Disclaimer: 'Stargate SG1', 'The 4400' and all the characters associated with both shows belong to people who aren't me. As I doubt that the owners would be willing to trade their rights for some magic beans that aren't in any way magical, this is not going to change at any point in the foreseeable future.
Author's Note: For all those following 'The Sword in the Stone', it's been been updated today. I've also posted the first part of a new Sam/Jack story, cowritten with SionnachOghma – 'The President and I'.
Chapter Two
Four weeks later
"They're releasing her? Thank God!" Daniel said, relieved.
"The ACLU filed a lawsuit on behalf of the families of some of the returnees." Hammond explained to the five people sitting in the briefing room. "The court upheld it. NTAC have no legal right to hold Captain Carter, or any of the others, against their will. Her release is not unconditional, however. Captain Carter will be required to check in with the nearest branch of NTAC on a weekly basis."
"That could be a problem." Jack observed. "You might have noticed that SG-1's missions don't always go as planned - what happens if Carter can't get back to Earth in time?"
"Maybe she won't want to rejoin a field team." Mitchell suggested, frowning at his commanding officer's words.
"Mr Ryland and I spoke." Hammond told Jack. "I explained that should Captain Carter choose to return to this facility, there would be a possibility that she would be unable to appear for each of her scheduled visits. They understand that a degree of flexibility will be necessary." He looked at Janet, who was sitting on his left. "Doctor, NTAC has agreed that you and your staff may assume responsibility for most of Captain Carter's medical examinations, although they do expect you to send them copies of your reports and their own doctors will want to see her every two months."
"Yes, sir." Janet smiled, delighted to know that her friend would be back.
"So when can we go and get her?" Jack asked.
"This afternoon." Hammond smiled. "I've already arranged transportation for your team, and for you, Doctor."
Although Janet badly wanted to be at NTAC to greet Sam when she emerged from quarantine, she shook her head. "Thank you, sir, but I think that Sam might appreciate it if I did some shopping on her behalf."
"You should pick up a cake too." Jack suggested. "Coming back in a ball of light definitely merits cake. Pizza too, and beer."
"Party?" Daniel suggested.
"A small one, we can use my place." Jack decided. "Just us."
In the six weeks since the group now dubbed 'the 4400' had returned and everyone at the SGC had learned that the missing Samantha Carter was one of them, gossip and speculation had been circulating freely and opinion seemed pretty divided with some, influenced by the media, believing that the group could pose a threat.
Everybody had been careful not to speak of it in front of SG-1 or General Hammond but they were all aware of it and had come to an unspoken agreement to wait at least a couple of days before Sam would return to the SGC, to give the rumours a chance to die down.
"Your plane to Seattle leaves in half an hour," Hammond told them. "And there'll be a car there to meet you and take you to NTAC. Bring her home, gentlemen."
"Will do, sir." Jack grinned. "Will we be seeing you later?"
Hammond smiled warmly. "I wouldn't miss it." He rose, signalling that they could leave. "Dismissed."
"Looks like we've got a field trip." Jack said once Hammond had retreated to his office. He followed Teal'c, who had already begun to make his way out of the briefing room. "Wait for us, big guy!"
Daniel turned to Mitchell, who remained in his seat. "Are you coming?"
The other man looked awkward. "I don't think so." He excused himself. "I've never even met Carter, I'd just be in the way. You guys go on ahead."
"Daniel!" Jack's impatient bellow could be heard from the hallway. "If you don't get a move on, we're leaving without you!"
"I've gotta go." Daniel told his teammate hastily, hurrying after his friends, half afraid that Jack would make good on his threat. "See you when we get back."
He was gone before Mitchell could respond.
Like quite a few other returnees, Sam had been glad to accept the offer of the NTAC representative to bring in a set of clothes for her. Her dress blues had been cleaned and packed for her to take with her, but she preferred to wear civilian clothes for her departure from quarantine, especially as they had been warned of the strong possibility that the media would be lying in wait outside the compound to film their release, which was already being loudly protested against on the Barbara Yates show, among others.
Her dress uniform would have attracted more attention than she ever would have wanted.
Given that more than four thousand people were leaving quarantine, organizing their departure was a difficult job for NTAC's people.
Some people, particularly those who had been gone for a relatively short period, were lucky enough to have family and friends waiting to welcome them back. Others, Sam knew, would have a more difficult time finding a place for themselves in the world.
Of the handful of people who had chosen to remain in Quarantine Building B, only Maia Rutledge had elected to see those leaving off.
"Don't worry." She assured Sam solemnly, sensing her concern. "I'll be alright. I'm not going to be here much longer."
"Ladies and gentlemen, if you would come this way." One of the guards said, unlocking the heavy metal doors separating the returnees from the rest of the world.
Few lingered before making their way through the doors to the reception area and freedom.
"You're absolutely sure that this is the right building?" Daniel asked, for the third time in five minutes.
"Yes, Daniel." Jack spoke with exaggerated patience. "I've been here before, remember?"
"Right." The younger man said sheepishly. They reached the top of the queue.
"Name?" The clerk, understandably somewhat frazzled, asked in a clipped tone.
"Daniel Jackson."
"We're here to meet Captain Samantha Carter." Jack explained, seeing the clerk begin to enter Daniel's name on her keyboard.
"Thank you." She gave Daniel an irritated look before typing the name on her keyboard and looking at her computer monitor. "Samantha Carter, returnee number 1,871."
"You've given these people numbers?" Daniel was appalled.
The clerk ignored him, handing Jack a small blue sign labelled '1871'. "If you will follow the corridor to your right, you will reach the reception area." She told him.
"Thank you." Jack accepted the sign and walked down the indicated corridor, Teal'c and Daniel following, depositing the sign in the nearest trashcan.
The large reception area was crowded with people, most of them clutching signs like the one Jack had been given, anxiously awaiting the moment when their loved ones would appear.
Delighted cries echoed through the room as the first group came into view. A few feet away from the three men, a woman and her teenage son pulled a second teenager into their arms, their relief and joy visible to all.
"I don't see her." Daniel murmured, worried.
Teal'c, the tallest of the three, scanned the faces of the people making their way into the reception area, a broad smile spreading over his face when he saw his friend. "There." He pointed.
"Sam!" Daniel darted forward, pulling her into a tight hug the second he reached her side. He studied her face closely once he had released her. "You haven't changed." His tone was awed. Apart from the fact that her hair was a bit longer after six weeks in quarantine, she looked exactly as she had when he had last seen her.
"It's good to see you too." She said softly.
"Captain Carter." Teal'c bowed ceremonially before bending down slightly to hug her.
"Remember, big guy, she does need to breathe." Jack teased.
Teal'c merely frowned at him, releasing Sam a minute later. "I am pleased to see that you are safe and well, Captain Carter."
"Carter?" Jack touched her shoulder lightly. "C'mere." He whispered, hugging her. He released her after a few moments, grinning. "I take it you don't want to stick around?"
"No, sir." She smiled. "I'm ready to go."
"Good." He started to lead her towards the exit. "Let's get you home."
TBC.