Disclaimer: I still don't own the characters, though I certainly wish I did.
Author's Note: This is unbeta'd so all mistakes are, as always, my own.
"This is incredible."
Janet's eyes are wide as she takes in the sight of the main rotunda of the Sanctuary's habitat level. Her attention jumps from place to place, each movement drawing her eyes in rapid succession. Doctor Magnus is standing just behind her but Janet's too swept up in the sprawling scenery before her to really pay attention to the brunette woman.
"I'm pleased you think so," Helen says, her voice laced with quiet pride. "I've dedicated my life to providing a safe haven for Abnormals who need protection from the cruelty of a world that doesn't understand them."
"I've seen some truly spectacular things in my life but this takes the cake," Janet replies, her eyes bright as Helen leads her to a large water-filled tank. They stand in front of the glass and Janet gasps in shock as a mermaid swims forward, her long hair drifting lazily around her shoulders. Reaching her good hand out and pressing it against the glass in awe, Janet watches the mermaid mirror the motion and is startled to hear a soft melody play through her mind. She jerks her hand away and throws a shocked look at Helen, who just smiles serenely.
"William and Henry have lovingly nicknamed her Sally since her given name is long and hard to pronounce," Helen says as she greets her old friend.
"She's beautiful," Janet breathes, her eyes wide in wonder.
"She appreciates the compliment." Helen smiles and gently guides Janet to the next stop on their tour. They enter a large doorless room and find a young man working at his computer, typing away furiously. When Helen clears her throat softly, the man turns and grins.
"Magnus! I was just about to call you," he says, leaning back and waving a hand at the monitor he's just turned from. "I got the results of the search and you were right, there are more reports of homeless men going missing than the police let on. I sent Will the results and he said he'd take a closer look to see why the reports weren't taken seriously."
"Well done, Henry." Helen smiles that proud smile again. "Henry, this is Doctor Janet Fraiser. Doctor Fraiser, this is Henry Foss, head of security here at the Sanctuary."
"It's a pleasure to meet you," Janet says. "You do an amazing job, Mister Foss."
"You're the Janet Fraiser?" Henry's face lights up and he grins widely. "Man, I've been waiting to meet you for a really long time. Your work with that machine that made the little wormy things was brilliant!"
Janet's jaw drops and she stares in shock at the casual knowledge this man has of Ma'chello's goa'uld killing device. The files from the SGC are highly classified and if someone outside of the Mountain - hell, outside of the United States - knows about it, there's a serious leak. Just as she's about to lose her cool, Helen steps forward and waves a hand at Henry.
"We've not gotten quite that far, Henry. There'll be time for you to talk to Doctor Fraiser after the tour," she says kindly. Janet starts to speak but Helen cuts her off. "I'll explain everything once we're done, Doctor Fraiser. You'll have to excuse Henry's enthusiasm."
After the tour is done and Janet's mind is completely and utterly blown, the two women walk quietly through the hallways, following a pathway only Helen knows. Janet's so caught up in the shock of everything she's seen that she can't find the words to express her awe accurately. When they reach Will's office, Helen knocks once and they enter when called in.
"So how'd the tour go?" Will asks once the women are settled in chairs across from him and Janet just shakes her head.
"I can't . . . this place is incredible," she finally says. "It's nothing like I've ever seen before."
"That's high praise coming from you, Doctor Frai-"
"Please, call me Janet," the petite woman interrupts.
"Only if you call me Helen," Helen counters with a smile before continuing. "I know you have questions about the Sanctuary but I'd like to start by explaining why I know so much about you and your work."
"Oh please do," Janet says and settles back in the chair, tugging at the sling to get her arm into a more comfortable position. "Information about my work is classified at the highest level."
"One of the perks of being the head of the Sanctuary network is that I have the highest security clearance across the globe," Helen explains. "Every government in the world allows me to know what goes on and there's been more than one occasion where my expertise with Abnormals has allowed me to assist." Her voice is soft but there's that soft tone of pride again that makes Janet smile faintly. "The United States Air Force thought it prudent to allow me access to Stargate Command's files and because of that, I've been able to follow your career from the first moment you accepted your posting as Chief Medical Officer of Cheyenne Mountain."
Janet stares in shock, her eyebrow raised high. "The thought of anyone having such unilateral access to sensitive information is a little unsettling," she says finally. "I mean, just knowing about the Stargate program is big but to think you've got knowledge about everything that happens on this world - and off it too, I suppose - is startling."
"In my line of work, the difference between walking away unharmed and ending up dead is only knowledge," Helen replies quietly. "I've had times where I was certain I wouldn't survive and the only thing that kept me alive was knowing certain facts that aren't available to the public."
Janet leans back in her chair and watches Helen with intense eyes, her mind racing at the information she's been given in the last hour. She shifts her sling a little and winces as pain radiates from her wound but says nothing about it; she's had worse and like she told Helen, this isn't her first gunshot.
"So, why did you show me the Sanctuary?" she finally asks. "Don't get me wrong, it was amazing and probably one of the most incredible things I've seen since I started at the SGC but I get the feeling you've got more in mind than just shocking me." She notes, with some satisfaction, that Will and Helen share a look that indicates she's correct.
"I spoke to General Hammond earlier this evening," Helen finally says once she's focused on the small brunette again. "I informed him of my intention to offer you a position here at the Sanctuary."
"A position?" Janet breathes, shaking her head. "I'm not looking for a job, Helen. I just left the Air Force and intend to travel for a while to clear my head."
"That's what General Hammond said you'd say," Helen replies lightly. "I know your reasons for leaving Colorado Springs and while I fully understand them, I ask that you give my offer serious consideration. I believe we can all benefit from your presence at the Sanctuary."
"I don't - " Janet stops and shakes her head, chewing her lip when she realizes that she doesn't really want to keep wandering. 'Sam wouldn't want me to be lost forever.'
"Take time to think things over," Will says and Janet looks over at him. "You've got a room here for the evening, regardless of what you choose to do. I agree with Magnus, though, I think everyone would benefit from you staying."
"There's no pressure," Helen assures her. "If you choose to walk away, I'll completely understand."
"I need to think," Janet murmurs softly as she stands. "I appreciate the tour but I think I'd like to lie down now."
Helen just smiles and stands, holding her hand out towards the door. Janet nods a polite nod to Will, who returns the gesture, and then lets Helen lead her to the guest room she'll be in. Looking around at the large room, Janet smiles faintly at the woman hovering by the doorway.
"Thank you," she says. "I appreciate your generosity."
"It's the least I can do after you so kindly allowed me to shoot you," Helen replies, making Janet chuckle.
"I told you - and you know, if you've read my file - that this wasn't my first gunshot wound."
"Very true, but regardless, I am sorry. I'm not in the habit of wounding prospective employees upon our first meeting, despite what William might say."
Janet laughs softly and nods. "So noted. I'll make sure to ask him about his healing time."