soldier was helping her up, she faked her legs betrayed her and fell right into his embrace.
"Yeah. I can see how fine you are.", the man held her more tightly. "The hospital is only a mile away from here. I can take you so a doc can examine your injuries."
"Ok.", Dawn nodded, slightly trembling as she walked towards his jeep, supported by his arm. Of course she could easily ignore the pain, in fact her mind was an exemplary image of a mischievous grin. She rested on the passenger seat, while he took the bike and her bag and put it on the dicky-seat. "What's your name?", he asked.
"Buffy.", Dawn replied leisurely, but she was carefully watching the soldier's reaction. "Buffy Summers."
"Richard Fulton.", he introduced himself. "I'm sorry we meet in such an unpleasant circumstance. Buffy. That's an interesting name."
"Well my family comes from Vancouver. It's not that uncommon there.", Dawn shrugged. It seemed the man never heard of her sister. His answer was honest, but she wanted to be sure. "So you never met a woman called Buffy before?"
"Don't think so.", now it was his opportunity to shrug his shoulders. "Then again I had spent most of my life in Colorado and I've never been to Canada.", he added. Meanwhile the jeep reached the gate and the soldier showed his ID to the gatekeeper. "This woman is hurt.", he explained when the guard eyed Dawn curiously. "I'll take her to the doctor."
"I'll need her name to fill the papers for civilian patients.", the guard nodded. "And her ID."
"Buffy Summers.", Dawn replied with a weak shaking voice. "Here is the ID.", she put her hand into a pocket in her jacket, pretending she expected to find the ID there. "Oh, crap. I had to loose it when I fell down."
"We'll look for it after we make sure you're alright Buffy. It's no problem.", Richard Fulton assured her."Is it soldier?", he gave the gatekeeper a stern look.
"No Sir.", the guard quickly agreed. He didn't want to get into any kind of trouble, especially with people from SGC. "You may pass."
Fulton brought his car to stop close to the entrance to emergency, so that Dawn wouldn't have to walk too far and Dawn asked him if he could find a doctor who doesn't have to take care of other patients an the moment. Fulton agreed, letting Dawn rest on a seat close to the offices and left to look for someone who could examine her. Dawn used this time to return to the jeep, take the military outfit out of her bag and carefully hid it inside a nearby toilet, making sure nobody saw her. She noticed the lavatories were placed between corridors and could be accessed from two sides, which was an advantage she planned to use later. Fulton returned with a doctor who took Dawn to make X-ray of her hurt arm and head. Later a nurse bandaged her arm after she had cleaned the wounds, while the pictures were developed. Of course Dawn was aware they won't find any broken bones so she enjoyed the waiting, talking with the nurse about life in Colorado.
The doctor soon returned with the results, assuring Dawn all her bones were perfectly intact, but she still asked her to rest and avoid strain. Dawn thanked the kind woman for her help, pretending she was ready to leave and the doctor called Richard Fulton to escort her out of the hospital and drive her home.
"I need to ...", Dawn stopped when they were passing the toilet where she hid her second clothes. It was time to follow her plan. Now she had to persuade the soldier she needed to spend the next fifteen minutes in the lavatory, without being disturbed.
"What's wrong?", Fulton asked.
"Well ... I have to ... you know ... few days in the month ...", Dawn blushed, motioning to the toilets, trying to create the feeling the situation was really embarrassing for her.
"Oh! ... I'm sorry. Of course ...", the brave soldier babbled. "You want me to get one from the doc?"
"I already asked the nurse.", Dawn showed him a box with tampons, disappearing inside the lavatory. As soon as the door closed behind her, she rummaged out the military uniform, quickly changed and left the room on the opposite side, heading to Dr.West's office. She found him soon, still buried in his work and it brought her a strange pleasure to disturb him again.
"Dr.West. I'm Vanda Lipkin.", Dawn hoped the doctor had never seen the woman she pretended to be. "Dr. Fraiser asked me to bring her files about the refugees from P2X 586. I suppose one of our operators informed you?"
"Yes. I remember the annoying woman very well.", West nodded, giving the records to Dawn. "Please take the files about P1X 547 to Fraiser as well. Now if you don't mind I'd like to continue my work.", the doctor indicated in a very improper manner he didn't wish Dawn's company.
"Thank you doctor.", Dawn didn't waste time and quickly left, ready to hurry back to the toilets when she heard a phone ring inside West's office.
"Dr.West.", Dawn heard from the room. "Yes doctor Fraiser I've already finished the test on the people from P1X 547. I've just given it to this ... Lipkin was her name, I think."
Dawn froze when she realized the person calling to West was Fraiser and started to panic. She was considering taking care of West before he'd alert the guards, but that would hardly help, because Fraiser would immediately call the security if their call was interrupted. It was clear her escape would now require a serious improvisation. "What do you mean you haven't sent anyone to our hospital?", was the last sentence of West's argument with the SGC medical commander Dawn heard before she broke into run towards the toilet where she left her civilian clothes.
After she slipped out of the military outfit, Dawn put on her trousers and jacket and rushed into the corridor where she thought Fulton was still waiting for her, however before she reached the door, the sound of an alarm echoed through the halls. It wasn't very loud, probably because of the many patients in the hospital, but it was clear all soldiers in the building were now fully alert. When she got out of the room, Fulton was out of sight, probably trying to find out the reason for the security alarm. She walked towards the entrance, hoping to pass the distance between the building and the gate unnoticed.
"Here you are Buffy.", Fulton came to her when she left the emergency. Fortunately for Dawn, she managed to put the stolen files inside her bag before he noticed it. "I better take you some place safe before the guards will find out what's happening."
Ok. No easy sneaking out alone, Dawn thought, watching the soldier who took her to the clinic. Time to create another distraction. "Can't we just leave?", Dawn beg him, making her voice as frightened and desperate as possible. "Please. That patient ..."
"I'm sorry.", Fulton gave her a soothing smile to comfort her. Why was she so scared? It was probably just a false alarm. "No one is allowed to leave during a security breech. We should go back inside now."
"I'm not going back inside until he's in there.", Dawn shook her head, her face trembling, but determined.
"What are you so afraid of?" , Richard Fulton couldn't understand why the woman in front of him seemed to be scared beyond words. "What's wrong with the patient?"
"I don't know!", Dawn cried, "He was talking with a doctor and suddenly his voice got so deep and then ... I know it sounds crazy but ... it was like his eyes were glowing!"
"Shit!", Fulton swore. "Hey you!", he shouted at the gatekeeper. "Come with me!" , he draw his gun and carefully opened the door leading inside, searching for any movement. Then he realized Dawn was still standing next to him. "Buffy run away and wait outside the complex for someone from SGC to pick you up. We might need you as a witness.", he advised her.
Dawn didn't have to be told twice. She grabbed her bag and hurried to the gate, without anyone to stop her. Mission successful, Dawn grinned. To get in and out had cost her only a few scratches and the necessity to change her hair color once more, because soon the soldiers will realize who the wounded woman in need really was. With the information about refugees on the passenger seat, Dawn rapidly left Colorado Springs.
----
After Daniel and Teal'c said their good bye to Buffy, they returned back to the conference room where Jack was talking about Dawn with Hammond and Sam. "I think Junior here could give us a better description of that slayer who is not a slayer." Jack told the others while Teal'c and Daniel were entering the room.
"I don't remember my symbiont ever giving me informations about slayers O'Neill."
"Not your Junior Teal'c. I mean my Junior." Jack explained.
"I had no idea you are carrying a symbiont." Teal'c answered surprised, not noticing John on the other side of the room.
"He means John. His clone." Sam informed Teal'c. "He didn't tell us much about her."
"Because I don't know anything else Carter. " John defended himself." And would someone finally tell me why is she so important?"
Jack gave Hammond a questioning look and the General nodded. "I'll give you the short version. A week ago General Hammond was replaced by General Bauer. We know it was organized by Kinsey. Bauer accidentally sent a naquadah bomb to a planet called Verona and it almost destroyed a whole civilization. The slayers took over SGC and warned us if something like that happens again we're on the slay list. That's why we have to find her before Kinsey because if something happens to her then we're screwed."
"Why don't you contact the slayers and try to explain to them it wasn't your fault?"
"They know it wasn't, that's why we're still alive." Jack informed his clone. "And we can't contact them because the slayers made it clear they don't give strangers their address after the first date."
"I'll help you to find her." John agreed. "But I want to know everything about slayers and I'll do it only under the condition SGC won't hurt her."
"Agreed.", the General nodded. "However we shouldn't forget that even though we definitely need to capture Dawn alive, we also mustn't allow an incident like the Spring's hospital happen again."
"I should personally beat the crap out of the two morons who let her enter.", Jack clenched his fists. "And that doctor West should be fired as well. I mean, why do we have all these security and authentication procedures when all she had to do was pretend she called from the mountain?"
"I told you she's smart.", John smirked at his older version.
"You came to that conclusion because of a nasty bulge on your head.", Jack tried to hush him.
"You don't get it, do you?", John faced his predecessor, angry they didn't take his opinion seriously. "Whatever her reason was to get inside the hospital and steal the files about those people from Apophis's worlds, she succeeded. We should find out why she came to this planet before she decides to continue her plan, because if it has something to do with the NID then we'll see many new graves in the near future and one of them will be her's."
----
Dawn has been waiting near the house where General Bauer was supposed to live for more then three hours, but none of the people entering or leaving the house belonged to Bauer's family according to the files in Vi's PDA. After she had left Colorado Springs, Dawn searched through the stolen records, but couldn't find any information that would indicate Buffy's presence on Tauri. Also the soldier she met had no idea who her sister was, so Dawn was quite sure Buffy wasn't on the planet anymore, that's why she decided to finish what Vi couldn't. Kill Bauer.
Using her binoculars, Dawn read the label on the letter box: Harting. Something was wrong, it seemed Bauer's family moved and she needed another way to find out where the General really lived. She couldn't just walk into the house and ask, because there was a high probability it's under surveillance by SGC. Fortunately she knew another way. At first Dawn drove to the nearest shop to buy a catalogue with local phone numbers and also detailed information about various companies and after she found what she needed, Dawn walked to a kiosk in abandoned street where no one would interrupt her. Unfortunately she couldn't find Bauer's phone number, the numbers of military generals were probably secret. Browsing the catalogue, Dawn noticed the telephone companies like Connection One didn't use number portability yet, which meant the Bauers had to change their number when they moved. Dawn dialed Mrs Harting, waited till she picked up and started talking without giving the woman a chance to introduce herself.
"Mrs Bauer, this is Amanda Cross from Connection One. May I ask if you had any problems with your..."
"You have a wrong number Miss." the woman cut in, "My name is Mrs. Harting."
"Oh, no. Not another one." Dawn sighed, trying to make her voice as frustrated and depressed as possible.
"Is there a problem Miss Cross?", Mrs. Harting was getting more and more confused by this call.
"I'm sorry, it's just...", Dawn started explaining her cover story."...we installed a new database system and yesterday it broke down and we lost all new records so we had to reload the old database and now we're checking all numbers of our clients. I'm really sorry I didn't explain it right in the beginning. It's just that our team has been up since four this morning, correcting the mistakes and the boss keeps yelling at us like it's our fault the system doesn't work properly. Your number is attached to the name Bauer in the old records. I guess they don't live there anymore?"
"No, the family sold us this house two weeks ago and moved to a small town somewhere near Denver. I don't know where exactly they live now."
That's a pity, Dawn thought. If the woman knew Bauer's new address, it would make the situation much more simple for Dawn. Now she'd have to make a risky step and ask if Mrs. Harting doesn't remember their phone number.
"But I know their phone number." Mrs. Harting added. She wanted to help the young Miss Cross. Mrs. Harting used to work as an accountant when she was younger and she knew exactly how stressing a job with a shirty boss can be. "I wrote it down, because Mrs. Bauer said she'll hire a transport company to bring her some of the heavier furniture. They decided to leave most of their stuff here though and buy a completely new equipment in Denver. The number is 87 326 415 784."
"Thank you so much." Dawn smirked, writing down the reason of her call. "You saved me a lot of trouble." Mrs. Harting gave her even more information then Dawn hoped for. So Bauers will hire a transport company? She already knew how to use it.
"I'm glad I could help you." Mrs. Harting smiled, happy she could save the poor worker long hours of searching. "I hope you'll find everything you need."
"Me too.", Dawn agreed. "Thank's again for the number."
"You're welcome." Mrs. Harting hung up and Dawn dialed the number she gave her after searching for additional information in the catalogue. The second step was to find out Bauer's address.
"Mrs. Bauer.", Dawn heard a pleasant female voice.
"Mrs.Bauer, this is Rebecca Milton from Walter's delivery." Dawn made up another name to create an operator in the transport company. "May I interest you with the offer of our services?"
"I'm sorry dear, but I don't like this telemarketing thing. I guess I'm too old fashioned." Mrs.Bauer wanted to hung up, uninterested in whatever this girl was offering.
"Oh, I'm not trying to sell you anything Mrs.Bauer.", Dawn assured her. "Walter's delivery is the most renowned transport company in Colorado and we'd like to offer you the possibility to register. We ship anything up to ten tons within 24 hours and when the destination is bellow 100 miles then within twelve hours. All transported items are insured and we pay 100 percent of the original prize in case anything is damaged plus 300 dollars as compensation. Whatever you need to bring to your house or get rid of all you have to do is to register and call us."
Transport company? That caught Mrs.Bauer's interest. Perhaps she could book the delivery of the two cupboards they left in their old house."How much does it cost to enrol?"
"The registration is free of course.", Dawn informed her. "And all customers get 10 percent discount for the first three deliveries. All required information are your phone number, which we already know and your address."
"Ok then." Mrs.Bauer agreed. "I'd like to deliver two cupboards from Colorado Springs, Marker Street 10 to Oaksville South Street 25. The woman's name in Springs is Mrs. Harting and she'll show your people what to take."
"Oaksville, South, 25.", Dawn repeated. "Thank you Mrs.Bauer for choosing our company. Your delivery should arrive probably next morning between ten and eleven AM. Have a nice day Mrs.Bauer."
"You too Rebecca.", Mrs.Bauer smiled, saying goodbye, hung up her phone and left to take care of her garden. What a lucky coincidence, she thought, to get a call from a transport company exactly in the moment she needed it.
Dawn put the receiver down very slowly, glad the call was over, because she wasn't sure how long she'd be able to keep up without blowing her cover. Mrs.Bauer seemed like a very nice person who probably had no idea about the General's crimes and this was the first time Dawn really realized what she was planning. A murder of her husband. She still had time to turn back, forget the stupid revenge and ... then what? Die during sneaking into some SGC base in a useless attempt to get her ship back? Why is always everything so complicated. Instead of landing near Colorado Springs and rescuing Buffy, she had to fight Jaffa in a Ha'tak, lose one of her few friends, ship-wreck the Pel'tak, get kidnapped by NID, meet John, which was actually a good thing, because he helped her to escape, but it wasn't enough to tip the scale.
Dawn braced herself up, forgetting her doubts. She will finish what she started. Now Dawn had to make one more call to cover her tracks. She picked up the phone once more and dialed, putting a napkin in front of her mouth, hoping it would make her voice sound older.
"Welcome to Walter's delivery.", a young female voice greeted her. "How can I help you?"
"My name is Jessica Bauer." Dawn pretended to be the General's wife. "I would like to register and book a delivery...
The next day, Oaksville
Dawn carefully continued walking through the park that was in the suburban district of Oaksville and near Bauer's house. The place was almost empty because it was nine in the morning and the most people were at work or at school, Dawn's only companions were pigeons pecking up what the humans abandoned during the early hours.
Dawn stopped behind a beech, not more then two hundred meters from Bauer's house and took out her binoculars, but before she had time to use them somebody grabbed her from behind and started dragging her away from Bauer's residence. Dawn didn't hesitate and used her nails on the attacker's arm to weaken his grip, then she got hold of his arm and toss him over her shoulder. Dawn wanted to continue her counterattack but stopped once she realized who her assailant was.
"What are you doing here?"
"Saving your ass because you helped me save mine." John explained while he was standing up. "Forget about Bauer."
"He has to pay." Dawn stated, not ready to give up so easily. "And you can't stop me."
"I won't try to stop you." John shook his head. "But the five SG teams and about forty NID agents will. You can't see them but they're hidden all around Bauer's house and waiting for you to make a move. It wasn't so hard to guess why you came to this planet. Also next time when you pretend to be a operator of a local transport company I suggest using real names of their workers."
"If you knew what he did, you would understand that I can't just walk away."
"I know exactly what he did." John informed Dawn, who didn't even try to hide her surprise. "And if I could I would kill him myself but right now is getting closer then 150 meters from his house a suicide." John took Dawn's hand and they both headed to the other side of the park. "You should get out of this planet while you still can."
"You know without a ship leaving could prove a little problematic." Dawn sighed.
"Yeah. I heard it's in area 51. No chance to get inside that complex without at least an Abrams." John agreed. "What about your transmitter?"
"I'm too far to communicate with our base so the chance it is ... active!" Dawn saw the signalling of an incoming transmission.
"Dawn. This is Willow. Are you all right?"
"Yes! Where are you?" Dawn asked, happy to hear the familiar voice.
"In a transport ship in the low orbit of Tauri. I'll reach your position in about two minutes." Willow informed Dawn.
"You better hurry." Dawn blurted out when she saw what John's arm was pointing at. These guys possessed the ability to show up in the worst possible moment imaginable. "Are those vans what I think they are?"
"NID." John nodded. "Come on. We have to get you to safety until your ship arrives."
The two of them started running towards the end of the park. It seemed the two vans didn't want to follow them through the park and just stopped in front of it. John swore when he saw eight men dressed in dark blue outfits jump out of the vans and start chasing them.
"I didn't belive I would ever say that, but right now I would like someone from SGC to be here." Dawn admitted. "Can't you call them?"
John shook his head. "I didn't take a cell phone because they would use it to follow me."
Dawn and John resumed sprinting and almost reached the park's other end when they saw another blue van on the road in front of them. John looked around nervously. They both knew they were trapped.
"Go! I'll try to slow them down." John shouted at Dawn.
"How? You're not even armed." Dawn refused and prepared for a fight. Though the NID agents were still more then hundred meters away, their destination was decreasing with every second. All of a sudden the air above them shimmered as transport ship decloaked right over their heads.
"Need a lift?" Dawn heard Willow's voice from the transmitter "You're lucky I found Vi's message sooner than I was supposed to."
"Great timing!" Dawn smiled but stopped when she realized John had no chance to escape. From the expression on his face he knew it too. "Come with me." Dawn offered.
"What?"
"You said you'd do anything to join the fight against the Goa'uld once more. I'm giving you the chance. Or do you want to spend the next years in a laboratory?"
John looked at Dawn and then back at the approaching agents. He didn't hesitate for long and nodded. Dawn told Willow to activate the rings and they both transported to the ship, leaving their pursuers who got into cover as soon as the Pel'tac appeared. Willow cloaked the ship anew and headed away from the planet at full speed, because she wasn't ready to risk Tauri try to fire blind and launch rockets to bring them down. After they reached the orbit she entered the Earth's coordinates and jumped into hyperspace.
Jack got out of the third blue van, watching the place where his clone and Dawn had disappeared one minute before, followed by Teal'c and eight other members of SGC dressed as NID agents. Jack took out his cell phone and called Hammond."Looks like she bought it."
End chapter.
A/N: Well, did you enjoy Dawn's spy stuff? In case you did tell me, because I'm thinking about doing a chapter about Dawn versus NID that would take place in the middle of Hide and Seek. I case you wonder why Dawn couldn't find Buffy's records, the answer is because her doctor had sent them to St.Paul in Behind the Lines.