Under the Microscope - part 9

Sorry for the somewhat longish wait - just got back from a computer dead zone. Hail to the internet. Also, some more bad words in this chapter, don't read if you're going to be offended.

Enjoy!


D - Jack? What was that meeting about, that you and Sam had to go to? Cos Mickey just told me there's some really scary rumours going round.

J - It's the fucking rumours that started this.

D - Started what? You're not really getting court-martialled, are you?

J - No. Well, probably not.

D - Probably not? But they don't know anything!!!

J - They don't need to. They've heard the rumours.

D - But rumours . . . they can't convict you for rumours!!!

J - Kinsey will try. You just watch him. There's going to be an official investigation about whether or not me and Carter are breaching the frat regs, or just getting too close. You and Teal'c will be interviewed.

D - What do you want us to say about the kiss?

J - Tell them the truth.

D - Are you sure?

J - Yes. Lying now will just get us in more trouble.

D - Okay. How's Sam coping with all this?

J - I don't know, I haven't seen her since the meeting.

D - But how was she in the meeting?

J - Same as me. Shocked and angry. We've never done anything wrong. We all know what would have happened to her if they weren't convinced we were married.

D - Yeah. You just need to explain that to the people leading the investigation.

J - Like they'll listen. They'll be little NID creeps biased against us from the start.

D - Sam knows that NID guy, doesn't she? Agent Barrett? Couldn't he pull some strings? Get you a fair hearing?

J - Worth a shot.

D - Yeah. You should tell Teal'c and Mickey what's going on too. Mickey was really worried.

J - I will. Actually, I'll do it now.

D - Okay. Do you need me to do anything now? Start working on a defence case, get people rallying on your side?

J - Sure, whatever. Knock yourself out.

D - It'll be alright, Jack.

J - I hope so.

*

J - Teal'c? Can I talk to you?

T - Of course, O'Neill. What do you wish to discuss?

J - Have the rumours reached you yet?

T - To which rumours are you referring?

J - The surprise meeting me and Carter had to attend.

T - I have heard nothing.

J - There's going to be an official investigation. Somehow Kinsey and his NID pals got wind of the rumours about me kissing Carter. Now they want to investigate our 'relationship' and decide whether we're breaking the regs or just getting too close to each other.

T - Who told the NID?

J - We don't know, and we probably never will. They're gonna want to interview you.

T - I see.

Pause

J - Teal'c?

T - Yes, O'Neill.

J - I know how you like to do the silent thing when you get interviewed by people you don't like, but I don't think it will work in our favour this time.

T - I will speak, O'Neill. I will make them see that you are innocent, and that you would never break the fraternisation regulations.

J - Thanks, T. It means a lot.

T - We are friends, O'Neill. It is simple loyalty. You would do the same for me.

J - Yeah, I would. Not that you're ever likely to fall for Carter.

J - I meant be accused. Be accused of falling for Carter.

T - Indeed.

J - Have you seen Mickey recently? She's not answering on IM.

T - Is it possible she is with Major Carter?

J - Yeah, I s'pose it is. I'll try there. Thanks for your support, buddy.

T - You are most welcome.

*

J - Carter? You there?

Pause

S - Jack, it's Mickey. Sam's just gone to the bathroom.

J - Actually, I was just checking to see if she knew where you were, and if you'd been told yet. Guess you have.

S - Yeah. Sam's really worried about it.

J - Yeah. Me too.

S - These NID guys, are any of them decent?

J - I wouldn't know. I've only met a handful.

S - But they were all ass-holes?

J - Pretty much.

S - God, why did this have to happen? Why now?

J - Cos I kissed her. That's what it comes down to.

S - But she would have been taken hostage! The King would have owned her! And Sam's a very attractive woman. He wouldn't have just left her alone and you knew that, which is why you did what you did. You probably saved her from being raped.

Pause

J - No one's said it before.

S - What, rape?

J - Yeah. It churns my stomach just thinking about it.

S - So tell the investigators. Tell them what would have happened if you hadn't kissed her. They'll get it.

J - What if they don't?

S - Then Sam will get reassigned. That is the worst that can happen.

S - She's coming back, I have to go.

J - Okay. Tell her it'll be alright, we'll figure it out.

S - I will.


Hope you liked it! In case there was any confusion, in the second half Mickey was in Sam's lab, on Sam's IM account, which is why her dialogue began with 'S -' because that's what Jack would have seen. Maybe I shouldn't have bothered with all that and just used an 'M -'. Sorry!

Beka