The Best-Laid Plans – Chapter 15

Author's Notes – Refer to Chapter 1 for all the thank yous. I've really appreciated everyone that has read this so far. Reviews are always appreciated.

Disclaimer – Refer to Chapter 1

Several minutes later, Colonel Young, Commander Aurelius, General O'Neill, Dr. Jackson, Colonel Mitchell, and several Alterans came rushing in to the infirmary. The Alterans who were medical personnel went to get instructions from Dr. Giovanni while everyone else approached Greer and Rush. Ev commanded, "Sergeant, report!"

Greer responded, "Sir, I told Reynolds and Carter to get a squad and hunt for Somers and Dr. Ziegler. They were supposed to let Lieutenant Scott know too."

"Excellent! He nodded with approval, and Commander Aurelius gave his men instructions to join the search. While he was doing that, Everett walked over to the bed Missy was laying on—a look of anguish on his face. He took note of the bandage on her head which was seeped with blood and breathed deeply to control his emotions. "What happened to her?"

Rush came up beside him. "Dr. Somers tried to inject her with something. The lass fought really hard, but the man that was with Somers slapped her, and she hit her head on the railing. I was three beds down. I couldn't get over here to prevent it. But, then I saw Somers go for the babies and heard her say that since the lass had people watching her, their first plan of making us all think she was crazy wasn't going to work and that they had decided to neutralize all three of them. I told Linda to hide and snuck up behind Somers as she was starting to inject Matthew. I tackled her, and that's when the other man started shooting." A sob of anguish came from his throat. "Why? The lass hasn't done anything to anyone."

Daniel spoke up. "Because they didn't want to share. The IOA was going to steal the Destiny out from under the Alterans' noses. Strom was just going to make us all think Missy was crazy, but decided last night she had too many people watching her. So, they decided murdering her and the children would be better." He faced Jack furiously. "This is NOT the legacy George Hammond left. I hope President Hayes can do something about this."

A fierce anger came across O'Neill's face. "I will make damn sure of it." His eyes narrowed as he gazed over at Everett. "You had people watching Missy? Did you know something?"

Turning to face the general, Ev replied, "Didn't know. Suspected. We were trying to get proof. She hallucinated B'aal last night after she ate dinner—a dinner that was probably drugged." He punched his other hand in frustration. "Dammit, I shouldn't have left her! That head wound looks really bad." He squeezed his eyes shut so he wouldn't cry.

"It does." O'Neill noticed Peterson and the other airman holding Jones between them. "Is that the man responsible for the shooting?"

"Yes, Sir," said Greer. "And you've already heard what Dr. Somers did. I think Dr. Ziegler was just supposed to be a distraction."

"All right." He turned to Aurelius. "Can he be housed on your ship? I want him away from the gate until the other two are caught."

Gaius nodded; a look of fury upon his face. "Of course." He motioned to two of his men to take Jones away. Then he turned back to Jack. "General, I can see by the look on your face that you knew nothing of this. I will tell you though that my government will be incensed by this horrific act. Greed and the ability to inflict pain and suffering of this nature especially on a new mother and her children is anathema to any Alteran."

General O'Neill responded solemnly. "I understand. Please know that there are good people on our world and that the people who are responsible for this will be punished. Murder and attempted murder are taken very seriously on our planet. But there's something I don't…."

Another voice interrupted him. It was Cameron Mitchell who said, "All of you are forgetting something."

Gazing at him confusedly, O'Neill said, "What are you talking about?"

"I'd like to know that too," said Ev who had sat down next to Missy's bed and taken her hand in his.

"Well," said Cam, "don't you remember how excited Patricia has been about the babies? And Kayla and Tessa? After she made sure I was okay with everything, that was all any of them talked about—how they were gonna help Missy, what they wanted the nursery to look like. I cannot believe she would participate in anything like this. You guys have known her longer than I have. Do you believe it?"

Daniel and Jack gave each other knowing stares before Daniel answered Cam's question. "I was wondering about that myself. It almost seems…."

At that moment, Everett's radio sounded. "Colonel Young, this is Riley in the gate room. Come in please."

Ev took the radio off of his belt and toggled it. "This is Young. Go."

"Sir, the stargate just activated, and two people came through from Earth. One is Teal'c, and the other is a woman who he says is the real Dr. Patricia Somers."

There was a collective gasp from everyone in range of the radio, and O'Neill motioned for Young to give it to him. He did so, and the general spoke into it. "Sergeant, this is General O'Neill. Tell Teal'c I will be there momentarily, and get on the radio to let Lieutenant Scott know that one of the people they are looking for is in possession of a mimic device. That means, if it's turned off, she will look different than she looks now."

"Understood, Sir."

The radio went silent, and Daniel said, "I knew it. I knew it had to be a mimic device. The IOA must have figured out how to backward engineer one."

"Yep," said O'Neill. "Okay, I want you and Mitchell to come with me." He touched Everett's shoulder and waited until the other man, his eyes filled with tears, turned to him. "I'm guessing you're gonna want to stay here."

Ev replied, "Yes, Sir." He motioned to Melissa. "I have to be here when she wakes up."

"All right." He spoke to Aurelius. "You're welcome to come with us, and we can jointly direct the efforts."

The commander said, "I will be there in just a moment." O'Neill nodded, and he, Jackson, and Mitchell left. When they were gone, Gaius asked Stacia, who had just come over to consult on Dr. Brightman's examination of Missy, "do we know the extent of her injuries?'

"Yes," said Stacia. "We found a scratch on this arm." She motioned to the zigzag mark on Missy's left arm. "Our guess is she fought what they were doing, and they slapped her to make her fall back on the bed. When she fell, she hit the railing here." She indicated the bed railing where they could see some blood. "And hit her head. The head wound is severe. She has a concussion, and there is a possibility of brain damage."

"Understood. What about the children?"

"They're both fine. We did find an almost full syringe next to the baby bed. I think Dr. Brightman called it Adderall."

Everett's eyes opened in horror. "That's an anti-psychotic!"

"Yes Sir," said Brightman. "If Dr. Rush hadn't gotten to your son when he did, he would be dead." She motioned to the children who were still being held by Eli and Chloe. "They're both very lucky."

"They are." He glanced at Rush, his face full of emotion. "Thank you, Doctor, for saving my son's life."

"You're welcome," said Nicholas with just as much emotion. "You know, it's funny, when we came here, I had my heart locked away because of Gloria's death. And I wasn't gonna let anyone in either. I just wanted to explore the Destiny. But then, the lass wormed her way in, and Linda did too. And now, I have purpose and love in my life. I owe you just as much thanks." He placed a hand on Ev's shoulder in support.

Gaius interrupted, speaking to Stacia, "Thank you for the update, Doctor." He turned to Young. "Can I speak with you, Colonel? Ev followed him to the corner where he told him, "I just wanted to tell you the offer of asylum is still good."

Swiping at the tears on his face, Everett replied, "I am very strongly considering it. I have to see how this plays out."

"I understand. I'll keep in touch." He left the infirmary to join the others.

Everett then walked over to Eli and Chloe. He indicated for Eli to hand him Matthew and once he did, the baby quieted, almost like he knew who was holding him. "I'm so glad you're okay." He reached over and touched his daughter's head. "And you too, munchkin." Struggling not to cry, he continued, "We have to be strong for Mama, okay? She's the glue that holds us together." A thought came to him, and he looked over at Dr. Giovanni. "What are we going to do about feeding them until Missy's conscious?"

Caught off-guard, Stacia didn't say anything for a moment. Then she glanced around the infirmary at the people working and snapped her fingers. "I knew there was another reason I wanted her over here." She called out to a person working at the other end of the infirmary. "Specialist Gemini, can you come over here please?"

A slim dark-haired woman made her way over to them. When she arrived, she asked, "What can I do for you, Doctor?"

"I had a question for you. Your blood type is AB 12, right?"

"Yes ma'am. Do you need a blood donation?"

"No, I need a mother's milk donation." She turned to Everett. "We have a way of activating mother's milk so Alteran women can feed children whose mothers have been injured. She has a compatible blood type so it would be possible." She turned back to the woman in front of her and introduced her to Ev. "Specialist Christiana Gemini, this is Colonel Everett Young." The doctor pointed to the bed Missy was on. "And that is his wife Melissa. She just gave birth three days ago, and she was one of the ones injured today. I know they would appreciate your help."

"Of course, Doctor." Christiana motioned to the babies. "They are both adorable, and I would be honored, Colonel."

Everett replied, "Thank you, Specialist." He handed her Matthew, and she gently placed him back on the baby bed with his sister who Chloe had just placed on the bed. Dr. Giovanni then took the specialist to another bed to begin the process. While she was doing that, Ev looked at Missy who had two wires coming out of her right arm and a thick bandage on her head wound. He asked Dr. Brightman, who had just finished hooking the last one up, "Can I hold her hand?"

"Of course," said Brightman with a sad smile. "Those are just giving her nutrients and medicine for the pain."

He nodded in appreciation, and she left to examine another patient. Taking his wife's hand in his, he squeezed it and said, "I'm here, honey. Remember how you always tell me you feel safer when I'm here. Well, I'm not gonna leave you now. You're gonna be okay. You have to be." He choked back a sob. "We need you. Me, Katie, and Matthew. Nothing else matters. Nothing. I love you, baby, with all my heart and soul."

Greer, who had still been standing there with the others, said, "Sir, I think I'll check in with the search teams. I'll let you know how it's going."

"Thank you, Sergeant."

The other three also said farewell and left Ev alone with his thoughts. For the next several hours, he watched as the doctors worked on their patients—his heart aching with everything that had happened that day and knowing that it would hurt his wife terribly to find out she had been the cause. He thought of what Commander Aurelius had said and knew that his offer would be the best chance to keep his family safe. At one point, he heard a noise from the next bed and saw TJ start to wake up. When he saw her eyes fully open, he stood up and went to her bedside. Placing his hand on her arm, he said, "Hey TJ. Don't move too fast. The doctor said you hit your head again."

TJ blinked her eyes several times before focusing on him. "Whoa! Sir, what happened? The last thing I remember was seeing Dr. Somers and another man trying to inject Melissa with something and threatening to do the same to the babies." She noticed all the beds close to her were full. "What happened?"

A look of sorrow appeared on Everett's face. "Missy fought them injecting her, and they threw her back on the bed—made her hit her head on that railing. The doctors say she has a bad concussion, and there's a possibility of brain damage. There was a lot of bleeding. The woman that was posing as Somers tried to inject Matthew too, but Rush saved him. During their fight, her accomplice took a P-90 out and shot up the infirmary. Two dead, twelve serious injuries, and several minor injuries. They said Missy had some seizures too, and they won't know what kind of damage there is until she wakes up.

"Oh my God! Sir, I am so sorry. I tried…I tried to help her. He must have hit me."

"I know you did. It's okay."

TJ was silent for a moment trying to comprehend everything. Then she said, "Wait a minute. You said the woman posing at Dr. Somers."

"Yeah, apparently there was some kind of IOA plot to get Missy and the babies out of the way so they could steal the Destiny. But, when I had you guys start watching them, they decided to try and kill them instead. Her real sister is here now."

"Oh no!" She looked around frantically. "Where's Mac?

"Mac was hurt." He motioned to a bed that was two beds down from where they were. "They found him in the hallway with a bullet wound in his chest."

Tears started pouring down her face, and she sat up on the bed. She reached out her arm to him. "Help me, please."

Everett looked around uncertainly. "TJ, you shouldn't be getting up."

The medic gave him a pleading look. "Please, Sir. Would you let anyone keep you from Melissa?"

Sadly smiling at her, he said, "That's not fair, but you're right—I wouldn't." He helped her out of the bed and walked with her over to Mac's bed where he found a chair and helped her sit down.

They watched his unconscious body for a moment. TJ then asked, "How did the surgery go? Did the bullet nick any vital organs?"

A voice came from behind them. It was Dr. Giovanni who said, "I was able to repair all the damage. He's going to be fine." She raised her eyebrows. "What are you doing out of bed?"

TJ and Ev looked at her guiltily as TJ replied, "I wanted to sit with him." She pointed to Mac. "I don't know if you figured it out, but he's my baby's father."

Stacia put her hand on TJ's shoulder. "I did, and you may sit with him. Just make sure someone's helping you back to your bed when you get tired."

"All right. Thank you."

"You're welcome." The doctor gazed at Everett. "May I speak with you, Colonel?"

"Sure," said Ev. They walked back over to Missy's bed. "What's going on?"

She motioned to Dr. Brightman who was working on a patient a few beds down. "I believe she is beginning to suspect something with regard to your mate's medical treatment. I know you haven't had a chance to speak of your true origins with anyone. It would be helpful though if one of your physicians knew so we could veto any treatment that might be detrimental."

Everett stared at the other doctor for a long moment before speaking out loud. "She's been pretty level-headed when she's come here. That's fine—as long as she doesn't tell anyone else."

"All right." She started to leave, but stopped when she saw him act like he wanted to ask another question. "What is it?"

"I just wanted to know. How is Missy really doing?"

Stacia gazed over at Melissa's bed before answering. "About as well as can be expected. She's not in any pain, but we really won't know anything else until she wakes up."

A haunted expression came over Everett's face. "I understand."

Giving him a sympathetic look, the doctor told him, "We have special doctors on Altera that help people with brain damage reach the fullest potential they can. I know you haven't decided about coming with us yet, but the benefits to your mate would be tremendous."

"Actually, can you keep a secret?"

"Sure."

After what happened today, I know I can't protect them on Earth. When Missy wakes up, if she can understand, I'm gonna tell her I want us to go with you."

Nodding her head approvingly, Dr. Giovanni said, "I think that is very wise, and I will not speak of it again until you are ready."

"Thank you." Dr. Giovanni walked off to speak with Dr. Brightman while Everett went to sit back in the chair next to Missy's bed. He took her hand in his. "Missy, all I want is to see your eyes open. I promise you, I will take care of you and our babies. I love you." He laid his head down trying to rest amidst all of the chaos. A few hours later, Ev was startled by the touch of a hand on his shoulder. He turned around to see four figures looking at him. "What's going on?"

Sergeant Greer replied, "We caught them, Sir. Cornered the fake Somers and Ziegler near the bridge. They're in custody now—a little roughed up—but they're in custody."

Ev nodded with satisfaction. "Thank you, Sergeant." He started to get up. "I want to go see them."

Placing his hand on his shoulder, General O'Neill said, "Can't let you do that, Colonel."

The other man faced him determinedly. "And why not? What those two have done has more than likely caused my wife to have brain damage. And their accomplice killed and hurt many of our friends. Did you know that one of the people killed was pregnant?"

A sad expression came over O'Neill's face. "No, I didn't."

"Yeah, Sergeant Baker's baby was gonna be a playmate for Katie and Matthew. She and Missy already had it set up. They were gonna share everything." He gazed back at his wife. "Missy is gonna be devastated."

"I can't begin to tell you how sorry I am, Everett. Today has been a real tragedy, but I still can't let you see the prisoners."

Commander Aurelius, who was standing next to O'Neill, said, "General, you have them housed on my ship. If Colonel Young wishes to see them, he may. In our culture, family members have the right of vengeance."

Glancing over at him, Jack said, "Please don't, Commander. It will just make my job more difficult."

"Enough!" yelled the woman behind them. "All of you are focused on the wrong thing."

Gazing past the other men to see who the woman was Everett said to O'Neill, "I am guessing that is the real Patricia."

"It is," said Jack.

Patti, tears pouring down her face, said, "Everett, they told me someone with my face hurt Missy and tried to hurt her baby. You can't begin to know what that is doing to me. I was kidnapped from my house. Cameron had picked me up from work, and I wanted to go by the house to pick up the stuff I had bought. They knocked me out and took me somewhere else. Kept me prisoner for two days. Then they let me go. Said it wouldn't matter because Missy and the children were dead. I went home and found Mike, and he ran me up to the mountain. It took forever, but Teal'c and Vala were finally able to persuade General Landry to have blood work done after telling him about the mimic device. Once the results were back, Teal'c brought me here." She gazed at her sister. "That head injury looks bad. What is her prognosis?"

"They have her sedated and are giving her pain meds," replied Ev. "We really won't know the extent of the damage until she wakes up."

Walking up and touching her sister's hand, Patti then turned back to him and said, with a sorrowful expression on her face, "More than likely, she will need to be institutionalized; at least for a while so she can relearn some basic skills. And she will probably never be able to do what she did at the mountain again."

Everett faced her fiercely. "No! I will take care of my wife and children. She doesn't need to go anywhere."

Jack touched his shoulder. "Everett, she didn't mean that. You'll be involved with every step of the process. And when Missy's better able to manage, you can find a house. You told me earlier you wanted to retire. Between your retirement pay and the disability pay I'll make sure Missy gets, none of you will want for a thing. It's the least I can do. I promised her dad."

The other man thought for a long moment and then decided that it was not the right time for their secret to come out. "Well, first, she has to wake up."

"You're right. We'll keep in touch." He and the others left the infirmary leaving Ev alone with his thoughts once more.