Tegan Chronicles

Intuition and Lies 15

"Senator McKenzie, what do we owe this honor?"

"Cut the crap Colonel." Senator McKenzie looked up from where he was sitting as Jack joined the rest of the group which consisted of SG1, General Hammond, Janet and Jessica Kiser. "You're lucky I don't court martial you right now."

"Court Martial?"

"Have a seat Colonel." General Hammond pointed to the only empty chair.

"That's right, Court Martial Jack."

"On what grounds?" He scoffed as he dropped unceremoniously into the proffered chair.

"Misuse of tax payers hard earned money and government funds."

"Because flying out here with in hours of hearing about this for this charade is our tax dollars hard at work."

"Colonel." General Hammond cleared his throat.

"You'd better watch your step Jack. I'm willing to work with you here rather than charging you and Major Carter immediately, and sending Teal'c to area 52 where he belongs." He looked at Daniel. "And put him back to digging in a sandbox. And don't think Dr. Fraiser and General Hammond will get off scot-free."

Jack sat there quietly despite all the insubordinate comebacks running around in his head.

"Just what are you proposing Senator?" General Hammond opened the floor.

"You have four months from today to get Major Kiser rehabilitated and ready to return to work. She has to be able to pass the physical fitness test and firearms proficiency. If she doesn't then you'll each be dealt with accordingly."

"That's completely unrealistic, she's still comatose from surgery." Janet spoke up as if she was sitting at a round table discussion. "Not to mention she's not only recovering from an amputation but from major brain surgery."

"Well then, if she doesn't wake up, you won't have to worry about rehabilitation will you?" He constantly proved how inhuman he could be.

"This is all your doing." Jack caught up with Jessica after the meeting had been dismissed.

"No it's not." Jessica turned on him. "You think he wants to wait to hang your ass out to dry? I was the one who came up with giving her a chance."

"Four months, that's a real chance."

"I can only do so much." She turned her head as Janet walked by. "I want to see her."

"You have a plane to catch, and she's in isolation." Janet spoke as she continued down the hall.

When she looked back at Jack he was grinning.

"Cassie's on the phone." Julie stuck her head in to find both Janet and Dana in the room. "She wants to know if you can spare a few minutes."

Janet glance at Dana who nodded.

"Fraiser." Janet picked up the phone.

"Hey mom."

"Cassandra." A small smile warmed her voice. "How are you doing?"

"I'm fine, I was calling to see how you were holding up and get an update on Tegan?"

"She's the same Cassandra."

"And you?"

"I'm fine."

"You sound tired."

"How's school?" Janet changed the subject.

"It's school."

"And Maggie?"

"She's cool, we're having spaghetti for dinner tonight."

"Does she need to talk to me?"

"No, I'll let her know about Tegan." Cassie paused for a minute. "Mom, can I come see her?"

She wanted to spare her daughter from seeing Tegan in her current condition but also knew if anything happened to Tegan she would regret saying no. "I'll see if Sam can come get you after school tomorrow."

"Thanks. I'll let you get back to work, I know you're busy. And mom?"

"Yes Cassandra?"

"I love you."

"I love you too."

"I know you're in there." Dana slid her hand over Tegan's. "And I know how peaceful it is where you are. Well, I assume from my own experience it is. After my abduction I found myself floating in a small rowboat, there was a person on shore beckoning me back. I didn't know it at the time, but she was actually one of my nurses.

"I don't know," She sighed and shook her head. "Maybe it was all a dream. Something I made up after the fact. Maybe you aren't in there. Maybe you can't hear me. But that's not going to stop me from talking to you. It's not going to stop me from believing.

"You've got so many people standing on shore beckoning you back. You can pull through this." She squeezed Tegan's hand. "I want to believe."

"Any change?" Janet watched Dana pull away and wondered briefly what she'd told her.

Dana shook her head solemnly. "No."