Thanks for the reviews.
See chapter 1 for Disclaimer.
AN: I want to apologize to those who read the earlier post of this chapter. I posted the working copy and not the final one. Sorry if some of it didn't make sense… and Opps is right, my grammar and punctuation sucked… That's what I get for posting in a hurry.
Chapter 3
The phone rang three times before it was gruffly answered. "I have only been home for an hour. This sure as hell better be an emergency or heads are going to roll."
At first he heard nothing but then he could hear sobbing, and then someone clearing their throat. Pulling the cell away from his ear, he looked to see who was calling him at this time of night. He was shocked to see the name Fraiser, Janet E. home. Quickly, he returned the cell to his ear. "Doc, is that you?" No response. Speaking louder, he called, "Doc! Talk to me, Doc." He heard a throat being cleared again before he heard a very shaky voice. "It's Carter… Sir."
Immediately, General Jonathan "Jack" O'Neill heart sunk for he could count on one hand the number of times that he had heard his former 2IC and friend cry and he'd still have fingers left over. Reaching over, he shook his wife Sarah awake. After Carter and Fraiser marriage, he had gotten to thinking about the life he had once had. On Charlie's birthday, he had run into her ex-wife while visiting his graveside. They began to really talk that day, and over the next week they talked several times. Finally, he gathered up enough courage and asked her out to dinner. She shocked him beyond belief when she accepted. The rest, as they say, is history. Last year on their former anniversary, they snuck off to Vegas for the weekend and remarried.
Sara had awoken completely when heard the tone in his voice, after he shook her shoulder. Their eyes connected, and he whispered to her: "Call the base and tell Major Wilcox Code Blue. Carter-Fraiser home. Send the troops ASAP. Proceed with caution." Nodding her understanding, Sarah quickly grabbed her robe and ran out of the room to use the landline phone.
"Sir, are you there?" snapped his attention back to the phone call.
"I'm here, Carter. Report," he ordered. He knew from experience that he had to keep her talking. He also heard the sobbing continuing in the background and it sounded distinctively like Dr. Fraiser. What the hell happened over there!?!
When she didn't answered, he became even more worried… scared even. Feeling Sarah's touch, he looked up at her. She handed him a pair of sweats and some of socks. She had already slipped on her own clothes. One-handed he began to dress as he yelled into the phone, "Carter! Report!"
His loud voice seemed to get through to her for she finally answered him. "Yes, Sir. One intruder. Intruder secured. Dr. Fraiser assaulted, but secure. Am unarmed. Need back-up and ambulance ASAP. Front door is secure. Spare key in usual place, Sir."
"Hang in there, Carter. Are you able to get to your backup weapon to protect yourself from any other possible intruders?" He asked as he slipped on his shoes. Coming down the stairs he found Sarah waiting for him. She handed him his jacket and truck keys. As he started out the door, he found that she was following close behind.
Stopping to protest taking her into an unknown situation, she grabbed his free arm, and pulled him towards the truck after snatching the keys out of his hands. "I'll drive, and stay in the truck until you clear it, but they are my friend, too, Jack. Besides, you may need me." After Jack had left her and their marriage behind, Sarah had went back to school and became a registered nurse. Nowadays, she worked at the Academy Hospital in the ER trauma unit.
He returned his attention to his cell for he knew it was pointless to argue with this stubborn woman when she drew a line in the sand. And she had definitely drawn that line about this situation.
He turned his attention back to the cell when he heard his former 2IC speaking again.
"Sir, my backup is in the bedroom… I can't go back in there at this time."
Her voice stilled sounded extremely shaky to him. For her to still be this on edge told him more about her state of mind than anything she might say. Add to that how upset Fraiser was, and he knew his officers were in trouble… major trouble He needed to get there and fast, damnit.
Suddenly, Sarah cell rang. After listening briefly, she said, "I'll inform him." She then disconnected the call. Looking at her while raising his right eyebrow, she told him, "That was Sergeant Harriman. SG-1, SG-2, SG-3, and SG-15, along with Dr. Franklin, Captain Walker, and two ambulances have been dispatched. ETA 15 minutes."
Once again turning back to the cell in his hand, Jack told Sam, "Carter, help's on the way. The team is 15 minutes out, and so am I. Hang in there."
He heard what he thought was a slight chuckle, before hearing, "Is that an order, Sir?"
"Yeahsureyoubetcha," he shot back. "Carter, you told me about the Doc… how are you?"
"I'm fine, Sir." She paused. "Sir, this is a CF of the highest order, Sir."
Jack was shocked at what he was hearing. Since when did Carter use such language as cluster fuck… But if she is using it, then this must be a nightmare from hell.
"Sir, you are probably going to need to practice that diplomacy Sarah has been trying to teach you."
Knowing that they were talking over unsecure lines, he immediately got what she was trying to hint at, and his stomach hit the floor. Looking at Sarah, he covered the cell before saying, "Floor it! We need to get there before the local LEO's (law enforcement officers)." He was now really glad that Walter had the forethought to sent SG-15. They were the SGC's version of Crime Scene Investigators. There was a coroner on the team as well.
Moments later, they came to a screeching halt outside of the Carter-Fraiser home. Turning to Sarah, she spoke before he could. "I'll stay right here. Call if you need me. Just take care of them, Jack."
Jack could see how worried Sara was about Sam and the Doc. Nodding, he leaned over and ghosted a kiss on her cheek before he climbed out of the vehicle. After slamming the door closed, he told his former 2IC over the cell, "Carter, we're here. Coming in now."
"Rodger that, Sir," he faintly heard before the line went dead, and he tucked his cell in his back pocket. Man, she is really worrying me, Jack thought. He was concerned that she was going farther into shock. He knew he needed to get in there and he needed to get in there yesterday.
As he reached the bottom of the front steps, he bent over and picked up a nearby rock. With a quick twist, it opened and he removed the door key inside. As he dropped the rock back to the ground, he heard squealing tires. Looking over his shoulder, Jack saw his teams quickly disembarking from their vehicles. After he signaled SG-2 to check the perimeter, and SG-3 to secure the front, he signaled SG-15 and the medical team to wait out front while they secured the site.
Turning back to SG-1, who were gathered near him, he brought them up to speed. "SG-1, you're with me. Carter says that the intruder is secure. Janet has been attacked, but safe at the moment. She says she is okay, but she sure doesn't sound like it," he informed them before motioning to Teal'c, Daniel, Cam, and Vala to follow him. After opening the front door, each one of them drew their weapons, quickly moved into the foyer, and then spread out. Sam and Janet were quickly located in the living room. Leaving Daniel there, he and Teal'c climbed the stairs while Cam and Vala searched the rest of first floor. Within minutes of entering the house, they located the scene of the crime, and Jack found out why Carter had told him that he would need to "practice his diplomacy". Teal'c checked the body for a pulse and shook his head, thus indicating that the asshole was in fact dead.
When Teal'c reached for the nearby gun to secure it, Jack quickly stopped him. "Hold up, Big Guy."
Teal'c halted his movement, but looked at his friend and fellow soldier questioningly.
After securing his weapon, Jack explained. "Since the dead asshole's a cop, this will have to be investigated thoroughly and completely - beyond any normal routine - or we will be accused of a cover-up. So, we have to leave the scene as is for SG-15. Now, I understand why Sam told me she couldn't get to her backup weapon." He knew she would have wanted to leave the scene as intact as possible and returning for her weapon after leaving said scene could be construed by some that she was trying to tamper with evidence. Motioning to Teal'c to follow him, he said, "Let get back and check on them. Fraiser looks awful, and Carter doesn't look much better. I want to get both of them medical attention ASAP."
Teal'c nodded his agreement. As they neared the bottom of the stairs, his radio came alive. "SG-2 to General O'Neill. Come in, O'Neill."
"Go ahead, Dixon," Jack answered.
"The lock on the gate in the back fence had been jimmied open. Tracks lead to a window on the back side of the house. If I remember correctly it's their den. There is evidence that the alarm has been circumvented; looks like a profession job," the leader of SG-2 reported.
"Rodger that, Dixon," Jack replied. "Make sure no one touches anything and if you have already, document who touched what. Understand?" He ordered.
"Rodger that," he answered. "Over and out."
Switching his focus, he moved on to the next task. "SG-15, Major Thompson, come in."
"Rodger, General," came Major Kathryn "Katie" Thompson reply.
"Scene is secure. Bring in your team as well as the medical team. SG-2 and 3 maintain the perimeter. Notify me immediate when the local LEO's arrive." And he stressed the when, for he knew it would be a 'when' not an 'if'.
"Roger" came multiple replies.
Walking in the living room he surveyed his people. Daniel and Cam were shifting from one foot to the other while trying to look anywhere but the couch that held their friends. Equal parts anger and concern were easily noticeable from them. Vala was quietly kneeling beside the couple, and faced away from him. Teal'c was stoically looking at the floor. Outsiders who looked at the big man would think that he was just an emotionless alien, but those, who knew him well and had fought at his side, would know differently. Jack could see that he was barely in control of the rage that seemed to fill his entire being.
From what he could see, Dr. Fraiser seemed completely out of it and was quietly sobbing uncontrollably. Carter was sitting on the couch almost like she was at attention, while tightly cradling the petite doctor against her chest. Each breath seemed to be drawn and released under her absolute control… as if she was holding back the world with the rhythm and depth of each. From the quick glance he received from Sam, the General was shocked at the raw pain in her eyes… a pain he had never seen from her before no matter the battles they fought, or the people they had lost. Now, he even more worried than he had been before. What the hell happened here? It must have been hell, he thought.
"Sam?" Vala quietly called. It wasn't the first time that she had called her friends name, but she did get the say reply: nothing. She knew from past experiences that she probably shouldn't do it, but she could no longer remain silent while doing nothing but stare at her friends while they were apparently suffering so much. It just wasn't in her. So, she hesitantly reached out to touch Sam's nearest leg, while hoping to get some kind of response from her friend. However, Sam shook her head violently, while tightening her grip on the petite woman. When she then looked back at General O'Neill, gone was the teasing vixen. Sadness for her friends and barely controlled rage was easily seen however.
Before Jack could say anything, he heard multiple footsteps of those entering the house. Returning to the foyer, he began issuing orders. "Major Thompson, there's a DB in an upstairs bedroom… last door on the right. Also, Colonel Dixon believes he found the entry point… a window in the den… that is the last door on the right past the kitchen. Process it all, people. I recognized the DB and it is one Detective Peter Shanahan of the Denver PD." He heard someone suck in a deep breath before he continued. "So do what you do best: be thorough; dot the I's and cross the T's… just like you always do. Understood?"
"Rodger that, General," Major Rodgers replied to his order before turning to her team. "You heard the General. Doc Roberts, you and Timmons take the body. Smith and Jones you have the perimeter. Check in with Colonel Dixon and see where they have been and what they have touched. Parker, you're with me. We'll start in the bedroom, and work our way throughout the house to the den. Anyone gets done before us, they can help us with that."
After receiving several nods, the team split up and headed for their assigned posts.
In the meantime, Jack had turned to Doctor Althea Franklin, Captain Abby Walker, and his wife. When he raised his eyebrow, Sara simply smiled at him sweetly. Sighing, he turned back to those he could order. Grimacing, he filled them in on the situation. "Doc Franklin; Captain Walker, from what Colonel Carter told me they have both been assaulted physically, and if I understood what Carter tried to tell me on the phone they weren't sexually, but you will need to check that out to be sure. They're here in the living room." And with that, he pointed towards the room before leading them and his wife that direction.
The room was much too crowded, and her patients looked haggard, and emotionally stress to the point of breaking. Dr. Franklin quickly settled on her plan of action. "SG-1, I'm going to need all of you to step out for awhile so that I can examine my patients." She schooled her features not to react to the state of her patients or friends, for she didn't need them adding any more stress on her boss or her wife.
All of them stared at the young doctor as if they were going to balk at her orders until they saw a slight nod from General O'Neill, as he agreed with Dr. Franklin. Their shoulders sagged in defeat and the fight left them as they slowly began to leave. Teal'c stopped in front of the tall, African-American woman and though he spoke softly, she felt the intent of his words. "Doctor, protect them well. I will be standing guard outside this door. Call if they or you need me." He maintained his stare, and its intensity.
Reaching out and gripping his arm, she tried to reassure him. "I promise, Teal'c. They are safe in my hands, but I will call if that were to change."
The tall man nodded and bowed slightly before he turned and left the room without another word.
Meanwhile, Vala leaned forwarded and whispered something quietly to Colonel Carter. She didn't make a move to leave until she got a slight nod from the bruised and battered blonde.
Looking over her shoulder, the young doctor saw that the General was the only one that remained. Stepping closer, Althea lowered her voice before she spoke. "General, I am going to have to ask you to leave as well. I am sure you don't - and they don't - want you to see them in the buff." She raised her right eyebrow in question as she finished speaking.
At first he looked as if he was about to protest until he saw his wife nod in agreement with the young doctor. He knew they were right but he didn't like leaving his friends alone. Sighing, he nodded his agreement. "Fine. But you have to know I need to speak to them as soon as possible. I need to know what to tell the local LEO's. I'm going to have call the Chief of Police as soon as I step out of this house."
"Understood, General," she acknowledged, and truly she did understand his situation, but he must understand hers as well. "I should warn you it will probably not be until after I get them back to the base and stabilized before you can speak to them about the incident."
Again, it looked as if he was going to protest, but after taking in the stubborn stance and determined look on the young doctor's face, Jack realized Captain Franklin had been taking lessons from Fraiser in the intimidating department. He then thought about what was missing from this scene… or who. Looking at her sternly, he urgently asked, "Franklin, there is one question they have to answer and they have to answer it now: where's Cassie? We didn't find her when we cleared the house; so, where is she?" He was sure she was at one of her friend's homes for the night, but he had to know for sure. And if that was situation, he needed to get to her before she heard about this from someone else, or worse the news.
Althea realized that the General was right. Where was Cassie? Stepping over to the couch, she crouched down. "Sam…" she softly called. When she reached out to touch her as Vala had tried to do, the look on the Colonel's face stopped her. She could easily see that shock, pain, and anger were fully setting in for this traumatized woman and the adrenalin was wearing off. Maintaining eye contact, she asked in a calm tone, "Sam, where is Cassie?"
It seemed to take a few moments before the question finally sunk in. Althea could tell when it did for Sam's eyes quickly rose and she made eye contact with General O'Neill before she spoke. "Sir… you need to get to Cassie before she hears about this. She is spending the weekend at the Morrisons'. Tell her that we are okay, and that her mom and I are so proud of her, and that she is very brave, Sir."
Jack recognized the name. Fran and Paul Morrison with their kids Janice and Emily were frequent visitors at the Carter-Fraiser home. If he remembered correctly, Fran taught high school Home Ec; Paul was a professor at the Academy and taught Military History. "I'll take care of it, Carter. Now, let the Doc check you and the Doc both out."
"Yes, Sir," she replied.
After stepping out into the foyer, he closed the pocket doors behind him, and was met by the rest of SG-1, who gathered around him. They looked liked they wanted answers and they wanted them now… unfortunately, he had damn few. One way or the other, controlled rage permeated each of them, and he knew he needed to get them focused on other things while they waited for those said answers. Turning to Daniel, he asked, "Do you know where the Morrisons' live?"
It took only a moment for it to dawn on Daniel why Jack was asking. "Cassie…" he whispered. He felt ashamed that he had been so focused on Sam and Janet that the teenager hadn't even crossed his mind.
Seeing the look on the young man's face, Vala quickly moved closer and gently hugged him, for she really hated it when she saw Daniel beating himself up over something. And it happened more often than it should in her opinion. As much as she teased him, Vala had very real and very deep feelings for the young archeologist.
Staring at her intently, Daniel tried to read her intent. After seeing only concern and no ulterior motive behind the gesture, he didn't push her away. Instead, he accepted the comfort she was offering. Looking back at Jack, he nodded once.
Sighing in relief for he had no idea where they lived, Jack ordered, "Take Vala with you, and go get her. Take her back to the base. She can meet up with her moms there."
Daniel nodded his acceptance of the assignment. Reaching out to grab his arm as he passed, Jack told him, "Sam wanted you to pass on a message…"
Before he could continue, Vala interrupted. "She wants us to tell her that they are okay, that they are proud of her, and that she is very brave. Right?"
A look of shock crossed the General's face, as he nodded. "How'd you know?"
"The last time Sam was hurt and in the infirmary, all of you were tied up directing the extraction of the rest of the teams. She asked me to meet Cassie at the front gate and reassure her. Those were her exact words," she said with a shy smile.
Jack chuckled for a moment while nodding his understanding. "Sounds good. See you guys back at base."
"See you soon, Jack," Daniel said before they walked through the front door.
Turning to Teal'c, he asked, "Guard duty?"
The tall man bowed his head in answer.
"Need a chair, T?" Jack asked.
"Not at the moment, O'Neill," he replied.
"Call if you change your mind," Jack instructed.
"Yes, O'Neill." Teal'c then returned to standing guard at the door while striking his very best intimidating stance. It was sure to make anyone think twice before attempting to enter the room that he guarded.
"Mitchell, you're with me," the older man told him before turning and walking out the door.
"On your six, Sir." Mitchell fell in step behind his commanding officer. He was worried sick about his friends. From what he could see they had taken a hell of a beating, but then he overheard the General say that there was a dead body in their bedroom so he guessed they came out on top.
Looking out over the front yard, O'Neill could see that the neighbors' lights were beginning to come on, and saw a few of the curtains flutter back and forth as if someone was looking out. He knew they were definitely drawing unwanted attention, and attention that would increase with the rising sun. Sighing, he turned his thoughts back to what he needed to do next. Keying his radio, he called, "Dixon; Ferretti, meet me on the front porch."
In less than a minute his fellow officers and old friends joined him and Mitchell on the porch. It was time to fill them in on what he did know. "Gentleman, this information is on the QT and we need to keep it that way. Understood?" He received a nod from each of them before continuing. "Okay. Now some of this information Mitchell already knows, but I doubt that you, Dave, or you, Mac, know about it. For years, Sam's brother Mark has not accepted the fact that she's gay. Every chance he's gotten, Mark has tried to set her up with some friend of his," he said with disgusted. "Although embarrassed beyond belief, she has firmly turned each of those guys down as soon as they approached her. A couple weeks before Sam and Janet's wedding, Sam was approach by another potential 'date' while they were out at O'Malley's. His name Pete Shanahan. He had transferred from the San Diego PD to the Denver PD to take a position as a detective in their Major Crimes Division. When she tried to turn him down, he didn't take the hint. When she was firmer with him, he still didn't get it. When he grabbed her arm and then looked around the bar to see everyone watching him, he finally got the hint, and backed off… or so Sam thought.
"The next day, Dave here, who witnessed his actions, reported it to me. That same day Colonel Davis called and informed me that someone from the FBI had tried to run an in-depth background check on Carter. Needless to say an investigation was started, and it was discovered that a college friend of Detective Shanahan had done it as a favor. When confronted by his Chief of Police, he implied that he and Sam were dating, and that he just wanted to know what his future wife really did for a living. The Chief was shocked when I informed him that was funny since in less than ten days Colonel Carter was marrying Dr. Janet Fraiser. The Chief promised to set the record straight with Shanahan and warn him off. As far as I know, neither Sam nor Janet's had any contact with him or her brother since then.
"When I received a call from Carter tonight, it took awhile to get anything out of her. Meanwhile, Walter sent you guys out on my orders. When we entered the house, we found Carter and Fraiser on the living room couch, and both look like they've had the hell beat out of them. The Doc's face is black and blue, and all swollen with both lips split. Carter's face is really red like someone has slapped her really, really hard. She also has a split lip. I saw right the side of her head and it looked bloody. In their bedroom there is a hole in wall near the door like from a bullet strike, and a dead body with a K-bar sticking out of the chest. And before you ask, yes, it's Shanahan." That was the gist of it. He didn't share his opinion on what else he saw. Unless he was really guessing wrong, one of them had been tied spread-eagle on the bed and the other had been tied to a nearby chair.
By the time he was finished speaking all three men were breathing heavily while clinching and un-clinching their fists. He saw fire raging in their eyes. Mac Ferretti spoke first. "That son-of-bitch had better be glad he is dead… I'm afraid a knife to the chest was way too easy," he said venomously.
"What he said," Dixon growled in disgusted.
"So, you can see that this is going to get… messy. I'm heading back to the Mountain. I need call first Hammond and then Chiefs Nelson and Johnson." He grimaced as he said that. He would rather face a whole mothership full of Jaffa than have to make those three calls. But now that he was the "man" he'd have to just grin and bare it. Oh well, back to the business at hand. "Mitchell, you see to the safe transportation of Carter and Fraiser. Dixon, you make sure that Major Thompson's investigation here is completed without any outside interruption. Get them whatever they need."
Before continuing he looked around and was a little surprised that none of the local cops had showed up. "Ferretti, you are on 'looky loo' patrol. Maintain order. If the local LEO's ever show up, direct them to call their boss first before they start raising hell with you. If possible, see if they will help you with crowd control afterwards. When the sun comes up, I'm afraid things are going to get messy out here and quick." After checking his watch, he added, "Hopefully, Thompson will have her preliminary work done by dawn." Motioning to the street, he continued. "Once the ambulances leave, move the trucks so that they aren't blocking the street."
He got "understood" in stereo, before they split up and returned to their teams. Sticking his head through the door, Jack told Teal'c, "T, tell my wife that I took the truck. She'll have to get a ride from someone else."
"Understood, O'Neill."
Nodding, Jack looked once more at the closed doors before he about-faced, and left his friends' house.
TBC…
That's it for now… Please review