Disclaimer: Hi, remember me? I wish I owned them, but I only own my own characters—you know, the ones I made up. If you want to use them, ask first. I'll probably tell you yes, but ask anyway. That's nicer.
AN: Here's the next installment of the series. I hope you enjoy!
Chapter 4:
"I can't believe they left without even saying anything to us, after everything that happened," Daniel said, frowning at Sam as they waited for the elevator.
"Daniel, they did have a convention to go to. It's not like they actually left to go home or something. Their bags were supposedly packed in his truck so they could leave right away."
"I know, but I thought maybe they'd want to, you know, talk to us some before they left. They don't have to be there until tomorrow, anyway."
"Jack? Talk about something?" she asked incredulously.
"Okay," Daniel nodded in agreement, "okay, so maybe he wouldn't talk much, Sam. But I didn't think he'd just leave in such a hurry. Anyway, Al likes to talk. She really talks. More than I do. And I thought maybe they'd want a little company, after all they'd been through." Daniel knew his friends well enough not to expect a 'thank you' from Jack, but he also knew Jack was a master at gestures of friendship, actions that made up for the words he couldn't say. This sudden disappearing act just didn't seem like Jack. Emerging onto the parking lot, they started across the pavement.
"Hey, isn't that Jack's truck?" Sam asked, pointing.
"Or one just like it." Daniel walked over and peered into the window. "Now this is odd. It's definitely Jack's truck. Who else would have hockey gear in the back seat? And that looks like his jacket. And there's Al's bag. See? Hieroglyphics." Daniel looked around uneasily. He turned to Sam and said, "Maybe someone else gave them a ride?"
"Who?" Sam asked incredulously, "We're both here, and Teal'c doesn't have a car. Anyway, who else was going to the convention? And who else would he take a ride from?"
"Maybe the General arranged for a car. They were both pretty tired."
"But he wouldn't have gone without his jacket, not on a night as chilly as this, and Al's bag goes with her anywhere. She has to wear her makeup, according to her journal," Sam added, a worried look crossing her features.
Daniel looked at her, "I think we ought to check with the General." They hurried back inside.
At the second level security desk, the sergeant was surprised to see them back so quickly. "Ma'am, Sir, is there a problem?" he asked, suspicious of their quick return, "Did you forget something?"
"Sort of," Daniel said, then turned to the man. "Ah, Sergeant, have you been on duty all afternoon?"
"Yes, Sir."
"Have Colonels O'Neill left yet?" Sam asked.
"Yes, Ma'am. About an hour ago."
"Well, that answers that question. No need to go back inside if they've left," Daniel said, turning to go back to the parking lot.
The security man thought a moment, then piped up. "Ah, Ma'am, Sir, there was something strange though." The pair turned quickly to the sergeant. "They left with ah..." the SF checked his clipboard for the name, "a Colonel Maybourne."
"Maybourne?" Daniel asked incredulously.
"Did they go willingly?" There was worry in Carter's eyes.
The guard shook his head. "I'm not sure, Ma'am, it just seemed a little odd. The Colonels were leaving, bumped into them at the elevator, they talked and then left. Ma'am, Colonel O'Neill did look a little, umm, wobbly when they left."
"Wobbly?"
"Yeah, like he was leaning on one of the men with Colonel Maybourne." Sam and Daniel were busily signing back in.
"Thank you, Sergeant," she told him, as they dashed for the elevator and headed back down to General Hammond's office.
Yet another Author's Note: Now, if you'd just hit the nice little button on the bottom left and leave me a review, that would be nice. Oh, and like it says in my profile, I'm looking for a beta. Thanks!
