Chapter 15: From Bad to Worse
A/N: don't own anything despite my hair brained attempts to bride them with Hostess Twinkies. Firefly & StarGate are not mine. Forward until daylight!
0710hrs: Outside Daniel Jacksons house… "YOU DID WHAT!?" Kerry asked Lt. Smith of the CSPD. "Look misses FBI Agent Johnson. We're just extra hands to you federal types. You only tell us the bare minimum while running rough shod over us. We don't appreciate it at all! The only stipulation concerning Detective Shanahan was NOT to allow him on scene. Nothing was said about letting him leave with his girlfriend." the watch commander replied back with anger.
Kerry was furious; Lt. Smith was being very uncooperative on purpose. The chief of police wasn't happy either but assured full cooperation. "Look Lieutenant, WE didn't give you all the details for very good reasons. We needed Detective Shanahan and his girlfriend for questioning. Their presence might have just compromised our operation. You weren't told because we figured the information would be leaked. Had you informed us of their presence we could have detained both of them." she shot back with equal anger.
"Pete's a great guy and friend. His new girlfriend is sweet as can be. I highly doubt that either one could be dirty." the officer replied then continued. "His new girlfriend is also an improvement over the air force brat. She had a thing for her commanding officer. Since that's against regulations I would look at the two of them first. It wouldn't surprise me if they were in bed together right now." The commander finished getting angrier by the minute.
Kerry was about to explode. She had read Colonel O'Neill's redacted file. Most of it was blacked out for national security reasons. O'Neill was an honorable man and meeting him just confirmed that. He would never knowingly break regulations. Major Carter might consider it by the looks she was giving him.
Colonel Dixon walked over to the arguing LEO's stepping between the two. "Enough! Your making a bad scene that's being noticed by the media by the way." he informed them. They looked at each other with death glares. The watch commander walked away a bit then turned and asked "Inform me when you're ready for the vultures." he said with an evil smile.
She looked at Dave and sighed, "Thanks colonel. That jerk has been at odds with me the entire time. If you hadn't intervened I would have decked him." Kerry said. "Berry would have deserved it. I have a friend on the force. He says that Smith is an expert yes man. Very few can stand to be around him." he explained. "I can see why, well let's get this over with. I have too much paperwork to do before I can get some sleep." Kerry replied rubbing her temples.
Fifteen minutes later the press was set up biting at the bit for answers. Amongst the reporters was the worst of the bunch, the daughter of Richard Thornburg (do not own, please don't send Bruce after me. I like breathing!), Natalie Thornburg. She was worse than her father could ever be. Natalie used her looks to full advantage. She got information otherwise unattainable to others.
Kerry stepped up to the reporters along with a larger crowd of residents. "At 0223hrs we apprehended a person of interest, Sara Gardner. She was wanted for questioning in an ongoing investigation by the FBI. We received a tip that Ms. Gardner was staying with Dr. Jackson.
The anonymous tip also said that she was in danger. What turned out to be hired hit men were already in position before we arrived. They attempted to abduct Ms. Gardner and Dr. Jackson. The attempt failed when both Dr. Jackson and Ms. Gardner fought back. Both were injured in the struggle. Two agents entered the house ahead of the response team. One was injured in the fight. All three were transported to the Air Force Academy Hospital in stable condition.
While we were wrapping up a senior agent was shot by sniper with a suppressed rifle at 0334hrs. It is unknown at the time if the shooting and capture of Ms. Gardner is related. The three assailants that were arrested are being questioned in regards to the ….." she explained only to interrupt by the press.
"Agent Johnson...what's status of the injured?" asked one. "Were exactly are the hit man being held?" asked another. "What is the condition of the shot agent?" inquired more than one. "Why were the injured taken to the Air Force Academy hospital instead of a civilian one?" asked another one.
Natalie listened to the other reporters ask their rapid fire questions shaking her head. They should be patient like her. That's when she saw him, Justin. Natalie remembered the man standing alongside Agent Kerry Johnson. He was a mark for one of her ongoing stories. One about secrete government project at Cheyenne Mt. complex. Justin had told her he was in the Air force over beers. He then regaled her with war stories that were actually intriguing. They were mostly about the overseas missions, nothing classified. She suggested going back to her place once she caught him looking down her dress for the third time. It didn't take much to seduce him from there. A few kisses and intimate touches she had him. Several hours later he was talking up a storm although nothing pertaining to a secrete program. The only thing positive about that night was the sex, it was the best she had in a long while.
If Justin was in the Air Force why was he wearing FBI tactical gear? Did he lie to her? If he did it was a damn good lie. Natalie did some quick thinking coming to a glaring fact. No, Justin was in the Air force and so was the big scary looking man. Dixon his Id showed through her cameras lens as she snapped some photos. The way they carried themselves screamed military. That could only mean one thing, this was a military operation! The Air force was using the FBI as a cover! Her informant was right, there was something going on under that mountain. Natalie smiled evilly at her former mark/lover as he recognized her.
"OH HELL NO! That's...no it can't be! Damn, it is Saffron. She lied to me about being a waitress. The colonel is going to kill me for sure." Justin thought to himself. He reached over and tapped his CO on the shoulder. Dave looked at his subordinate getting the message that he wanted to talk.
The two men moved away. Dave noticed Justin looking at Natalie Thornburg, a literal thorn in the side of the SGC. In hushed voices Dave asked his teammate "Tell me you didn't sleep with Natalie. Don't you lie to me either!" he said pointedly. "Um...her name is Natalie? She told me it was Saffron when we hooked up a month ago." Justin responded fearing a reprimand. Dave muttered something unintelligible while running his hand over his face.
"Her name is Natalie Thornburg, a reporter that we were all informed of. We were also told to steer clear of her Captain…!" he told the 5'7 man before him. "Ah, yes sir. She must have disguised herself, Sir." Justin answered honestly. "Doesn't matter now, Natalie isn't stupid. She just figured that we aren't FBI. Your roll in the hay just got out cover blown, the general won't be happy. You'd better hope she keeps this to herself or all hell will break loose. We'll finish this talk at the base Lieutenant." Dave told the demoted solider as he walked away. The former captain gulped hoping that he didn't get thrown off the team. He loved the action and adventure too much.
Natalie watched the two air force officers talk briefly. Her lip reading ability confirmed her belief. She turned back into the press conference ready to ask her questions. "Agent Johnson, Is there any indication that Dr. Jackson & Ms. Garners past relationship had anything to do with her presence?" Natalie smiled at the perplexed look on the agents face. "The FBI was unaware of any previous relationship. We'll be sure to follow up on the information though." Kerry responded calmly. "Just to clarify, this is the same Doctor Jackson that made claims that the pyramids' were built by aliens. He also said that they were landing pads for space ships." she threw out there on purpose.
Col. Dixon, Cap. Jones and Kerry were totally caught off guard. The other reporters and gathered civilians were either stunned or laughing at such non-sense. Ms. Thornburg had hit the bulls' eye. No words were needed for confirmation. "Does he still work for the Air force as well?" she struck again. Kerry and the others regained their composer quickly. "Yes, this is the same person but I'm unaware of Jackson's current employment. Whether or not Dr. Jackson still believes in his theories is unimportant to the investigation." she answered then paused when one of her agents whispered in her ear. "We have news of the agent that was shot. He just came out of surgery not long ago and is in stable but critical condition. No Names will be released until the families are reached... That will be all, thank you for your patience." Kerry finished.
Meanwhile back at the SGC: Walter turned off the T.V. for the now fuming general. They should have left it on longer because of other breaking news. There was a report about an apartment complex fire that had serious consequences. "This is not good at all, Ms. Thornburg is still digging. Her questions weren't meant to be answered. She was putting us on notice." Walter shared his thoughts with the general. "You right son, this whole situation has been manipulated from the word go."
George replied rubbing his temple. "Okay, we need to focus on the situation. 1: We have Maybourne on base with vital information on his laptop. 2: Problem is that we need Major Carter here fix it because it's been shot. She's refused to leave Colonel O'Neill's side. 3: both Daniel and SSgt is Nantz laid up. 4: Natalie Thornburg is around digging again. 5: Detective Shanahan and Jessie Bell are still on the loose. 6: Colonel O'Neill has been poisoned and can't be moved yet. Dr. Frasier can't try and figure out an antidote until she comes back to base." the general went through the known problems.
"Sir, can't one of the other scientists fix the laptop?" Walter asked. "No, Maybourne will only trust Major Carter because of her loyalty to O'Neill." George explained. "I understand fully. Given what's transpired overnight I wouldn't take any chances either." the CSM replied. "I also doubt the local police being of any help. They really don't like us very much. The police in my area are crooked as Kinsey." he said with distaste. "That is a fact. I would bet my bottom dollar that Kinsey had his tentacles deep in the police department, Shanahan an obvious example." George added. "Send a detachment of 12 SF's to relieve the SG teams at the hospital. Agent Johnson and Colonel Dixon will need to relief as well. Send 8 SF's to guard Daniels house." he told Walter. "Yes Sir." Walter replied following the generals orders right away.
0800hrs AIRFORCE ACDEMY HOSPITAL: Daniel awoke slowly hearing two people talking. They were discussing comic book characters. Sophia and Lurch were deciding who various SG1 members were. "Daniel is defiantly Bruce Banner, just without turning green." Sophia said. "Unless you count that time on PXT-945 were he drank that blue sparkly drink, he was green for three days. The colonel kept trying to get him to say 'HULK SMASH or HULK ANGRY!'". Lurch said while stifling a laugh "My side hurts when I laugh too hard. I better watch it before Dr. Frasier puts me back out." he finished while holding his side.
Sophia just smiled smugly at the thought of all the men being scared of Janet. They can face Jaffa all day but when it came to the good doctor… "Serves you right Lurch; I had to deal with Jack for those three days. I'm never going to watch any Hulk movies or cartoons again. He was my favorite growing up mind you." Daniel said as he adjusted the bed. "Your awake, are you feeling better?" the team medic asked. She went over to Daniel giving him a quick check up. "Well, you're looking okay from what I can see." she said with a smile. "Thanks, Sophia. It's just my legs so I'll recover with some TLC." he replied. "You'll get some TLC alight. From certain...ouch! That hurt." Lurch complained moving his good arm. "Don't tease Daniel, it's not nice! You big baby." she replied as Daniel put his hands behind his head smiling. "So, where are Jack and Sam at? I figured they'd be here discussing who's who in the comic universe too." he asked. Both of his team mates faces changed to sorrow instantly. "What happened?" Daniel asked with worry. "The Colonel was shot and is in critical condition. Major Carter is with him now. He's over in the next room under heavy sedation." she explained. Daniels worry turned to anger quickly…
"Gorramit! Who did it? Is Sam injured?"He asked with concern. Sophia looked over at Lurch seeing that his temporary happiness was gone as well. With the sadness returned she turned to Daniel. "We think it was Shanahan. Apparently his girlfriend lived near you. They left together for parts unknown. I had to sedate Major Carter. She went into shock then tried to get to Colonel O'Neill. The major would have interfered otherwise." She answered him. Daniel took the news hard. Jack and Teal'c were like big brothers. Sam and Sophia were sisters. Lurch; well he was just the annoying little brother. "How in the hell did they get past the police then? Weren't they supposed to detain them? We should have seen this coming with all the enemies we've made." He rubbed his forehead feeling a big headache coming on.
Sophia looked away with tears in her eyes. Her family was hurting and all she could do was sit. Lurch put his good arm on her shoulder giving it a squeeze. "The local police allowed them to leave Daniel. The watch commander is friends with Shanahan, you do the math. Agent Johnson will do everything in her power to bring them in." Ron answered sincerely. "She had better or there's going to be hell to pay!" Daniel replied with clenched fists pounding the bed. TBC