Chapter 13: Message In A Bottle

After what they had learnt about Isabel they had placed her into protective custody. At least that's what they had called it. She was back in the cell and was almost bored out of her mind from waiting and waiting… and waiting… and waiting some more. She amused herself by constantly contracting and expanding the force shield, it never got so small that it touched her and it never got so big that it harmed her guards. She remained inside of the force field at all times, mostly. Once or twice she would lower the shield but keep the door closed. She knew that there was no point in trying to run away. She just sat in the middle of the cell, amused and safe. After she had been locked up she started experimenting with what her mind could do. She would access Rodney's computer and send him messages like 'Meredith, colonel Carter will never fall for you!' or 'Maybe you should stop being a pervert and find yourself a girlfriend!' he would always reply saying 'Who are you?', 'What do you want?' or 'Why are you doing this?' It was only when he had tried to track the source that he found it had come from the cell block. He was the only person that had taken the time to talk to her face to face, even if it was to tell her how immature she was being.

Isabel was in the process of manipulating her cell when she was distracted by the mind of someone strategically thinking something through. Wondering how to get someone to understand, no! To agree. The mind was getting ever closer and as it did it got louder and more chaotic. Then all of the chaos stopped, it had calmed and the small whisper seemed uneasily close, as if it was right behind her. Isabel turned to face the new presence to be met with a shock. Dr Weir had a slight look of grief in her eyes and seemed almost like she was mourning. "Isabel," she started "I have the displeasure of facing you with a difficult escape from your current situation. The IOA has allowed for you to be sent back home for the next few months where your interaction with the human race can be assessed and you will either be cleared for full access of the SGC and Atlantis or be confined due to any threat you may pose to the residents of earth."

Isabel was angry for several reasons; 1, the IOA couldn't trust someone who had lived on earth for fifteen years. 2, the IOA or Dr Weir, maybe both, did not think that she could be trusted. 3, there had been a few hints in that little proposal that she was not human and not welcome. "I don't actually have a choice in this do I?"

"Unfortunately not. You don't have a choice."

Isabel had been back in England for two weeks and she was already missing the SGC, Atlantis and, most of all, Ryan. She had gone back to school two days ago and hated it. Her time at the SGC had changed her; she was more than just a teenager, she was in love and being haunted by the fact that she was being haunted by the fact that she was in love. Emily and Leila had been trying to cheer her up but it wasn't working. She knew that she was being watched and she knew that it was just an excuse to permanently keep her away from the stargate. She got a letter from Ryan every few days, detailing what had been going on at the SGC and how much he was missing her. She would write back short letters only saying a few words about what had been happening, the rest would be about him. She would spend her time in her room looking out of the window, waiting for something interesting to happen. Her short stay at the SGC was almost like a dream and she now had to wake up and carry on with her life. If it wasn't for Ryan's letters, she wouldn't have believed it was real.

It was that time of day again; she would sit on the bottom step of her stairs, staring at the door in front of her, waiting for the letter to drop onto the rough muddy mat on her floor. The usual sound of fingernails on metal did not shake Isabel from her daydreaming state, but a knock on the door. The postman was stood on her doorstep holding a large box with the usual pile of letters on top. Isabel blocked out all of the sound around her and focused on the procedure that usually came next.
Take the parcel.
Sign the book.
Say thank you.
Close the door.
Search for Ryan's letter.
Isabel was shocked to find that not only were two letters addressed to her but so was the package. She hurried up the stairs, forced her sister to leave the room and slammed the door shut. She placed her mail on the floor by her bed as she neatened it up and retrieved her small willow box from under her bed that contained all of Ryan's letters. She neatly placed the four objects on her bed and clambered on. She first opened the letter with hand writing that she vaguely recognised.

Isabel, I would like to apologise for not contacting you sooner however there has been a debate here at the SGC about who would inform you of this. The IOA has reduces your parol time to one month, meaning that you have only two more weeks before you can come back. Thank you for telling Rodney to back off, Atlantis felt like hell working with the man. You probably won't be affected much by this but the President has made it possible for General O'Neill and I to be in a relationship. He proposed, I hope you'll be there for the wedding.
Lieutenant Colonel Samantha Carter.

Isabel was amazed by the new revelation. She only had to wait for two more weeks until she could go back, and Sam finally would get her happy ending. Isabel only had to listen to Sam mope for a month and yet she felt like she had been there for their entire story. She then opened the letter that appeared to have had the address printed onto the envelope.

Miss Hastings, I am writing to inform you that General Jack O'Neill has been promoted and is no longer in charge of the SGC directly. I, General Hank Landry, have been assigned to the position and have been informed of your current situation. The President and I would like to meet you in two weeks when you are there for your review.
Sincerely, General Hank Landry

Isabel was starting to feel depressed; there was no sign of contact from Ryan that day. Isabel placed the letters into her box, but only inside of a different compartment, and leaned back to lie down. Her back came into contact with something hard that startled her. Isabel shifted around to see the package that she had received. She grabbed the scissors that she kept under her bed and used the edge to split the tape that sealed the package. Isabel peeled open the cardboard to see a small 45mm hand gun, turning it over in her hand she recognised it as the gun they had issued her with in the SGC. Also inside the box was an ordinary brown envelope, she ripped it open to find a short note and a shooting licence. Isabel placed the note on the bed before reading it so she could get rid of the box; while she was releasing the flaps on the bottom of the box another envelope fell onto the floor with a loud thud. Isabel stuffed it into her pocket and continued with her task. When Isabel made it up to her room again she carefully unfolded the note in anticipation of her favourite message, a message from Ryan.

Isabel, I hope you don't mind this being short. We destroyed Osiris' ship but I'm not sure if he got out or not. You'd better stay on the safe side by carrying this gun with you at all times, just in case he comes after you. I love you. Ryan xx

Isabel retrieved the willow box from under her bed and placed Ryan's message among all of the others she had received from him. Isabel then drew out the envelope from her pocket and held it in her hands for a few minutes while puzzling over its contents. Isabel slipped her finger through the small gap at the corner of the seal and watched as the envelope was slowly opened. Isabel tipped the contents into her hand and smiled. It was a carved wooden necklace from the Athosians. The Athosians are Tayla's people; they survived the cullings on their planet by seeking shelter with Atlantis. Isabel took the gun and licence, placing in the lining of her bag since it was torn and she placed the necklace around her neck and let it fall over her heart, tucking it under her shirt.