Chapter 9: Indictment

A Year and a Half Later

Daniel wrapped the framed photo of SG-1 in bubble wrap before placing it carefully in the cardboard box. He then picked up another photo. It was a picture of Sam and Jack standing in each other's arms, looking at each other like they were the only two people in the world. It had been taken years ago, when they were still together.

Jack came up behind him as he stared at the picture. "Nice picture, huh?"

"I didn't think you kept any after your breakup."

"I kept them…just put them away in a closet."

Jack's apartment in Washington was filled with sealed packing boxes. The walls were bare, the shelves empty. Only boxes and furniture remained as evidence that someone actually had lived there.

Jack bent down and handed Daniel a cold bottle of water. "Let's take a break, Daniel. The news will be on in a minute."

The two men sat down in front of the TV, anxious to hear the latest news on the greatest scandal to hit Washington in years.

As ABS anchorman Jeremy Davis came on the screen, both sat back and sipped their bottles of water in anticipation.

"Good afternoon. In breaking news today, a Federal Grand Jury has handed down indictments against several key government officials and business leaders. The special Grand Jury was formed eighteen months ago after evidence against these individuals was handed over to the FBI and the Department of Justice. After months of investigation, it has been discovered that these men and women were allegedly involved in an organization known only as the Trust."

"The Trust was secret organization that for several years was involved in treasonous activities, most involving crimes against the Stargate Program and those individuals involved in the program. The organization's alleged crimes include theft of government property, blackmail, and attempted murder."

The screen faded to a video clip that showed a man with gray hair roughly pushing through a crowd of reporters and quickly getting into an awaiting limo. As the scene continued to unfold, Jeremy Davis explained who the man was and why he was fleeing from the television cameras.

"The most notable name on the list of indictments is Senator James Fisher, a man who just months ago announced his intention of running in the upcoming presidential election. Senator Fisher is also accused of being involved in an attempt to blackmail and kill Samantha Carter-Colson, the former Air Force officer and Stargate expert who died in a tragic auto accident last year. Fisher was forced to drop out of the election after these allegations became public knowledge."

The next video clip showed a very content Alec Colson coming out of a courthouse with Carly Green at his side.

Davis continued to explain the images flashing on the screen, "It was Carter-Colson's husband, Alec Colson, who provided the key testimony before the Grand Jury that was central to the prosecution's case."

Finally the camera returned to the studio where the anchorman made his final statements about the case. "If convicted, the men and women accused will receive a minimum of life in prison. More on this momentous event tonight on ABS Nightly News. Now back to our regularly scheduled program."

Daniel turned down the volume on the TV as the station cut back to the afternoon soaps. He turned to Jack, smiling triumphantly.

"I'm glad something good came out of all this. I'm just sorry that Sam didn't live to see those bastards go down."

Jack smiled back, an almost unnoticeable twinkle in his brown eyes. "I'm sure she's watching from somewhere, Daniel… and she's smiling."

Daniel gave Jack congratulatory pat on the back. "You know…something else good came out of this. You and Alec Colson finally made amends. You put aside your differences and worked together to right this wrong. Sam would be very pleased…and proud."

Jack shrugged, "Well…Colson and Sam did most of the work. I just made sure the evidence that they collected got to the right people. But you're right…Colson turned out to be not such a bad guy after all."

The two men got up and started once again putting various items into cardboard boxes. As he was placing several books in a box, Daniel inquired, "So…have you decided where you're going now that you've retired?"

"I'm gonna head up to my cabin for the time being. Then…we'll see. I've been thinking about getting a place on the coast."

Daniel smirked slightly. "I still can't imagine you retired. I have a feeling you are going to be bored within a month and begging for any job you can get with the Stargate Program." Daniel paused thoughtfully before offering, "You know, you could always come with me to Atlantis…"

Jack shook his head adamantly, making his opinion on that subject abundantly clear. "Not this time, Daniel. For the first time in…oh…sixteen or so years I have other priorities that are more important than the Stargate. It's time to let other people take care of the universe. I need to take care of some things here on Earth for a change."

Daniel sighed in disappointment, not wanting to leave his best friend alone on Earth with nothing to do but fish for the rest of his life. "Well…I still plan on coming to visit you…"

"I would be disappointed if you didn't," Jack responded as he wrapped another framed picture in bubble wrap and placed it in a box. "Next time, I'll take you fishing."

Daniel merely laughed, hinting that he really had better things to do on his vacation than go fishing at Jack's pond.

Jack immediately took up the challenge in Daniel's reaction and suggested, "In fact…why wait until next time. You wouldn't want to come up to the cabin for the weekend, would you? Cassie's going to be there and she'd love to see you before you head back to Pegasus." Jack knew Daniel could not refuse the opportunity to spend some time with Cassie, even if it meant spending three days fishing in the middle of nowhere.

So it was no surprise when Daniel answered, "Actually…I'd love to."

TBC