Sam and Daniel walked briskly to the room where Replicarter was repositioned for more 'interrogations' from the real Sam. Daniel would supervise, because he had dealt with this already. When they walked in, Teal'c was standing at the door with the ancient weapon that Jack designed before 'waking up.' Sam stopped before entering any further, "What is that Teal'c?"
"This is the weapon that General O'Neill created with the ancient knowledge capable of neutralizing the replicators, Samantha Carter."
"Oh, cool. Um, I'd like to take a look at that later, but there is no need to stand guard; we'll be okay."
"I'm afraid I am under the general's orders; I cannot stand down."
"Alright Teal'c, but I'm just letting you know we won't be needing it here."
"Then I will stand here in case you do."
"Thanks Teal'c."
He nodded in acknowledgement. Sam proceeded into the room where Daniel had already prepared the mike. "Daniel, we won't be needing that. I'm just asking questions to confirm or eradicate my assumptions, I'm not looking for anything to convict anyone of any wrong-doing." Sam sat down across the table from Replicarter. "How are you feeling?"
"As fine as I'll ever be after being replicated and imprisoned in a place where I know id home as much as you do."
"Sorry, believe it or not, I kinda know how you feel. Back a long time ago, we were copied into androids on P3X 989."
"I remember."
"Ok, I just wanted to establish common ground. I hope that you can help us with what Fifth is planning. Now, when he was extracting information from my mind, our thoughts mixed a little. If you confirm on some of my assumptions, SGC may be saved."
"You're right about everything you're assuming. He is going to send something through the gate, although I may have 'dreamed' what happened, I know, and I'm sorry, but you can't stop him; I won't let you."
"What?" Sam and Daniel exclaim simultaneously.
"Why are you so surprised? He may have created two identical Sams, but I store more of your emotions that you hide; it's one of my stronger human traits. Now, I won't tell anyone how you feel about certain someones on this base, but I know what Fifth is planning is for your own good."
"How can any of what he plans be good? He tried to trap me in one of his fabrications and threaten to kill my friends."
"He cares for you and now that he knows that your heart belongs some place else, he plans on making you happy, one way or another."
"Why?" Sam still couldn't understand how little pieces of metal could hold so many emotions. It's like personification to the max. But working in a field like this, anything can be expected.
"Because, he has taken your advice about compassion. Now that he understands how and what you feel, he wants to return the favor with a piece of advice. It will not be easy to take this advice, he knows, and that is why he's devising a plan that will help. I think this will do you good Samantha. Coming from someone who knows you best, you've wanted this for a long: to find a place where you can love without regulations and to escape reality. Fifth's experiment will do you good." And with that, she disintegrated into a million pieces. Nobody knew they could even do that.
Sam was the first to speak, "Whatever she meant by all that doesn't sound like I have a choice. Without her, we have no way of knowing what or when it will happen. I guess they have a self-destruct sequence. Like Cassie's bomb and the stargate, my presence may have triggered memory in Replicarter that let her realize she was a replicator and that her job was to relay information to me. Like a zatarc." Sam paused and looked at Daniel.
Meanwhile, Daniel was wondering if what Replicarter meant by 'love without regulations' was referring to Sam and Jack. "Sam, no offense, but if what she's talking about is what I'm assuming, then Fifth may be right on track."
Sam gave him an incredulous look, but Daniel interjected, "Don't give me that look. I know it's true." He smirked as Sam's face turned a slight red. "I'm glad that wasn't on tape, but that doesn't mean anything." Sam walked out of the room while Teal'c gave her a raised eyebrow. Teal'c proceeded to walk with Daniel to his lab.
"I could not help but listen, is it true what Fifth is planning is beneficial towards Colonel Carter? Do you believe so?"
"I don't know yet, but if I know Fifth, we'd better be prepared for the worse and hope for the best. Sam didn't tell me the details, but it had something to do with her and Jack."
"Are they in danger?"
"No, but coming from Replicarter, Fifth might not be such a bad replicator after all."
"What do you mean by this Daniel Jackson?"
"Well, haven't you noticed Sam and Jack always dancing around the lines of respect and love?"
"No, I have not witnessed Colonel Carter and O'Neill dancing and does not friendship require both respect and love?"
"No, Teal'c. Well, yes, but not in the sense they think of it. What I'm saying is, don't you think there's more to their relationship than friendship?"
"Indeed I have. I understand now. You are assuming that Fifth's experiment may bring them together rather than jeopardize the SGC."
"Well, hopefully it will be that simple, but replicators are so unpredictable."
"Indeed."
Sam reported to General O'Neill's office as requested after the 'inquiry.'
"So, what have you to report Carter?"
"Well, it's safe to say we can't stop Fifth from whatever he plans, and that all I've assumed is correct."
"And what have you assumed Colonel?"
"Well, he's going to send a pathogen from P3X-561, it will cause all members of SGC present to go into a trance until certain events trigger their individual jobs, kind of like a zatarc, but hopefully not as harmful to the host. He wasn't specific, but one thing's for sure, I'm immune and it's all a ploy to get you and me together, sir."
"What, that's insane. Where would he get such an idea from?" Jack said eyeing Sam who started blushing. He had always had feelings for her and now his assumptions about her reciprocating those same feelings would be confirmed.
"Well sir, I guess subconsciously…he invaded my mind…"
"It's alright Sam." He said as he reached for her hand and squeezed it for assurance. "We'll get through this together."
"I think that's Fifth's plan, sir." she chuckled a little.
"Well then, mission accomplished. Do you hear that Fifth, it's done, you can stop now. Why don't you just leave us alone, hell he knows how you feel, and you know how I feel, why is he still planning the stupid experiment? The results are in, I like Carter and Carter likes me."
Sam blushed more with her hand in his, with the thought of what he just said; confirming what she always assumed was true as well, but she still had to answer that question.
"Well sir, he knows that, and he wants us physically together, not just as team mates, campers, friends, whatever…he wants us physically acting on our feelings rather than suppressing them for those past seven years." Realizing what she just said, Sam attempted to take back her hand from Jack's, but he just held firmer. "Seven years?"
She tried not to look at him, but then he said it, "me too." They both knew it, but couldn't believe it.
Jack asked a question from his mind out loud, "Well, doesn't he know about the regulations?"
"Yeah, that's what's inspiring him. He knows an off world antigen would not be considered a court-martiable offense."
"But, didn't someone once claim that even if it was an off world incident, that there had to be underlying emotions that would cause such effects."
"Well, Fifth doesn't seem to care. He said he loved me, Jack; he's not going to stop."
After a moment of silence, Jack finally said with regret, "Even though I like the idea of the no regs relationship, I know you don't want to jeopardize our careers. I can't afford to lose SGC to a lovesick maniac, and I can't afford to lose you. Not only are you one of the most valuable assets to this program, but you're my…well, I can't say, but just know I can't lose you."
Sam had to agree with disappointment audible in her voice, "I understand completely, sir." And she did.