Once again, thanks for all your reviews! Oh and don't hold me to the legal code of Colorado - I made it up!

Warnings: Language

...and now on with the story!

Tangled Web 12 Step 1 Charges

"I can handle it myself, Sir."

Jack stopped and looked at her intently. His eyes hidden behind his glasses, Sam focused on his lips as he spoke. "I'm sure you can, Carter, but it may be difficult."

"I'm sure it will be since I don't have any evidence!" Jack calmly reached up to his face and pulled away his glasses; staring at her for a long moment then letting his eyes drift down to her shoulder he raised his eyebrows and cocked his head slightly to one side.

"Carter, you've got the physical evidence and I'm sure you can prove that Shanahan has been there regularly. Hell, they can take fingerprints if nothing else. I'm sure they'll find his are all over your place!"

She held his gaze then quietly answered. "As are yours, Sir. And Teal'c and Daniel's. What does that prove? And there's the fact that the three of you are at my house as often as Pete...sometimes all night!"

"But not in your bedroom, Carter." Jack's voice was as cold as ice and Sam felt herself shiver at the look in his eyes. She glared at him for a moment and then looked away.

"No."

"Look, Carter, if you want…we can just leave." She turned surprised eyes on Jack as he threw his hands into the air in mock surrender; his voice rising with anger as he spoke each word. "We can just pretend nothing happened and let the son-of-a-bitch walk away if that's what you want! You're strong and smart… it shouldn't be too hard to keep looking over your shoulder for the rest of your life! Hell, you could make a game of it, Carter, hiding in the shadows by day and never going out at night again! That wouldn't be too hard, would it, Carter?"

"O'Neill!" Teal'c laid his huge hand on Jack's shoulder, not restraining him, just a touch and Jack met his eyes with an angry glare and shrugged his hand away.

"I'm waiting, Colonel! It's your decision!"

Sam's anger was rising within her as she stared into Jack's eyes. "He's right, Teal'c. Damn you, Sir, you're right!"

Jack placed his glasses back on his face and without a word, started across the parking lot to the entrance of the building. Sam followed, her head high and her anger still on the brink of exploding, with Teal'c just a step behind.

Neither of them could see Jack's face. It was a strange mixture of happiness, anger and regret. He was slightly pleased that he was able to awaken her anger so easily, but wished it hadn't been necessary. She was going to need all of her anger to get through this and so…he'd baited her. He might pay dearly for it later but right now he was certain of one thing; nothing was more impressive than a "pissed off Carter," and she was certainly impressive now.

A young officer directed them through a maze of hallways and to a set of double doors. "Detective Brennan is inside, Sir. He'll be able to help you."

"Thank you, Officer." The officer returned to his post and Jack turned to look at his companions. "Ready, Carter?"

"Ready, Sir." Jack could still see the fire in her eyes as he pushed open the door and followed her through.

Across the room, the three detectives looked up from their work and were a bit surprised at the trio now standing just inside the door. They were an impressive lot. A tall, obviously self-confident Air Force Colonel, a tall menacing "body guard" type that looked as if he could break anyone in half without even trying and a highly decorated, imposing General.

"Well, what do you suppose this is about?" David Turner asked quietly to no one in particular, his eyes following as they crossed the room towards him.

"Looks like we're being invaded by the Air Force, Dave."

"Yeah, by a damn General!"

There was a polite round of introductions and Jack briefly told the officers why they were there. Then he allowed the detectives to take over, keeping a watchful eye on Carter. They went through the formalities briefly and then Sam told her story. Jack continued to watch her closely; glad that he was able to hide behind his military persona as she recounted the beating she had taken from Pete. He still found it difficult to smother his rage but he had no intent of losing control here.

Suddenly the room was silent and he turned his eyes once again to Sam. Un-shed tears were sparkling in her darkened eyes and her gaze was locked on the officers in front of her.

"Uh, Colonel, you should understand that if you file a formal complaint, you can not change it later. In cases like this the state takes your place in prosecuting the defendant and only the court can make changes."

"Your point, Detective?" Jack's voice was cold and unemotional, his tone one of absurdity.

"I…I'm just trying to explain, General, that once the complaint is filed…it can't be taken back. Ever." There was total silence as they stared at each other across the desk. "Please understand that sometimes couples have 'disagreements' and then later reconcile and decide that they've overreacted…that they want to stay together…for whatever reason and try to cancel the complaint. In Colorado, that isn't an option."

Sam didn't turn or look away from the man's eyes even for a second.

"Carter?"

"I understand, Detective." Her voice was calm and sure.

"So you know where this guy is now?"

"Yes, in Denver. He lives there."

"Do you know where he works, Colonel?"

Sam chanced a quick look at Jack and he nodded his head for her to answer. "He's a police officer. A detective, actually." The man stopped writing, his hand frozen suddenly as she spoke. The female detective who had been quiet during most of the interview leaned in and spoke directly to Sam.

"If he's guilty, Colonel, it will just make him easier to find. Trust me." Sam nodded and dropped her gaze to her hands, which were folded in her lap and absolutely still. "We take physical abuse very seriously here."

"Do you have any witnesses, Colonel?"

"Of him hitting me?" The detective shook her head 'yes.' "No." Another momentary marked silence followed and Jack turned cold eyes on all of them.

"She has evidence…she still has severe bruising, and the CMO at the base has photos and will testify to the severity of her injuries."

"Yes of course. When did this happen?"

"Night before last."

"Well, I'm sorry to do this Colonel, but we will need to take our own pictures and document your injuries for our records."

Sam was still staring at her hands and did not respond. Jack was watching her and recognized the signs of her retreating into the behavior she had used when refusing to answer his questions, as well as mental exhaustion settling over her.

"If you could do that as quickly as possible. The Colonel's doctor has ordered her to rest as much as possible today."

"Yes, of course, General."

"Oh…and Detective," the woman turned questioning eyes on Jack as he stood to his full height, a dominating force in full dress uniform complete with battle ribbons and stars, his eyes holding an unspoken threat. "I expect Colonel Carter to be treated with all the respect due her office and rank. She is a highly valued member of my team."

"Yes, of course, General O'Neill. If you'll come with me, Colonel."

Sam had risen to her feet in response to Jack's standing. They exchanged a quick look, Jack trying to reassure her without giving away his emotions. He held her gaze until he saw the momentary storm disappearing from her eyes, then he nodded his head slightly and Sam turned to follow the Detective out of the room.

Jack and Teal'c were led to a nearby room where they would wait for Carter. And they did so patiently…for almost an hour.

"I think they've had enough time, T. Don't you?"

"That would be my assessment also, O'Neill."

"Ok. Let's go get Carter." Jack rose from his chair and started back through the doors to the detective's area.

"Uh, excuse me, General! You can't go back there, Sir."

Jack stopped and turned a menacing glare on the officer attempting to stop him. "And why not, officer?"

"It's not permitted…Sir."

"Officer, I'm going through those doors to retrieve the Colonel."

The officer moved his hand to his weapon holstered on his right side and Jack took note of the movement. He allowed his anger to show on his face as he took one step towards the man. He gave a passing glance at Teal'c who had tilted his head to one side and raised his eyebrow in a questioning manner.

"There's no need to get nervous, officer and you really shouldn't make my friend or me nervous, so…either you produce Colonel Carter immediately or you take me to where she is being held."

The young officer stood absolutely still for a moment trying to assess the exact level of danger or intimidation he was facing. "Just let me call back there, Sir. I'm sure I can find out what's going on."

The man turned his back on Jack and Teal'c to return to his desk and as he did so, Jack signaled Teal'c to move closer to the door. When the officer looked up again, they were gone.

Jack strode across the room and straight to the desk of Detective Johnson. "Where is Colonel Carter?"

"General! They didn't tell me you were coming in." The man had almost jumped up from his desk in surprise.

"Where is she, Detective?"

"They should be just about finished…."

"Detective, I'm not normally a patient person so…if you will just take me to Colonel Carter? Or shall my friend and I begin our own search?" Jack's eyes were seething with the anger brewing within him and the man across from Jack was involuntarily backing away from his intimidation. "Now, Detective!"

The man jumped slightly, but recovered enough to move around the desk. "Right this way, General, Sir."

They followed Johnson down a long gray hallway, other occupants stepping aside to allow them passage, and stopped at the last door. Johnson opened the door and stepped through into another room, which was empty except for a couple of chairs, a desk and another door. He moved quickly across the small space and knocked soundly on the door. The voice of the female detective called out sharply. "Yes?"

"Uh, Raynard, it's Johnson, General O'Neill is demanding to see the Colonel. May we come in?"

The door opened swiftly and Detective Raynard was greeted by the intimating presence of Jack O'Neill. "Come in, General. The Colonel is just finishing up and will be out shortly."

Jack stood looking at yet another door and had reached his limit, without further hesitation he started towards it. Johnson reached out an arm to stop him and was met with one of Teal'c's sizable arms across his chest. Johnson looked up in surprise at the now smiling Jaffa. "Please, do not touch General O'Neill."

"Un, no…of course not."

Jack opened the door swiftly. "Carter?"

"I'm here, Sir."

"Everything all right?"

"Yes, Sir. Fine. I'll be right out." Jack stepped into the room and closed the door behind him as Carter walked from behind the screen in the corner of the room. She looked shaken and she'd been crying.

"Carter? What the hell…?"

"It's all right. It's just a bit…" Her voice trailed away as she looked up at him. "Can we just go?" She started to walk towards him and swayed slightly. Jack quickly closed the distance between them and caught her, steadying her with his grasp.

"I thought you were all right."

"I am. It's just the concussion, I guess. I'm okay, let's just get out of here, please, Sir?" She pulled away from him and stood alone, demonstrating her stability. Jack took the hint and stepped back to the door, opening it for her to pass through.

Teal'c stood just outside the door and Carter almost ran into him before he stood back to let her pass. Jack noticed the detectives had taken up a neutral position on the opposite side of the room and gave a quick glance to Teal'c to make sure all was under control.

"Colonel?" Sam stopped and turned to look at Detective Raynard. "We'll get him, Colonel. Don't worry." Sam didn't answer; she just turned to look at Jack.

"Thank you, Detective, see that you do. If you need anything else, give me a call. I'll be able to locate Colonel Carter for you."

"We'll do that. Let me show you out."

"Not necessary." Jack replied shortly then placed one hand lightly against Sam's back and she moved forward at his touch.

Raynard turned to look at Johnson. "There's a man used to getting his own way."

"Yeah, I'd say so."

They were out of the building within a few minutes and headed for Jack's truck. "Teal'c?" Jack called out, tossing his keys across the small space to the big man. "You drive."

Teal'c climbed behind the wheel and as he pulled out of the parking lot, Jack's arm slid around Sam's shoulders, pulling her close. She leaned into his shoulder and closed her eyes.

"You really ok, Sam?" He leaned towards her and spoke softly. She shook her head, indicating that she was. "Do you need to see Doc?"

"No, I'm fine, Sir. I just want to go home."

"Ok. Let's go home, Teal'c."