Part 23
I awoke in an ambulance. I was disorientated and started to call out for Cassie. My father climbed in and took me into his arms and hugged me, thanking God that Cassie, Murphy and I were safe.
I asked how I had gotten in the ambulance and asked where the others were. He let me go and held my hand.
He informed me that Cassie was in another ambulance having her ankle looked at. Daniel had carried her down part of the mountain and Teal'c ended up carrying her the rest of the way.
He then looked at me and said that Jack had carried me since I had lost consciousness due to the drug Kehr had given me.
"You're lucky you did have that protein marker in your blood Sammie. A normal person would not have survived that dosage."
I nodded and told him I still felt a bit disorientated. I asked where Jack was.
"Kehr shot Jack Sammie. Nothing serious, he just skimmed his arm. Unfortunately, he got away. They're still looking for him up on the mountain."
I threw the sheet off of me and tried to get up, wanting to go to Jack. He stopped me from getting up and told me that Jack was okay. If he had really been hurt, how could he have carried me down the mountain? He also said that he had brought a healing device and had used it on him already. I calmed down and leaned back on the gurney. He said he'd try to get Cassie healed, but there were too many people around.
Satisfied with his answer, I asked when had he returned. He went into great detail on the events that had happened earlier.
He had taken care of his business with the Tok'ra. When he stepped through the gate he was greeted by general Hammond with all that had happened since he had left. He was informed of the deaths of Peters and Major Palmer and about Agent Barrett's new assignment from the President.
"George and I were about to get into more detail when Jack called to see when I was getting back, saying he needed to speak to me. He informed me what you did Sammie. What is wrong with you? Resigning? Do you think that was the solution to your problems? You're a soldier and when emotions run high you have to step back. He asked me to come and speak with you since you weren't speaking to him anymore. I told George I was going to Jack's, but he was talking to the President."
I told Dad that I regretted everything I had said to Jack. My emotions had gotten the better of me and my nerves were a frazzled mess.
Before my dad could leave, Agent Barrett ran into the office. Barrett told them that Murphy couldn't be the NID mole, that he had just gotten information that she was the one compiling the report for the old and new Presidential administration. She had not contacted her team in 2 days and that's why he had been called in. Barrett informed
the President of Cassie and Murphy's abduction. He also informed us that Murphy's CO was on his way to the SGC.
I stopped my father and asked about Murphy. Before he could answer, I heard yelling coming from outside the ambulance.
"Listen here cupcake. You have gone way beyond the boundaries of legalities handling this assignment. I should have you thrown back into the brig for this. Oh come on, that scratch is nothing but a flesh wound. Suck it up soldier. Are you listening? If you're not
dead or unconscious, you'd better be listening."
I looked outside and could see Murphy in a gurney ignoring the man that was yelling at her. Ferretti, SG3, and what looked like her team, was with her. The older gentleman in a General's uniform continued to yell, saying that she had a lot to answer for. I could
see that Murphy was trying hard not to loose her cool.
I looked at Dad. "That's Murphy's CO, Lt. General William Richmond Murphy."
I was in shock. "Lt. General, I didn't know Murphy's dad was a Lt. General."
"He's not her father. He's her uncle and he's been nothing but frantic about her. When she didn't check in with her team, he was the one who sent for Barrett. You should have seen him when he got to the SGC, barking orders and wondering why we couldn't locate his niece. He wanted to know who was responsible for the abduction, and that he was personally going to string Kinsey up by his toes."
We heard more screaming from outside as Murphy yelled back. "Listen here, you old goat I've had it up to here with the lectures and your threats to throw me in the brig. I'm done paying my debt to society. You should be happy that your best operative came
out of this assignment alive. I've been shot at, stabbed, punched and been shocked by the worse weapon I've ever come across, and all you can do is nag? Get away and leave me alone before I use this and see how you feel afterwards," Murphy yelled
Murphy picked up the pain stick but Ferretti grabbed it from her hand. Before they could start yelling again, I called out to her. She turned and smiled at me and asked the attendants to stop.
She looked tired and beaten, but still had a sparkle in her eye. She said she was happy we had escaped, and thanked me for giving her the warning about Russell.
"I wouldn't be here right now if it weren't for that, so thanks. I really appreciated it."
I asked what had happen to Russell.
She explained that she dove behind the box and lost her gun in the process.
"I was defenseless. He came around and I hit him hard. He lost his gun and we started to struggle. I kicked him off and tried to get away. He ended up stabbing me on my thigh. I thought I'd finally had it. That's until Indiana Ferretti here came swinging by and knocked the jerk to the ground and rescued me."
Ferretti looked at me. "Russell had it coming. No one messes with my team and gets away with it. I saw what Kehr had done to her and as soon as Murphy's taken to the hospital, we will be going out to search for him."
Murphy tried to smile but winced in pain. All her team members started to ask what was wrong and started to call the medics over.
"I should be the envy of every woman having all these men worried about me," she chuckled.
The medics came over and said that they had to get her to the SGC infirmary.
Everyone left, but I still hadn't seen Jack. I didn't want to ask my dad where he had gone to, or why Dad was here instead of him.
Dad continued his story. He told me how he Agent Barrett, General Hammond and General Murphy had gone over to the Colonel's house. Maybourne was not there, which was a good thing. Trying to explain why a person accused of treason was in the Colonel's house was not something easily explained. Jack had taken him aside and explained what had happen at the warehouse and also about my resignation. He asked if he could try and talk me out of it.
"I was about to walk down the hall when Jack's phone began to ring. Daniel and Teal'c had just arrived and Agent Barrett was explaining what Murphy's real assignment was. Jack let out a groan and ran to his room. He pushed me aside and kicked down his door.
Teal'c, Daniel, both Generals and Barrett had followed him down the hall and heard him curse himself for not tying you up to a chair."
I told dad my side of what had happened. I told him I was lucky enough to have had my phone and could redial the last number I'd called.
"You're right kiddo. You're lucky it was Jack's phone you had called last. He had Barrett call to get the authorities over to your house. When he lost contact with you he nearly lost it. He threw his phone across the room and went to retrieve his gun from his room.
We were about to leave when Murphy's team stormed the Colonel's house."
Dad said while they were sorting things out at Jack's, Barrett had been contacted by the authorities to inform them that I was not at my house, but that there had been a struggle and my front door was wide open.
Dad told me the Lt. General contacted the President with the new developments. He had all public and military airports ground all flights in and around Colorado. Had roadblocks set up by the state patrol and had all bus and train terminals shut down.
Murphy's team said that if she got into any trouble she would use plans B. Jack asked what Plan B was and Murphy's second said that she had a transponder on her that when activated, it would send out a signal and would be easy to track. They had been waiting since last night for her to turn on the transponder when she had not met them as usual. It had turn out to be a waiting game.
I explained to him that Murphy had given Cassie a bracelet that had the transponder in it. We activated and waited for Murphy's team.
"Yeah, we set up the equipment to receive the signal at Jack's. Jack was unbearable. Daniel and Teal'c had to take him outside to calm him down. I went out and spoke to him. He was not very happy with you and was saying things that I'm sure he's sorry he
said now. Sam, I don't know what's going on between you and Jack. I do believe that you would not risk your careers, but I'm not blind. I could see that this was affecting him more then a normal CO should react about his 2IC. I asked him if he loved you."
I looked up at my dad. I didn't know what to say. I asked my dad what Jack said.
"We were interrupted by Ferretti telling us that we had a signal and they should have a location in minutes. Jack walked inside to get more information, but before going in, he asked Ferretti to get in contact with Maybourne and to inform him to lay low until he
heard from him."
Jack hadn't answered him. We were saved by the transponder. Why was I feeling disappointed? Did I want him to know?
My dad went on. "The rest you know Sam. We're lucky that it came out like it did. You have a lot of explaining to do. You're a soldier. You can't let your emotions take over and you can't be making the decisions you did. Your life was not the only one in danger here."
I asked Dad were Jack was.
"He's been waiting on the side of the ambulance for me to finish speaking to you. You two have a lot of talking to do and since your not that injured, I think you can hold your own. Sammie, I've known Jack for some time, but I've never seen him go from the frantic CO I saw at his home to the cool as steel soldier he became here. He promised me that he wouldn't lose control when he spoke to you."
I looked at my dad as he got up and left the ambulance. When he was at the doors, he turned around. "Sammie, about the question I asked him. He said more then I could imagine. He said that he was sorry he hadn't come clean earlier with me, but he didn't care who knew now."
With that, he left and I could hear him speaking to Jack outside. I pulled the covers off and started to go outside. I stepped down and still felt a little dizzy. I gripped the door and turned around to the side of the ambulance. Daniel was standing by the doors. Daniel waved at me and came over and asked if I was okay.
I told him yes. I asked how Cassie was doing. He said that they were about to leave to the SGC and Cassie had been given a sedative to sleep.
"Me and Teal'c are going with her. Don't worry Sam we'll take care of her you need to rest you look like hell." I was about to respond when Daniel motioned me to turn
around.
There stood Jack. I was surprised by the emotionless expression he wore. Daniel said he'd talked to me later unless I wanted him to stick around.
"He looks pissed Sam and he's been nothing but nasty since you left the house. I'm sure your dad told you he doesn't want us to interfere when he talks to you but I'm having second thoughts."
I smiled and thanked him for his concern but I told him I had to do this on my own.
"I said a lot of things to him Daniel, I'm not sure if he told you but what I said could effect all of our lives. I'm sorry now for what I said and he has every right to be angry at me."
I turned around and started to walk up to Jack. I had my hands behind my back and stopped right in front of him. I was looking down and could feel him staring right through me. I looked up and could see the same expression on his face. I said that I heard he wanted to speak to me alone.
Before I knew what was happening Jack had dropped his P90 and threw me over his shoulder and started walking towards the forest. I started to pound on his back and yelled at him to put me down. Daniel yelled at him to put me down and dad chimed in also. I was swung around and heard Jack scream back to them to butt out. He had their word that they would not interfere. That this was between us and he needed to speak to me alone.
I was surprised by his tone and the anger in his voice telling me to stop moving. That I should have expected this, but I thought maybe since we had gotten out of this in one piece, that he would be more forgiving.
He walked until we were far away from the others. He stopped and slowly put me down.
I waited for him to speak, but he turned his back to me. I didn't know what to do. Should I reach out to him? Or wait till he was ready to speak. Then I heard a low whisper.
"Are you okay? That drug that they shot you with was very powerful," he said tentatively.
I responded that I was just a little sore but that I'd live.
He turned around and grabbed my upper arms looked me straight at me.
"That was the stupidest thing you've ever done. What the hell were you thinking? Did you think of the consequences if we didn't have Murphy's transponder to locate you? Do you realize that you disobeyed a direct order? You could have gotten Cassie, Murphy and yourself killed. Dammit Sam! I thought you said you wouldn't run. I thought you trusted me to get her back. You said you would talk to me before you made any decisions. Do you know what it felt like when I picked up the phone and heard you talking to Russell or how I felt when I kicked my bedroom door and discovered you weren't there?"
Tears were running down my face. What had I put him through?
He looked hurt, angry and scared. I said that I was sorry, that I never meant to cause him this much pain and that I wasn't thinking. I had let my emotions rule my head.
"I would never deliberately hurt you, Jack. You mean more to me then you'll ever know. I should have come to you but they said no SGC. I was angry with you. I know that's not an excuse, but I thought you hated me for all the awful things I had said in the warehouse and back at the house. I thought it was my only choice. Cassie's life was more important than my happiness."
He let me go and turned away from me. I wiped the tears from my face and hugged myself tightly. I looked at him and waited.
"I don't think I can handle this Sam. I thought you trusted me. I don't think I can continue knowing that I don't have that from you. The anger I felt when Kehr struck you up on the mountain was nothing like I've ever experienced. It wasn't me who came flying out those bushes. I let my emotions take over and I could have gotten Daniel, Teal'c, Cassie and you killed. I don't ever want to lose control like that again. When he took off, I went after him. I tackled him and started to beat him. I thought of all the things he had done to you and I beat him to within an inch of his life. That's how I got shot and he got away. I let my emotions overtake me."
I walked up to him and turned him around. He was looking at the ground. I used my hand to lift his chin so I could see his eyes. The pain I saw in them almost broke my heart. I let out a sob and gather him in my arms. I started to cry again, whispering to him that I did trust him that I had taken things into my own hands and not included him, and for that I was sorry. If I could redo this day over again I would. But I begged him not to shut me out of his life. He was my life and if he didn't want me anymore then I had nothing to
live for.
He held on to me tightly and whispered in my ear that if anything had happen to me then he didn't know what he would have done. He felt useless not being able to help.
"Sam you don't realize how close I came to losing it. I really think we should step back and see if this is what we really want."
I shook my head no. Even if he didn't want me anymore, I would love him till I died. If my actions had cost me his love, then I would have to face the consequences.
I gather his face in my hands and kissed him with a longing that I knew he would feel. We deepen the kiss and I could feel him getting aggressive, wanting to make sure I was real. I stopped him by saying I wasn't going anywhere. I didn't care about the regulations.
All I wanted was to be with him. My life was Cassie and him everything else was second.
He promised we'd work it out, even if we had to both retired. Then he pulled something from his pocket.
He held my dog tags in his fingers. As I reached for them, he pulled them behind his back and said no. I asked if he was going to hold what I said in the garage against me. He said he'd think about it.
I said fine, that I was going to retire and never speak to him again. He chuckled and gave me back my tags.
"I don't think the program could deal with the lost of two key members of their flagship team. Anyway, I think the new President owes us one for exposing Kinsey."
I smiled at him and he smiled back. We started to walk back, stopping every once in a while to reaffirm our commitment, and for me to swear on his life that I would never do anything that would put me in danger ever again. Each time I'd did that, he kissed me and said not to forget.
Dad was lingering by the ambulance and had seen us. I smiled at him and he nodded back.
Jack whispered to me. "Your dad is not going to like me. He literally told me that I wasn't good enough for you. I don't blame him, I'm not."
Daniel, who was standing nearby as we approached, heard what Jack had said and shook his head. "If Jacob can't accept that you two have been fighting this "thing" you have had since you met, then that's too bad. I'm happy you two have found the happiness I wish I'd had with Janet."
With that he walked away and went to speak with my Dad. Jack was speechless, as I was.
"He never ceases to amaze me. I'm glad to have him as a friend, as well as Teal'c. It's just surreal to me that you want me at all. I'm the luckiest man in the world and beyond."
I gave him a big smile and pulled him down for a kiss. "Don't ever forget that. But I'm the one who's lucky."
We walked hand in hand over to them, knowing the ties we had built bound us to one another and could never be broken.
The End.
Thanks for reading all the way through. I hope you all enjoyed this as much as I enjoyed writing. Big hugs and Kisses to my Beta Suz W. with out her help and support I would have never even attempted to write this story. Like I've said before Suz you inspire me with all your great stories and one day hope to be as good as you!
Thanks again and if you can drop a note to tell me what you thought of the story.
