The Heart's Refusal to Believe – Ch. 10

Huge thanks to NG and TZMaverick for Beta reading this chapter!

Thanks to everyone that has reviewed! Sorry it's has been a while, but my nephew was born and I had to go spoil him. 8-)

Spoilers for "2001"

It had been a very long five days of waiting for Jack, Jacob, Daniel, and Teal'c. They arrived the day before in a cloaked Tel'tak just outside the Aschen Confederation to scout the area and nearby planets. They were hoping to stop the Al'kesh before it entered the Confederation. Their primary goal was to rescue Colonel Carter, and if they could do that before she actually made it to an Aschen world it would make it all the better. They didn't want the Aschen to know their bomb that was sent through Earth's Stargate was unsuccessful three years ago.

They had learned a couple of days before from General Hammond that Captain Winters believed Pete's story and that he was taken into custody after he completed his transmission to Kinsey.

The Prometheus had been in regular contact with Jack regarding the Al'kesh's location. Kinsey had taken the bait and was heading right towards them.

"They should be here in ten minutes are you ready?" Jack asked Jacob who was piloting the Tel'tak.

Jacob was staring at the radar with a worried look. "I think we have a problem."

"That's not what I want to hear Jacob."

"Indeed. There appears to be three unidentified spacecrafts heading toward our present location." Teal'c announced from the co-pilot's seat.

"Who are they?" Daniel wondered aloud.

"I have never seen a ship like this. Do you think they are apart of the Aschen Confederation?" This was the first contact that either Jacob or Selmak had ever had with the Aschen.

"Crap! Kinsey must have contacted them." Jack said watching the three large ships stopping just above them.

"Can they detect us?" Daniel asked a little worried.

"It doesn't look like it." Jacob watched as the Al'kesh came into view facing the three Aschen ships. "They are sending a transmission to the Al'kesh."

"Is there anyway we can eavesdrop?"

"I'm afraid not, Jack." Jacob said as the three Aschen ships turned to go back the way they came, followed by the Al'kesh. Jacob slowly moved the cloaked Tel'tak in behind the Al'kesh and followed the group.

"Yeah Jacob, that's a good idea why don't we abandon our original plan and follow them." Jack said a little sarcastically. Although he completely agreed with Jacob's decision.

"I didn't think a fire fight would be a good idea since we are outnumbered."

Jack radioed the Prometheus to inform them the original plan had been scrubbed due to possible enemy ships in the area. He asked Colonel Ronson to stay out of sight as not to alert the Aschen of their presence. He knew they could use the Prometheus long range scanners to keep track of the Tel'tak and the other ships.

After an hour of playing follow the leader, they finally landed on an agriculture planet. The three Aschen ships hovered over the wheat fields, while the Al'kesh landed nearby in an open field. Jacob set the Tel'tak down behind a hill, three clicks from the others. They were hoping the hill and small forest would allow them to uncloak and exit the ship without being detected.

On the Al'kesh, Sam could feel that the ship was descending. The butterflies in her stomach were back. She had finished converting the Aschen computer into a portable DHD with three livable planets in the same solar system with no inhabitants. As she felt the ship landing she let out a long breath to steady her nerves. She walked into the unknown on a weekly basis working at the SGC. However, this was completely different. This time there was no backup, she had no weapons, and she knew that she was going to a potential hostile planet. This was the worst possible situation a soldier could walk into, but she didn't have a choice.

Kinsey walked into her room in a three-piece suite ready for negotiations. "Let's go Colonel. It's show time."

As she walked out of her room for the first time, she could see four Trust agents waiting for them. Kinsey yanked on her arm which made her spin around toward him. She started to react to his aggressive move, but stopped when the four agents pulled out their zats. "You are not going to ruin my rightful place as the President. If I had my choice you would stay here, but for whatever reason they want you here. Hoskins will be your escort for the entire time we are meeting with the Aschen. If you try anything Colonel, I assure you, you will never see Earth again," Kinsey said as the four agents hid their zats under their jackets. Sam was grossly outnumbered and she had to bite down on her lip to prevent an angry retort.

Kinsey, Sam and the four agents exited the Al'kesh. Sam looked around and shaded her eyes against the sun, something which she hadn't seen in nearly two weeks. On any other day she would have enjoyed the fresh air, the warmth from the sun, and the beautiful wheat fields, but today wasn't an ordinary day.

Sam was a little relieved to be on a harvesting planet and not the actual Aschen homeworld. At least here there were less people and several gates unmanned making an escape a little less impossible.

There were two people waiting for them 50 yards away. Sam tried to stay hidden behind the three men walking in front of her.

Ambassador Joe Faxon had mentioned in his note to her that he had requested her presences without Molum and the others knowing about it. She was really hoping he had a plan, because right now she didn't.

She kept sneaking a peak of the two individuals they were walking towards. She was relieved that she didn't recognize either of them. She was also a little disappointed because it also meant that Ambassador Faxon wasn't there.

When the group finally met, Kinsey did his normal political routine and announced he was the Ambassador for Earth. He expressed his joy and enthusiasm about the upcoming Treaty between the two planets. The Aschen of course showed no emotions while welcoming them to the Aschen Confederation.

Sam stopped listening to Kinsey's circus act and began observing her surroundings trying to find a possible escape route for later. There were wheat fields as far as the eye could see to the right. In front of her was an Aschen transporter. To the left was a small hill and lots of trees. She couldn't help but smile and think about Jack … uh the General. 'Yes, the General would have something to say about them,' she thought with a sad smile.

Sam continued to scan the trees with a little homesickness … and then, almost as if she had summoned him from her imagination, there he stood beside one of the trees. 'Jack!' she thought as her heart stopped for a second. Was she imagining him or was he real? He didn't move, he didn't make any hand gestures, he just stood there.

She turned her attention back to the group to see if anyone else noticed him. They were all lost in their greeting and instructions for the Treaty.

She looked back to where he was standing … and he was gone. Her heart sank. Had she imagined him? It would not have been for the first time, except this time she didn't have a head injury. He couldn't be real … could he? No, he thought she was dead and she had a picture of him in her shirt pocket as proof.

Sam was yanked back to the conversation that was going on around her when Kinsey began speaking to her.

"Colonel did you hear me? I said you were to stay with Hoskins the entire time we are on that ship," Kinsey said as he began to step toward the transporter where the two Aschen members were waiting for them. Sam looked up at the three large ships hovering overhead as she joined the others. She looked back briefly just before she was transported up, but she still didn't see him.

Once on board the ship, Sam took in her surroundings. Unlike three years ago, this ship was much larger and there were no outside decks. The only way on or off the ship while in the air was from the transporter.

"Ambassador Kinsey would you or Colonel Carter wish to take a tour of the ship before the Treaty begins?" Mercel, one of the Aschen who had escorted them onto the ship, asked.

"Yes I believe Colonel Carter would like a tour, wouldn't you Colonel?" Kinsey turned to glare at Sam. He didn't want her anywhere near the Aschen Ambassador out of fear that she might ruin the Treaty. He also knew that they wouldn't show her any technology and therefore, she would be bored to tears with such a trivial tour.

"I would love to see this ship, thank you," Sam said. She smiled to Mercel while walking away from Kinsey knowing it would annoy him that she was so willing to go. Hoskins followed a few steps behind her.

"Colonel Carter is it?" Mercel asked once the other group was no longer in sight.

"Yes." Sam responded cautiously.

"I have heard many things about you," Mercel said in a monotone voice that was not revealing whether he had heard good or bad things about her.

Sam began to discretely look for possible exits. She wasn't sure if he had heard things from Molum or Ambassador Joe, and if it mattered. She still wasn't sure how Joe would react toward her, especially since she was the one that had left him behind.

They walked through an open doorway to what appeared to be a vacant room. There was no furniture or any other means of egress. There were two windows and one of them was occupied by another Aschen member staring out at the wheat fields below.

Sam saw the man as she entered and knew he was too tall for Molum. He was obviously an Aschen member by his clothing, and stance. He didn't turn nor speak as they entered the room, although, she was sure that he knew they were there.

"I believe we have a mutual friend, do we not … Sam?" Mercel spoke as he walked behind Sam and Hoskins to give them a better view of the Aschen standing at the window.

Sam's mouth dropped open. 'Could it be …' Sam thought to her self.

The man turned around to face them. 'It was!' He had changed in three years. The man that was once a bit naïve and very excited about all he had learned during the two days at the SGC, was now a man that looked somber and distrustful of others. Sam's stomach turned, because she knew that her actions had turned him into the man that he was today.

Lt. Colonel Samantha Carter and Ambassador Joe Faxon were staring at one another, each too lost in thought to speak.

Hoskins, not liking the scene before him, pulled out his zat. His mistake was that he was staring at the man he didn't know in front of him and not the woman standing beside him.

Sam noticed Hoskins, who was standing slightly behind her to the right, pulling out his zat and focusing on Joe. She knew she had to do something quick. She elbowed him as hard as she could in the stomach, knocking the breath out of him. Hoskins bent forward clutched his stomach momentary surprised by the attack. Sam, with Hoskins still standing behind her, used the back of her fist to hit him in the nose. He was now dazed and holding his broken nose. Sam turned to face him and kneed him with all her strength in the midsection and watched as he fell to the ground groaning. She knew it was just a matter of minutes before he was up for another round, so she shot him once with the zat.

The room was once again silenced. Sam could only hear the bounding of her heart in her ears. She and Joe just stared at one another. Joe seemed a little surprised and then a smile slowly spread across his face. "Remind me not to get on your bad side, Major," he said still using the rank she held when they met.

She could not help but laugh a little at his comment. Relief washed over her. There was still something left of the man she once knew briefly. She sobered quickly before she spoke, "I'm sorry, Ambassador."

"Please call me Joe. I haven't been an Ambassador for a long time."

"Then you can call me Sam."

"Okay Sam, what are you sorry for?" Although they both knew it was a rhetorical question.

"For leaving you behind, I shouldn't have left you here," Sam said shaking her head.

"If I remember correctly I told you to go."

"It doesn't matter. I was in charge of the mission and in charge of bringing you home safely. I failed."

"The bomb obviously didn't go off eliminating the entire human population. I would say you had a successful mission," Joe replied honestly.

"I did try to come back for you …"

"But our government thought that it was too much of a risk for just one man." Sam remained quiet and nodded her head in agreement. "Yeah, that's what I assumed happened. I don't blame you for what happened."

"You should."

"Sam, if I remember correctly you are a very intelligent woman, but even you couldn't have rescued me without the Aschen finding out that their bomb didn't work. Earth would have been an even bigger target. One thing that I have learned from the Aschen is they are very devious and once they set their minds to conquering a civilization they will wait for as long as it takes to see their plan succeed. I agree with our government, they did the right thing and so did you. Although, I'm not sure that I agree with their latest decision."

"The Treaty?"

"Yes and I take it that you don't agree either," Joe said pointing toward Hoskins who was still unconscious.

"You could say that." Sam smiled at him.

"Is the rest of your team here as well?"

"No, I'm afraid they are not," Sam said. Joe didn't miss the hint of disappointment and sad expression before she recovered. "Is there a way off of this ship without going past the conference room where the Treaty is taking place?" Sam was looking down the corridor.

"Yes. It will take longer, but we can take a different path," Joe said not moving a muscle.

"Good. Is there somewhere we can put him where no one will find him or hear him for several hours?" Sam asked walking back into the room.

"What is going on?" Joe was confused as to why Sam appeared to be turning on the men she arrived with.

"I don't have a lot of time to explain and if we are gone too long the others will come looking for me. We need to move now!"

"Others? You mean Molum? He doesn't even know you are here. You are safe." Joe was still refusing to move until he knew exactly what was going on.

"No not Molum, Kinsey and his goons." Sam said moving towards the doorway again to see if anyone was coming.

"Senator Kinsey? Why are you running from him? Surely, he of all people knows that this Treaty is a mistake."

"I'll tell you on the way. Is there somewhere we can put him?" Sam was insistent.

"I will take care of it." Mercel said.

Joe finally moved towards the door and began walking in the opposite direction from which Sam originally came. After several turns Joe broached the subject again, "So again … why are you trying to get away from Senator Kinsey?"

Sam began to explain quietly, "He use to be Vice President Kinsey, but he was fired." Sam notice Joe's shocked look. "Long story, but basically he thinks this Treaty will redeem his stature in Washington."

"So, why not stop this Treaty instead of running away from it?"

"I don't have backup. I wasn't exactly brought here on my own free will."

"What!" Joe put his arm in front of her to stop her. "What do you mean you weren't brought here on your own free will?"

She turned to look at him knowing anything but the truth would prolong their escape. "Kinsey's goons kidnapped me, which one I still don't know. He is involved with a powerful organization without any government backing. I was transported to a ship and then brought here. Kinsey gave me the Aschen computer you sent in order to create a portable DHD to trade during negotiations."

Joe pulled her into another vacant room when they heard approaching footsteps. "It's my fault you're here. I asked for you. I am so sorry. I never imagined they would kidnap you. When I heard someone from Earth was asking about a Treat attempt I thought it was a ploy to rescue me. I was there when the second transmission came in and decided to send a note along with the computer asking for your presence. I thought they were SGC personnel, I never once assumed they were with another organization. I thought if I could ask for you, then you and your team would realize the planet fell within the Aschen Confederation and therefore stay away or at least be cautious."

"It's alright. It's not your fault."

"No, it's not alright. I shouldn't have sent that note. I was too eager to get out of here. I didn't think about the consequences." Joe was angry with himself for putting her in danger.

"Joe, I think we will call it even. You couldn't have known who they were. I don't blame you anymore then you blame me. Now, let's get out of here. I think it's going to take more then just you and me to stop the negotiations."

Joe and Sam turned to make their exit and stopped when a man appeared in the doorway.

They both recognized the man in front of them.

Sam wasn't sure what to think.

The man didn't speak. He just stood there looking directly at her.

She froze. She couldn't move. She couldn't speak.

He started to slowly walk towards her.

Her breath caught in her throat. Her eyes were wide.

He raised his hand to touch her face as he whispered. "Sam?"

Her eyes began to water when his hand touched her cheek. She jumped slightly as the man she thought she had imagined was real. "Jack?" She whispered back.

He pulled her into a fierce hug. "I thought I had lost you Sam." Jack whispered into her ear. Sam wrapped her arms around his neck and closed her eyes. She could feel his heart beating against her own chest and feel his strong arms around her waist. 'He is real!' She thought to herself. Sam allowed a few tears to fall. She couldn't speak. She knew this wasn't the time or place, but she allowed herself to be comforted just a little while longer. She had been alone for two weeks. She had exhausted her mind and body on countless hours of worrying and strategizing. In those two weeks she knew she had to find a way out of her constantly changing circumstances … alone. So she sought comfort and strength in his arms now, thankful she wasn't alone anymore.

Reluctantly they pulled away slightly and Sam spoke, "How did you know …"

"It's a long story," Jack said not ready to explain the events that lead them to her.

"We …" she cleared her throat and tried again, "We have to get out of here. They will come looking for me soon."

Joe was shocked by the interaction he saw. He never once suspected there was anything going on between them. If he was honest he was a little disappointed, but not surprised.Joe led the group toward the doorway.

Jack nodded his agreement with Sam, but kept his hand at the small of her back as they started to walk towards the door. He wasn't ready to break contact just yet. He wanted to assure himself that he had finally found her, and now that he had he wasn't going to lose her again.

She gave a small understanding smile.

Joe was stepping through the door when he was knocked on his backside by a force field covering the door.

"What the …" Jack said. Stepping up to the door he put his hand out slowly until he was shocked by the same force field. He jerked his hand back and immediately started shaking it in order to try and get the feeling back.

Sam was kneeling beside Joe trying to help him sit up.

"Do you know what's going on?" Jack looked at Joe for answers.

Joe just shook his head. He was stilling feeling the effects of the shock he just received.

"I believe I can answer that one Colonel," Molum commented from the other side of the force field.

"Malcolm."

"Molum," he corrected Jack. "You were trespassing on our ship. Therefore, we have attained you to question your motives."

"My motives? That's easy. I'm just here to get Cater and now that I have found her we will just be on our way."

"I am afraid that is not possible Colonel O'Neill. You and Colonel Carter will remain here as our guests until negotiations are completed."

"Actually it's General O'Neill now, and how did you know she was a Colonel?"

"Ambassador Kinsey said that Colonel Carter was taking a tour of our ship. I was intrigued when I discovered she was the same Carter that was present during our previous negotiations."

"Oh and why is that? It wouldn't have anything to do with that bomb you sent through the gate after she went through now would it?"

Another member of the Aschen walked down the corridor getting Molum's attention. "I am afraid that my presence is required for the negotiations. Do not worry Colonel Carter I will inform Ambassador Kinsey that you are enjoying your tour." He turned and walked down the corridor and out of sight.

"Well this didn't go quite like I had planned," Jack said sarcastically looking at the force field. He was just glad that SG-1 and Jacob were there … somewhere.

Despite the situation Sam couldn't help but smile. Oh how she had missed him.

TBC