Chapter Fifteen
They didn't get far beyond the mess before Walter's voice rang through the intercom, paging all of SG-1 to the briefing room. Carter 1, who'd been playing with the computers, beat Jack and Carter 2. She was already seated, watching for their arrival. Jack didn't miss the way Carter 1 analyzed their faces before she started scowling. Now Jack's features were carefully schooled to appear completely expressionless, but he knew Carter 1 was just as able as Carter 2 to read him. Of course, he realized with a wince, it might have been Carter 2's smug smile that gave them away.
Carter 2 sat down next to Jack and looked at Carter 1. "So, what did you break?"
Carter 1 seemed to think Jack was choosing sides again and he could almost see the steam coming out of her ears. "I fixed what was broken. I have no idea what this meeting is about, although I bet you two probably have a clue."
Feeling guilty, Jack looked down. He knew Carter 2 was still gloating, but he didn't want to see it. If he saw it, he'd get angry and he really didn't want to be angry at her. Not since he'd only realized a few minutes earlier that he really was very much in love with her. Them. Whatever. Jack busied himself with watching the others arrive, hoping they were being summoned for good news.
General Hammond took his place at the head of the conference table. Mindful of his presence, Jack and Carter 1 stood up while Carter 2 remained seated. Her gloating look was gone, replaced with boredom. The general noticed her lack of respect, but surprisingly said nothing. He and Teal'c appeared equally uncomfortable. Daniel was the last to arrive, still looking slightly startled by the existence of two Carters. Besides the initial shock each time he saw them, Daniel took it as well as Jack. Jack was quite pleased by that, since he was convinced it would have looked bad for him if he was the only one who could deal with two Carters. He wasn't sure why it would be bad; he only knew that it would be.
General Hammond fixed his eyes on Daniel, carefully focusing his vision so he would never see more than one Carter at once. "I understand you've made some progress, Dr. Jackson?"
Daniel looked up from his papers, apparently only vaguely aware of what was going on. "Huh?" He looked around himself, as if confused by how he'd wound up there. He shook it off and looked back at the general. He was used to getting so wrapped up in what he was reading that he wound up in places he didn't remember going. "Did you say something, general?"
"Daniel!" Jack couldn't resist shouting because it never failed to scare Daniel and scaring Daniel never failed to be amusing.
Daniel jumped in his seat, his face flashing red as he turned to Jack. "Was that absolutely necessary, Jack?"
Carter 1 was fighting back a smile and Carter 2 was giggling. Jack smiled, quite pleased with himself. "Oh, yes, absolutely."
Daniel shifted around the papers in front of him while he suddenly recalled having been the one to suggest the meeting. "I think I figured it out. It's actually a simple process."
Jack beamed happily. "Good, so when do we leave?" He was so pleased at the idea of a quick fix to the situation that he didn't notice the general's lack of enthusiasm.
Daniel sighed. "Of course, it's only simple if it works."
"Dr. Jackson, you only think you've figured it out?"
Daniel looked nervous and decided he was going to lie outright about everything in the future. It would be much easier than splitting hairs with anyone in the military. "I'm as sure as I possibly can be, general. It's not like there's anyone else to ask."
Jack winced as understanding set in. "So we might end up with three or four Carters?" Amusing or not, two Carters were annoying. He didn't want to imagine the hell of having three of her.
"Actually, no, that's about the only thing I can guarantee can't happen." Daniel was pleased to find he had everyone's rapt attention for once, except for Carter 2, who was more interested in staring at Jack. He decided that wasn't a battle he would soon win, and so ignored her. "In order for the process to reverse, it has to be initiated by someone else. The two halves need to be in contact with another part of the device, so it's impossible for them to activate it themselves."
The general looked angry, but everyone was pretty sure he was angry at the way Carter 2 was gazing at Jack. Jack was trying to ignore her, but the idea that she was looking at him with such open adoration made him grin involuntarily. The general was even more displeased that Jack once again seemed to be enjoying the affections of a subordinate. He spoke gruffly. "Dr. Jackson, should your assessment be wrong, what sort of outcome are we looking at?"
Daniel was confused because the answer seemed far too obvious for the general to have bothered asking. "If I'm wrong, sir, then it won't work."
Jack looked exasperated, which Daniel figured was a step up from ginning like an idiot. "Daniel, is there any chance something bad will happen if the reversal doesn't work?"
Daniel pointedly motioned between the two Carters. "Define bad."
Jack took in a deep breath and renewed his vow to not hurt any members of his team. "Will it injure her, Daniel? Will it leave her the way she is? Is not working the worst case scenario?"
Daniel watched as Carter 2 withdrew her hands from the table and moved them to her lap. He saw the fear on her face when she processed Jack's words. Carter 1 looked stoic, as always, but Carter 2 didn't bother hiding her emotions. He didn't relish the idea of hurting his friend. "I don't think it will hurt her." He shrugged and looked back at Jack whose expression of wide-eyed shock and fear seemed inappropriate to the discussion. "Technically, I'm thinking the worst that can happen is that we'll not only have two Sams, but also two of whoever activates the machine."
Carter 1, who for some reason appeared utterly furious all of a sudden, spoke up. "Maybe we can split everyone I know in two and send the useless set far, far away with her."
Carter 2, who for some reason appeared utterly pleased with the universe, suddenly looked nervous. She peeked at Jack, who was pointedly not looking back. "No offense, sir, but I'm not sure I want to meet the mean half of you. The mean half of you and Teal'c would scare the crap out of me."
Teal'c broke his silence. "I have no wish to be split in two parts. An alternate solution to this matter must be investigated."
Jack, who was slowly returning to his senses following having had to wrench Carter 2's hand off his thigh, had no missed a word of the conversation. His processing of it was simply slowed down considerably as the vast majority of his brain was redirected to actively refusing to give into the urge to ravish Carter senseless. Once Carter's hands were back in her own lap, he returning to thinking straight. "So Carter won't be hurt?"
Daniel watched as Carter 2's arms reappeared on the table before she dropped her face dejectedly into her hands. He noticed that Jack was listening once again. Something was going on and he was determined not to witness any of it. "I don't think she'll be hurt, no."
Jack turned to Hammond, praying no one had noticed what had just happened. "Sir, we have to try something. Anything. Please." He wasn't going to survive, or resist, another come on from either Carter.
Hammond had noticed the odd looks on both of the Carters and Jack, but thankfully, he had no idea as to the cause. "Under the circumstances, I don't see much of a choice. Get some sleep. You're shipping out at 0500."
