Chapter 26
"Hey Daniel do me a favour and fix it so we all can hear that file." Jack asked anxiously.
Daniel got up and went to the computer made a few adjustments then set the file to play
"Yea it's me…it's done, Carter should be alone within the next hour"
"I'm so glad to hear that."
"Well I recognize the second voice as that bastard Kennedy's. Does anyone recognize the first one?" Jack asked hopeful. He looked around at his team and saw they were deep in thought.
"No, sorry Jack ah Sam, I don't." Daniel said apologetically.
"I also do not recognize the voice." Teal'c answered after giving it much thought.
"Me either Sir. So where does this leave us?" Sam asked feeling a little depressed; her plan had worked but still no one knew whom the voice belonged to.
"Well don't sweat it Carter, at least now we have a clue to work with. All we have to do is match the voice with tape." Jack said.
"Actually Jack there's no tape involved, it's a digital recording." Daniel said seriously.
"Ah, Daniel you know what I mean, it's just like the old fashioned tape recordings. Remember those?" Jack said a little irked.
"Sorry Jack." Daniel responded.
"Yea, well I'm gonna have Hammond come up here and see how he wants to handle this." Jack said, then picked up the phone.
"Okay, Sgt. Harriman's going to give Hammond the message as soon as he's done with his meeting." Jack said then headed back over to Sam.
"So Carter now that you're awake, do you want anything, like food maybe?" Jack asked knowing it's been a while since she's had anything to eat.
"I don't know Sir; I'm not sure how my stomach's going to handle food right now." Sam said in a quiet voice.
"Which is why Janet has you on one of those oh so special infirmary diets that everyone's just dying to go on." Jack said smiling.
Sam shook her head slightly, "I think I just lost what appetite I had."
"Come on Carter, that nurse Lt. Belle was in here not long ago saying you should eat something, I just have to call down to the infirmary and have the food brought up." 'Okay poor choice of words there Jack.'
Sam had to smile at the look on Jack's face after he realized what he said. "Well Sir, if you're going to keep twisting my arm, I guess I don't have much of a choice."
"Good, I knew you'd see things my way. Teal'c why don't you go down to the infirmary and provide an escort for the food?" Jack asked; he didn't want to take any chances that someone would put something in the food; security was still a concern.
"I would be more than happy to O'Neill." Teal'c said nodding to both Jack and Sam.
After Teal'c left the room, Daniel took over watching the security monitor.
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Harm and Mac finished their meeting with General Hammond; Harm was astounded when Mac told him about Agent Barrett Hammond on the other hand looked like he was about to hit the roof. He couldn't believe a government agent would allow what happened to Major Carter to occur. His sentiments were that he could wait a long time in that cell before he would get to checking out his story.
Sgt. Harriman saw the two lawyers coming out of the general's office, "Excuse me Sir, Ma'am but that police detective is at the gate insisting on talking to someone."
"Oh geez, with everything going on here I forgot about him." Mac said apologetically.
"I'll handle this Mac." Harm offered, then watched as the sergeant disappeared into the general's office.
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Teal'c arrived back at the room walking with Lt. Belle, who brought Sam a tray of food.
"There you go Major; I hope you'll be more comfortable." The nurse said after adjusting Sam's bed so she would be able to eat more comfortably.
"Thanks, it will be okay for a while." Sam said giving her a small forced smile. All that moving had made the pain increase and now she was in no mood to eat or do anything else. A patrol of Jaffa could come running down the hall, and Sam wasn't going to move out of the bed.
"I'll be back in a little while to check on you again."
"Okay, thanks." Sam said, 'just don't rush'
Daniel jumped up when he saw the nurse heading for the door. "Ah, I'd like to thank you for all your help lieutenant."
"Just doing my job doctor, and why don't you call me Katie." She said. She had seen Dr. Jackson many times in the infirmary and thought he was kind of cute.
"Ah it's Daniel and we really do appreciate all the help you've been giving Sam." Daniel said smiling and stuttering slightly.
Jack, who had made his way to Sam's bedside, quietly pointed out Daniel and Nurse Katie to Sam grinning as he did. Then he whispered; "Now you see how Daniel's earned his reputation with the nurses."
Sam couldn't help but grin and chuckle a little at the scene.
"So we'll be looking forward to seeing you again ." Daniel said as he walked Katie to the door opening it for her.
After the door closed Jack couldn't help himself, "So Daniel how many nurses does this make?"
"Huh, what?" Daniel asked puzzled, he didn't realize he had been putting on a show for Jack.
"That little thing you have going on with the nurse, how many nurses do you now have in your pocket?" Jack asked grinning.
"That's not funny Jack and I don't have any nurses in my pocket." Daniel said getting flustered.
"Indeed O'Neill, it would be impossible for Daniel Jackson to have any nurse in his pocket." Teal'c said tilting his head.
The other three members of SG1 weren't sure if Teal'c was serious or kidding.
"Well ah, thank you Teal'c…."
Daniel was cut off by door opening and General Hammond and Mac entering. "Colonel, you found something?"
"Yes Sir, thanks to Carter's program we now have a recording of the mole's voice; unfortunately none of us recognize it." Jack said looking disappointed.
"Well let's have a listen." Hammond suggested.
Daniel went to sit at the desk and played the file. Everyone in the room listened intently. "No, I can't place the voice either." Hammond said sadly.
"It sounds familiar." Mac said.
All eyes turned to Mac, in hopes she would know the identity of the mole. "Ah, I'm sorry Sir; I've interviewed so many people on the base I'm not sure which one the voice belongs to."
"Well you do have a list of those people you interviewed don't you?" O'Neill asked.
"Yes Sir, I do have a list."
"Good we can start from there and narrow down the suspects." Jack said.
"Where is Commander Rabb?" Teal'c asked.
"He's taking care of another matter right now." Mac answered.
The phone in the room started ringing. Daniel being the closest answered. "It's for you General."
Hammond took the phone and talked for a short time while the others waited anxiously. They wanted to get right down to business in finding the mole.
"That was Com. Rabb, he's having a problem with the police detective, he's insisting on interviewing all of you about what happened at Major Carter's house. I'm afraid he's also insisting on talking to you also Major." Hammond said looking over to Sam.
"Carter's in no condition to be going anywhere General." Jack said.
"This is why I'm having Com. Rabb escort him down here."
"You're kidding right General?" Jacks said cynically.
"I'm afraid not Colonel, I want you all to co-operate, but remember to keep what's off limits, off limits."
A resounding chorus of "Yes Sir." could be heard in the room. Well one was quieter than the others were.
A little while later Harm entering the room followed by a rather good-looking dark haired man in his mid thirties. "General Hammond this is Det. Price." Harm said introducing the man.
"Det. Price, I am not pleased in having to let you enter this secure facility, I trust you will remain with your security escort at all times." Hammond said in a stern voice.
"Yes General I will, and thank you for allowing me into the facility. So is everyone present?" Price asked looking around the rather crowded room spotting a blonde woman in a hospital bed with an IV bag hanging next to her.
Harm took it upon himself to do the introductions. "This is Col. Mackenzie, Dr. Daniel Jackson, Col. O'Neill…"
Jack cut Harm off before he could introduce Teal'c. "This is Murray and over there in the back of the room is Major Carter." Jack was glad Teal'c had gone to get a hat to cover his tattoo before the cop showed up.
"So Colonel O'Neill, I need accounts from each of you, but I'd like to start with Major Carter, since the incident took place in her house."
Jack led Price over to Sam's bed. "As you can see Major Carter is in no condition for this, so keep it as short as you can." Jack said a little annoyed.
Price looked at Sam who was lying in bed with her head raised on a couple of pillows. . He could see her face was all bruised, as well as her arms with dressings around her wrists. He could tell she was beautiful, even under all those bruises.
"I'm sorry to put you through this Major but I need you to recount what happened that night." Price said compassionately.
"That's okay, I understand." Sam said then started coughing slightly grabbing her side as she did so.
Jack was at her side in an instant, he put his hand on her shoulder, "You Ok Carter?" He asked then picked up her glass of water and held it for her so she could take a drink.
Sam gratefully took a swig of the water, "Thank you Sir that helped." Sam said taking a few breaths, waiting for the pain subside.
Price looked from Sam to Jack looking very concerned.
"Major Carter has some broken ribs and very bad bruising." Jack told him acknowledging his concern.
"I'm sorry Major, are you alright to continue?" Price asked.
"Yes, I'll be okay. So where do you want me to start?" Sam asked, not wanting to go over more than she had to."
"How did Col. Kennedy get into your house?"
"I'm not sure, he must have broken in, I had one guard in the house and I was stuck in bed." Sam chuckled, "Much as I am right now."
Jack decided to put his two cents in, "When I arrived at the house I found the guard lying on the floor unconscious, he had dart sticking out of his arm."
"Why did you have a guard?" Price asked puzzled.
"Ah, how much of this case do you know about?" Harm asked.
"Well I know about the dead body at Major Carter's house, I know about the shoot out that occurred a few days before, which the investigation I believe was taken over by the military. Which by all accounts is not your jurisdiction." Price said a little annoyed at Harm.
"Well then you must know that Major Carter's work here is highly classified, which had to do with the kidnap attempt, which was handled by the military." Harm said coolly.
"So then you had the guard due to the kidnap attempt?" Price said turning his attention back to Sam.
"Yes." Sam answered nodding.
"So what happened next Major?"
"I ah, heard some noises, I grabbed my gun; but he was hiding behind the wall next to the door and I couldn't get a clear shot on him. He however did have a clear shot at me, and was able to get my gun." Sam took a calming breath before continuing. She looked down and spoke a little quieter. "He then…managed to tie my hands."
Jack could tell Sam was getting upset retelling the events, "He, ah had her arms tied up over her head…to the bed post." He said this part quietly.
"Damn." He heard Daniel mutter. Daniel and Teal'c hadn't been told about that part of the story.
"I know this is difficult, Major Carter but I need to know, did he assault you sexually?" Price said in a calm voice.
"No, no he didn't. " Sam answered a little shocked. "He tried to get me to agree to…join him and give him classified information." Sam had to think about what she could tell the detective.
"Anything you can elaborate on?" Price asked, not liking to have to leave a blank area in his report.
"I'm afraid not." Sam said her voice becoming quiet again.
"Okay then, can you continue?" Price asked, he could see the toll this questioning was having on her, but he needed to know.
"Next he said that if I wouldn't help him, he would have to kill me because if he could get rid of the witnesses he'd be free to continue on."
Mac took a shaky step back bumping into Harm; she realized the other witness he would have to get rid of would be her. Harm gave Mac a reassuring squeeze on her shoulder.
"All I can remember is his him putting a pillow over my face…the next thing I knew I was waking up to my room filled with people." Sam said looking at Jack.
"Thank you Major Carter, I hope you're feeling better soon." He couldn't believe how this woman was able to remain calm while recalling her attempted murder; most witnesses he interviewed would be falling apart.
"So who knows what happened while Major Carter was unconscious?" Price asked looking around the room.
"That would be me." Jack said speaking up. "When I arrived at Carter's house, the door was broken open and I saw the guard passed out. When I made my to her bedroom, I saw Kennedy leaning over her pressing a pillow over her face." Jack said taking a deep breath to calm his nerves.
"Is that when you shot him?" Price asked.
"No, I didn't shoot him. I went after him; I pulled him and the pillow off of Carter. Then we started to fight. That's when he managed to pull a gun on me. He then pointed it at Carter; he said he wanted me to suffer by watching her die first." Jack closed his eyes and shook his head at the memory.
"That's when Col. Mackenzie and I arrived on the scene. We saw Kennedy aim his gun at Major Carter when we opened fire." Harm said, stepping closer to Sam's bed.
"So it was the two lawyers who shot Col. Kennedy." Price stated, looking up from his note pad.
"Yes, we did." Mac answered.
"Okay, I just have a few more questions. If Major Carter was as injured as she looks today, why was she at home and not in a hospital?" He asked, finding it a little suspicious how they said it went down.
"Major Carter was initially injured in the kidnap attempt." Jack told him, not mentioning the actual kidnapping and torture. "But not as badly as she is now."
"Would you care to elaborate on that?" Price asked
"Major Carter sustained a few more injuries here on the base." Hammond informed him.
Price looked surprised, "How did she get injured on base?"
"The work Carter does here can be…dangerous and sometimes accidents happen." Jack answered; he didn't want the cop to know what security problems they were having on the base.
"I'm going to need to see a copy of the medical report of your injuries for my file." Price said then sighed before adding, "I'll also need pictures to document the injuries."
"What!" Jack yelled. "She's been through enough already."
"Calm down Colonel." Hammond told Jack. "Isn't the medical report enough?"
"I'm sorry Sir, but with a shooting I need to document everything, including injuries to everyone involved." Price knew they were holding back information, but given the circumstances, he knew he wasn't going to get all the information he needed.
Sam could see Jack's jaw tighten and his fists clench. "It's alright Sir, I'm sure Janet can take the pictures and put them in the file."
"No Carter it's not alright, it sounds like he doesn't believe you were injured at all. What do you think she's faking it?" Jack's anger was growing
"No Colonel, I don't think she's faking it, but this story does sound a little…suspicious." Price said.
"Suspicious!" Jack yelled, "Does this look suspicious to you!" Jack grabbed the sheets and pulled them down to Sam's waist, then pulled the gown up to uncover her abdomen. He saw the bandages wrapped around Sam, then reached for the bandage scissors next to the bed and cut up along the bandages on her side, revealing her 'injuries'.
Sam was shocked by what Jack was doing, with a look of utter horror on her face.
Det. Price watched as O'Neill uncovered Carter's abdomen, his jaw dropped when he saw the injuries and felt a little guilty for doubting her. "I'm sorry Major Carter; I didn't mean to infer you faking your injuries."
"Jack!" Daniel yelled at Jack's antics, running to Sam's side and grabbed the sheets to help cover Sam.
Jack realized what he had done may not have been the right thing to do. His anger quickly dissipated and he looked down at Sam seeing shock in her eyes. "I'm so sorry Carter, I hope you can you forgive me?"
"I know you were angry Sir, but next time try something else." Sam said, not only in shock but also in some more pain, since the tension from the bandages was now released.
"If that's all Det. Price, I think Major Carter's been through enough." Hammond said his voice sounding angry from what Jack had just done. "If there are any more questions for the others we can arrange to have them come to your office." Hammond then motioned to Rabb, who nodded and then went to stand next to Price.
"Very well, I'll let you know when I need to speak to someone. Again Major Carter, I'm sorry for the inconvenience and I do hope you get well soon." Price said then followed Rabb out of the room. He still thought it was odd that it looked like they had a hospital under this mountain.
"Colonel O'Neill, I'd like to have a word with you in my office." Hammond said angrily. "Major Carter I hope you're going to be okay with what just happened." Hammond said then left the room.
"Look Carter, I'm truly sorry for what I did." Jack said his voice full of remorse. Then he left to go to the meeting with Hammond.
"I'll give Janet a call." Daniel said quietly to Sam squeezing her hand.
Mac came up to stand next to Sam. "Well that was quite a show the colonel put on."
"Yea, unfortunately he did." Sam said quietly looking down.
Mac's voice became quieter so only Sam could hear, "You know it only proves how he much he cares for you."
Sam shook her head, "You know as well as I do it doesn't matter how I or he feels."
"You know situations are always changing, one of you could get transferred at any time; this is the military."
"No Mac you don't understand, both of us are considered too important to this base, they'd never transfer us willingly."
Mac could tell Sam was getting more upset by this subject and tried to change it. "So, how are feeling, physically I mean."
"Oh I could sure use a mega dose of pain killers right now."
"That's what I'm here for." Janet said, she had quietly entered the room but when she saw the two of them talking quietly, she decided to give them a few minutes.
"Oh, hi Dr. Fraiser." Mac acknowledged Janet with a smile.
"So let's see what's going on." Janet said as she pulled the covers down. "Well how on earth did that happen?" Janet said looking at the cut bandages.
"I'm sure Daniel can tell you later." Sam said through gritted teeth as Janet palpated the area.
"Well I was going to have to take the bandages off soon anyway to check on the incision site." 'Although' Janet thought to herself, 'I would have used pain meds first.' Janet took the medication from her pocket and injected it into the IV.
"You should be feeling better in a few minutes." Janet told Sam. "Well Sam I'm going to give you the option, do you prefer having your ribs wrapped or not."
"It does make it a little easier to move and the pain does seem to be a little less." Sam told her.
"Okay then, I'll give the medication a chance to work, then I'll wrap you up again." Janet looked around and noticed the absence of O'Neill. "We'll just have the guys step out when we're ready."
"Okay that sounds good." Sam said tiredly, feeling the medication starting to take effect.
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"Colonel O'Neill, I can't believe your earlier behaviour." Hammond said with a tinge of anger still in his voice.
"I know Sir; I don't understand why I did it either." Jack said rubbing his hands over his face. "I've already apologized, more than once."
"I hope that's going to be enough, I wouldn't blame her if she wanted to be transferred off your team"
Jack's jaw dropped, he couldn't believe what Hammond just said, "Ah, General I know I over reacted back there, but I'm sure Carter will find it in her heart to forgive me."
"It's not just that Jack, it's also your behaviour when you returned from Edora. I mean you didn't even thank her. She worked her ass off getting you back home and you acted like you didn't even care."
"Yea, I found about that, I was a real ass, but I think I've been making it up to her; at least I hope so."
"Well Jack just try to make sure our number one team remains that way. We all know how important it is having the major on your team."
"Yes, Sir, believe me I know." Jack said then stood up, "If that's all Sir, I'd like to get back and try to help find the mole. That's the least I can do for Carter."
"Very well Colonel, you're dismissed." Jack saluted Hammond and left the room.
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"Okay Sam, we're all done. How are you feeling?" Janet asked, knowing it wasn't a pleasant experience for Sam having her ribs bound again.
"Well I guess it could be worse. Don't you have something a little stronger?" Sam asked but not liking to have to ask for drugs.
"I'll try using the sedative again along with the pain meds, but since you have an adverse reaction to the morphine I'm afraid that's all I can do." Janet said feeling bad for her friend.
"What is Sam allergic to morphine?" Mac asked, she had lent the doctor a hand as much as she could with wrapping Sam's ribs and knew what kind of pain she was in.
"No she's not allergic, but ah…her system handles it differently." Janet tried to explain.
"So Sam I'll be right back with the medication."
"Thanks Janet I appreciate it." Sam said quietly.
As Janet went out the door, Jack entered and heard Mac talking to Sam.
"Wow Sam I can't believe you're the same person who wouldn't stay in bed when the doctor ordered it, or the same person who was working so hard to get the gate working again when you weren't in any condition to." Mac said.
"Yea, well maybe I've had enough. Almost being blown up will do that to a person. Not to mention I hurt like hell." Sam said annoyed.
Jack couldn't believe what he was hearing, is sounded like Sam was giving up, this wasn't like her.
"Okay Sam I'll let you rest." Mac said giving her a small smile as she walked away. She noticed Jack was in the room and gave him a shrug as she stepped out of the room to give them some privacy.
Jack took a deep breath and went to Sam. "Hey Carter, I'm back" Jack said pasting a fake smile on his face.
"How did your meeting go Sir?"
"Well let's just say Hammond wasn't happy with my earlier behaviour."
"Him either eh."
"Yea, but we both did agree on one thing. That you are a much needed member of SG1, and we'd both hate to lose you." Jack could see the puzzled look on Sam's face. "He was afraid that because of my bad behaviour of late, you'd want to transfer off the team."
"Really?" Sam said shocked. The one thing she never thought of was leaving SG1.
"Yea, I'm here to try and make sure that doesn't happen." Jack said seeing Sam furrowing her brow. "Look Carter in case you haven't guessed, you're one of the most important people on this base, I'd put you right after Hammond. I've already told you how strong, brave and smart you are; but what I didn't say was how much we…I depend on you." Jack said averting his eyes from her.
"Wow, that's sure nice to hear Sir, but…"
"No, no buts Carter, I need you on my team. I didn't need Hammond to point that fact out."
Sam couldn't help but smile slightly. "Well Sir I have to say I appreciate hearing all this, but I never had any intention of leaving SG1."
"So you mean I've been grovelling for no reason?" Jack said feeling a little stupid.
"Other than my pure enjoyment, no Sir, no reason at all." Sam said grinning.
"So then why did it sound like you were giving up, when I came in here?"
"I guess it was all just getting to me Sir, I hate being in so much pain that I cant' do things for myself or even get out of bed." Sam said sighing.
"I tell you what Carter; if you feel like ranting and raving go ahead I'm your man to go to. After what I did to you today, I owe you as much."
"Yea, I guess you do Sir. Okay next time it starts getting to me I'll be happy to yell at you." Sam said with a smirk.
"Good, so why don't you rest…that's if you want to? While the rest of us work on figuring out who that voice belongs too." Jack said putting his hand on her shoulder and giving it a gentle squeeze.
"Oh Sir?"
"Yes Carter."
"Does your owing me include…another massage?" Sam asked a little sheepishly.
Jack had to smirk he leaned in close to Sam's face, "Anytime Carter, anytime." He then left to let the others in the room so they could get to work.
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A/N: I want to send congratulations to jannissima and SG1-Fanfic on their fanfic awards.