A/N: The penultimate chapter already! Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to read this story, and especially to those who have sent me reviews. Reviews make my world go 'round! I'm always so happy to see them in my mailbox! The final chapter will probably be up on Monday or Tuesday. But for now, I hope you enjoy this one!
Previously…
As she began to climb shakily to her feet, the world began to spin around her and a roaring sound filled her ears.
Almost there.
And with that thought, Sam blacked out.
Chapter 6
"Jack!"
Jack turned to see Daniel running toward him like he had a hundred Jaffa on his ass. Only they were in the corridors of the SGC, not off-world somewhere, so Jack figured it probably wasn't Jaffa that had him running like that. It was probably...
Carter.
Jack's stomach clenched as Daniel reached his side, out of breath.
"Daniel?"
"I just talked to General Hammond. He got a call from Detective Morrison, the one who --"
"I know who he is," Jack cut him off, rather more sharply that he meant to. "What did he say?"
Daniel gulped in some oxygen and began speaking again in a rush. "That fingerprint that they found -- they got a match. Some guy that got charged with assault and battery a few years back. His name's Marvin Garrett. The police have got an address for him and they've gone to check out his place."
In one swift movement, Jack grabbed Daniel's arm, hauled him across the corridor, and shoved him onto the elevator ahead of him. Jack punched the desired button with more force than was really necessary and turned to face Daniel.
"Tell me you've got the address."
"Well, actually, the police weren't being very forthcoming..."
"Daniel..." Jack growled at him impatiently.
"But General Hammond pulled some strings," Daniel explained, speaking even faster now. "It's a place in the mountains, not too far from here."
"But no word on Carter yet?"
"No, not yet."
Jack glared at the elevator display. Damn it, couldn't this thing go any faster? Jack punched the floor button again, his anxiety shooting skyward. They'd already lost so much time, not knowing where to look for her. Now Jack just had to hope that they weren't too late.
OoOoOoOoOoOoO
Jack was only vaguely aware of Daniel gripping the armrest on the passenger door of his truck as he sped along the winding mountain road. His mind was focused on driving. And on Carter. On getting to Carter.
Any other time it would have been easy to miss the turnoff onto the driveway leading to the house that Jack and Daniel were looking for. Especially at the speed Jack was driving at. But today the spot was boldly marked by a parked police cruiser.
Braking quickly, Jack pulled his truck onto the road's shoulder and shut off the engine. In an instant, he was out of the vehicle and heading for the driveway, Daniel close behind. A police officer met them at the foot of the drive and stood, blocking their path.
"I'm sorry, gentlemen, you can't go any further."
Jack fished out his i.d. "Colonel Jack O'Neill, U.S. Air Force."
The officer glanced at Jack's identification. "I still can't let you go any further, sir."
What little patience Jack had left was ready to crack. "The missing woman -- Major Samantha Carter -- happens to be my second in command and my friend. I want to know what's going on."
"I'm sorry, sir." The officer stood firm.
It was probably a very good thing that Daniel stepped in then, because Jack wasn't sure what he would have done next. He only knew that it likely would have got him in trouble with General Hammond and a few other people as well.
"Is Detective Morrison around?" Daniel asked.
"He's up at the house," the officer replied, still keeping his eyes on Jack. "I can see if he's able to come talk to you."
"Thank you," Daniel said quickly. "We'd appreciate that."
Still watching Jack out of the corner of his eye, the officer retreated a few paces, speaking into his radio in low tones. After a moment, he turned back to Jack and Daniel.
"Detective Morrison will be along in a few minutes," he informed them.
"Thank you," Daniel replied.
Jack just started pacing back and forth at the end of the driveway, his anxiety and tension making him unable to stay still any longer. The minutes seemed more like hours to Jack, but eventually an unmarked police car came slowly down the bumpy drive and pulled to a stop. Jack halted his pacing and Daniel came over and joined him at his side as they watched Detective Morrison climb out of the vehicle. The Detective nodded at the other officer and then turned his attention to Jack and Daniel.
"Colonel O'Neill, Dr. Jackson," he greeted. "Sorry to keep you waiting."
"What's going on up there, Detective?" Jack got quickly to the point. "Have you found Major Carter?"
"She's not inside the house," Detective Morrison replied, and Jack felt his heart sink. "But we believe she was until recently."
"What do you mean?" Daniel asked.
"At this point, we're not exactly sure what may have happened. It's possible that Major Carter escaped, or Garrett may have moved her to another location."
"But she was here?" Daniel tried to clarify. "You've got the right place, the right guy?"
"Oh, yeah," the detective answered. "She was definitely here. Garrett only has one vehicle registered in his name and it's still parked up by the house."
Jack followed his line of thought. "So you think he and Major Carter could still be nearby."
Morrison nodded. "It's very possible. We're just about to start a search of the surrounding area. If he's got Major Carter out in the woods... well, time is of the essence."
Jack quickly pushed away the thoughts that came with the detective's words. They couldn't be too late. He couldn't even consider the possibility. "The Air Force can help with the search," he managed to say.
Detective Morrison was about to respond when a rustle of bushes caught the attention of everyone present. A short way down the highway, a man emerged from the forest. He stopped short at the sight of the other men, looking startled, then he turned abruptly and disappeared back into the woods at a run.
"Shit! That's him!" the detective exclaimed, grabbing his radio.
Jack didn't even pause to think. He took off into the forest after Garrett, crashing through the undergrowth, his hand reaching under his jacket for his gun. He heard Detective Morrison shouting after him, but he plunged ahead, ignoring him.
Jack raced over the uneven terrain, adrenaline pumping through his body and propelling him forward. He was steadily gaining on his quarry, who was no match for an Air Force colonel highly practiced at covering all sorts of terrain at high speed. As Garrett started down an incline, Jack was right on his tail.
Closer...
Closer...
He was almost within reach...
Now!
Jack leapt through the air and grabbed Garrett in a full out tackle. They both went hurtling to the forest floor, tumbling down the hill and crashing through the undergrowth as they went. Reaching level ground, Jack used his momentum to roll up onto his knees, aiming his gun at Garrett as he did so. But Garrett also had a gun out now, and it was pointed right at Jack.
Spitting out a mouthful of dirt and dried leaves, Garrett wiped his sleeve across his face. Keeping their weapons trained on each other,Jack and Garrett both climbed to their feet. Jack's eyes were locked on the man before him, hatred churning in his chest.
"Where is she?" Jack's voice came out hard and dangerous. Dark, cold fury was practically emanating from his tense body.
"If you shoot me, you'll never find out." Garrett's voice was calm, but his breathing was rapid and shallow, and small beads of perspiration shone on his forehead.
Jack narrowed his eyes. "Only if I shoot to kill."
Garrett swallowed nervously as that statement sunk in, and Jack felt a grim sense of satisfaction at the man's reaction. The sound of crashing bushes could be heard in the distance, signaling the approach of others, but still the two men kept their eyes fixed on each other.
"I can start with a kneecap or two." Jack took a step forward. "Then maybe I'll move on to your fingers."
The gun in Garrett's hand was beginning to waver slightly. Jack took another step toward him. Part of him was itching to get his hands on this man, to do everything he was threatening and worse. But with Garrett holding a gun as well, Jack knew he had to take this one step at a time.
He was about to take another step toward Garrett when there was a sudden rustle of bushes off to his right.
"Jack!"
Daniel.
Garrett spun around in the direction of Daniel's voice and as Jack saw his finger begin to squeeze the trigger of his gun, he reacted instantly.
Crack!
Both guns exploded simultaneously. Arriving behind Daniel right at that moment, Detective Morrison tackled him to the ground just as Garrett's bullet whizzed over their heads. At the same time, Jack's bullet ripped into Garrett's shoulder, throwing him backward. But even as he hit the ground, Garrett was aiming his gun again. At Jack.
Before Jack or Garrett could fire their weapons again, another bullet slammed into Garrett's chest, sending him back to the forest floor, his gun slipping from his now limp grasp. Jack looked to his right. Daniel was still on the ground, and Detective Morrison was just lowering his freshly fired weapon. He and Jack exchanged a look and then both approached Garrett, quickly but cautiously.
Detective Morrison took possession of Garrett's gun and began searching him for other weapons while Jack checked for a pulse. Just as Jack placed his fingers on the man's neck, Garrett opened his eyes. Jack felt a surge of hot anger and hatred rushed through him. Grabbing Garrett's collar, he shook him roughly.
"Where's Major Carter?"
Although he was fading quickly, Garrett managed to focus his eyes on Jack. "Gone," he whispered.
Jack was about to shake him again, harder, when Detective Morrison put out a hand to stop him. "Colonel!"
Garrett coughed and a line of blood trickled out of the corner of his mouth and down his chin. Then, with a sigh, his last breath left his body and his eyes closed. Jack released his hold on Garrett's collar, letting the lifeless body slump back onto the forest floor.
Jack climbed to his feet as several other police officers arrived on the scene. He backed away from the body, letting the police go about their business. He didn't have another thought to spare for Garrett. The only thing that mattered now was finding Carter.
"Jack?"
Daniel was beside him now and Jack took in the sight of him properly now for the first time since he had arrived on the scene. "You all right?" he asked the archeologist.
"Fine," Daniel replied. "Did he say where Sam is?"
"No." Holstering his gun, Jack was already setting off through the forest, Daniel rushing to keep up with him.
"So what now?"
"We find her ourselves." And that really was the only thought on Jack's mind. Garrett, the police, and everything else faded into the background as he became completely focused on that one objective -- finding Carter.
He started by heading due west, aiming for where he assumed Garrett's house must be, and all the while keeping his eyes peeled for any sign of his 2IC. He and Daniel emerged from the trees a few minutes later to find themselves standing at the edge of a large clearing, a small and rather decrepit two-story house set in the middle of the open area. The dirt driveway led off through the trees to the north. There were police and forensic personnel over by the house, but Jack barely noticed them.
For a moment, he just stood staring at the house, knowing that Carter had been a prisoner there and both wanting and not wanting to know what Garrett had done to her. He felt his hands clench into fists at his sides. The sick bastard had got off too easy, dying as quickly as he had. Way too easy.
Tearing his gaze away from Garrett's house, Jack began searching the tree line. He had to hope that Garrett had been out in the woods looking for Carter. Looking for her because she'd escaped. He couldn't let himself even consider any other possibilities. Because the other possibilities were too grim. They were unacceptable.
With Daniel still at his side, Jack switched himself into full search mode. His senses sharpened, taking in every detail, processing the sensory data. The tang of rotting leaves. The hinting scent of pine needles. The play of light and shadows. The undisturbed litter of twigs and leaves amidst the undergrowth.
She hadn't been here.
Jack moved on, searching continuously, Daniel following silently in his wake.
Nothing.
Nothing.
Nothing.
Something.
Jack stopped and pushed aside some foliage for a closer look. Boot prints. Someone had entered the woods here. But not Carter. The prints were too big to be hers. Maybe Garrett's, or a police officer's, but it really didn't matter. They weren't Carter's.
Jack moved on. Searching, searching.
He stopped again.
A footprint.
A single, partial footprint. Not a boot print. This depression was made by a bare foot. And judging by the size, it could very well have been made by Carter. Jack touched the edge of the impression delicately with one finger.
Barefoot. That would make sense. If Garrett had grabbed her from her bed in the middle of the night, she would have been barefoot.
Jack looked at Daniel. "She's out here."
Daniel peered down at the footprint. "Did she leave a trail?"
"Let's find out."
Jack pushed his way through the undergrowth, moving further into the forest. His senses were still sharp, still going over every detail in the hope of finding something more to lead him to Carter.
"We could sure use T's help right about now," he commented, thinking about the Jaffa's superior tracking skills.
"I could call the base, get him up here," Daniel suggested as he followed Jack through the trees.
Jack's eyes continued to scan the forest floor. "Yeah, maybe that would be a
good --" He cut himself off and abruptly stopped walking, his eyes fixed on something on the ground a short distance away. New hope quickened his pulse.
"What?" Daniel asked, obviously not seeing what Jack was seeing.
Jack pushed his way through a large clump of ferns and crouched down. He heard Daniel come up to stand behind him.
"Take a look at this." Jack pointed to the ground in front of him where two sticks lay on the dirt, forming a point. At the apex was a round stone.
Daniel raised his eyebrows. "Earth."
Jack straightened up so he was standing next to Daniel. "Yep." His eyes were already traveling in the direction indicated by the symbol's apex. He felt a hint of a smile tug at the corners of his mouth. "Come on."
He set off through the trees, Daniel following close behind. A few minutes later, they came across another stick and stone Earth symbol. Then another. And with each one they found, Jack felt his blood pump harder, felt his hope and anticipation growing.
At some point, they started calling out for her. Their shouts of "Carter!" and "Sam!" ringing out through the forest. Jack was moving quickly, but not too quickly. He didn't want to miss any of her signs. He didn't want to lose her trail. Her trail or precious time.
They clambered up a small rise. And that's when Jack saw it. A flash of pale blue amidst the greens and browns of the forest. Swatting branches and bushes out of his way, Jack hurried forward. And as he pushed one last bush aside, there she was.
The pale blue Jack had seen was her tank top. A tank top and flannel pajama pants. That was all she was wearing. She was lying flat out on her front, one cheek pressed to the ground, eyes closed. And she wasn't moving.
His heart thumping like crazy now, Jack dropped to his knees at her side.
"Carter?" He put a hand to her shoulder and felt relief soar through him as she moved under his touch, just slightly.
Thank God.
She was alive.
And she was trying to turn over. Carefully, Jack helped to ease her over onto her back, shouting to Daniel over his shoulder as he did so. "Daniel, get some help down here!"
He heard Daniel crashing off through the bushes as Sam looked up at him, her eyes clouded with confusion.
"Sir?" Her lips formed the word, but no real sound emerged. But it was enough for Jack.
"Yeah, it's me," he assured her. He shrugged out of his jacket and spread it over her. "You're gonna be fine, Carter. Just hang in there."
She struggled into a sitting position, one hand holding Jack's jacket to keep it from sliding down around her waist.
"Easy there." Jack rested a hand on her shoulder to keep her from moving any further.
She remained where she was, but she seemed tense. "The man..."
There still wasn't much sound behind her voice, but Jack was able to make out what she was saying. And he understood.
"He's dead, Sam."
Her eyes met his for a moment and Jack wasn't sure what he was seeing in them. Pain? Relief? Probably both. He gave her shoulder what he hoped was a reassuring squeeze.
"It's over."
Her eyes closed, and this time her relief was unmistakable. And as Jack gave her shoulder another squeeze, he repeated his words silently to himself.
It's over.
TBC…