- Thanks for the reviews.

- Thanks for the concerns. I have had migraines for years and at one I have one a year that I have to wait out. No amount of pain meds make it go away.

- I apologize ahead of time for the medical jargon. I nurse friend helped me with it but all typos or poor translation of her advice is mine.

- Now on with the show:

Chapter 5

Several hours later, General O'Neill, SG-1, and Cassie met up outside of the infirmary. Together, they waited impatiently for Janet's protégé to give them an update. The litter of coffee cups indicated how long some of them had been waiting. Many coworkers and fellow soldiers stopped by to check-up on the pair, and express their concern and well wishes.

While waiting, O'Neill thought back over how he had spent his last few hours. He had hoped this situation didn't turn into the CF that Carter predicted, but so far she seemed to be right on target… as usual, damnit. He had spent hours on the phone talking first with General Hammond, and then Chiefs Nelson and Johnson. Needless to say, they were all outrage. Their "frustration"… to say the least… filled the airways when he couldn't explain in any detail as to what the hell had happened at the Carter and Fraiser's. But as he told them – repeatedly – neither woman was in any shape to explain anything to anyone. Furthermore, their attending physician backed him 100% in that opinion. He explained that Dr. Franklin had told him in no uncertain terms that no one would be allowed near them until she had completed their exams, and felt that they were stable enough for any type of questioning. He informed each of them that he hoped to have some answers for them by this afternoon, but to not hold their breath.

No matter how much he hated it, O'Neill had to broach the subject of jurisdiction. He really hated the fact that he would have to share the investigation at all, but since it had taken place off base he knew that if Chief Johnson or Chief Nelson wanted to push the issue, at the very least they could legally take over the entire investigation, and at the very worst they could insist, once they were stable, that Sam and Janet be transported to a local Denver Hospital for intense questioning by "their people"... and he didn't know or trust "their people". So, when he tried to discuss jurisdiction of the situation, another shouting match ensued.

O'Neill – along with Walter's help - had finally conference all phone calls together so they could come to some kind of understanding… after all the shouting and threat-making ceased. His - and ultimately Hammond's - greatest concern was that someone from Shanahan's life would try to somehow screw over Carter or Fraiser, and ultimately the Air Force over a situation not of their making. The Police Chiefs were concerned that if they let the Air Force anywhere near the case that they would be the ones accused of participating in a cover-up… especially since it was an election year.

After nearly an hour of "debate" the Chiefs suddenly reversed themselves and became receptive to most of his and Hammond's suggestions. He suspected that someone or several someones had been working behind the scenes of the two Police Departments and they had worked out some kind of deal. He was also sure they had decided to give him enough rope, and then wait to see if he hung himself with it. That way, any accusations of a cover-up would first come his – and the Air Force's – way.

However, O'Neill was okay with that for he had a secret weapon: Major Kathryn Thompson and her team. Time and experience had taught anyone that had dealt with her in the past that Major Thompson integrity would never allow her to lead a cover-up even if she were ordered to do so. From the very beginning, Major Thompson's high moral standards had gotten her into trouble with more than one CO, who had wanted her to see a situation the "CO's way" and not the "evidence's way". However, for then Major General Hammond, she was just who he was looking for after the SGC became fully operational. In dealing with more than one off-world sticky situation, her people-personality, her integrity, and her determination to find the truth had helped to not only find the real truth, but also helped to establish the SGC's reputation for being a tough but fair organization. She had even gained the respect of the Tollan, and the Tok'ra for her investigative skill and insight. Of course, the NID and Maybourne hated her guts.

Jack grinned as he thought about Thompson's father, for she was just like him. Brigadier General Ryan Thompson had taught at the Academy during Jack's pleeb year. One thing he drilled into the head's of each of his students: just because someone can do a thing, they must always remember to consider should they do a thing. More than once that piece of advice kept him from stepping over the line. It was one of the things he had tried to share with Daniel and Sam… but in his own way. Over the years, he thought they finally got it. It was his strong integrity and vast intellect O'Neill saw when he thought about Major Thompson.

Finally everyone agreed that a task force would be established. Since she had the most years in the field, Major Thompson would be leading the investigation. Since SG-15 had already started, they would complete the processing of Sam and Janet's house, and surrounding property, as well as Shanahan's car, which the local LEO's had discovered just a block over from the house. The Colorado Springs Chief Coroner Dr. Tina Patterson, and the SGC's Coroner Dr. Roberts, would perform the autopsy together that afternoon. Chief Johnson assigned Lt. Donald Howell, from the Denver IA (Internal Affairs) Division, to check out Shanahan's home, and anything work-related. Chief Nelson had already detailed several squads to the scene for crowd control, and a couple of detectives to interview the neighbors.

As O'Neill feared, the situation had hit the local morning news shows, and reporters had swarmed both the Carter-Fraiser house and outside of the Complex. They would have easily swamped SG-2 and 3 without the local LEO's help. Colonel Davis, via the Prometheus' beaming technology, had arrived a few hours ago and was coordinating any and all press releases with the two Police Departments.

Tomorrow, everyone involved were scheduled meet at 0700 here at Cheyenne Mountain. After comparing evidence and preliminary interviews, he was hopeful for Carter's and Fraiser's sake that they could begin to put a quick end to this sorry mess.

Damnit, where the hell is Franklin? Just as O'Neill was ready to storm the infirmary for answers, Dr. Franklin stepped through the doors.

Rubbing her face for a moment, the young doctor sighed. After this night her heart was very bruised, and her soul bled for her friends. Right now she just wanted a glass of wine and a long soak in her tub. But that would have to wait. Straightening her shoulder, she looked up to meet General O'Neill's eyes, and nodded her head towards Cassie as if to ask if she should be talking in from of the young girl.

General O'Neill looked at Cassie. After taking in the determined look on her face – Janet may have not give birth to her but the kid sure acted and reacted like her - he deeply sighed before stepping over to Cassie and gathering her into his arms. Turning back to face the doctor, he nodded slightly to continue.

Returning the nod, she took a deep breath before she began. "Sir, to put it bluntly, he beat the hell out of them. They are very lucky to be alive... Colonel Carter has a hairline fracture of the occipital bone…" at their blank looks she clarified. Moving to the nearest person, who happened to Vala, she spun her around and illustrated on the back of her head where she was talking about. "She is lucky that so far that she has no bleeding from the blow. She has a broken cheekbone on the right side. If it remains stable, she won't have to have surgery on it. She has a moderate concussion, so she is nauseated, dizzy, and seeing double at the moment. Her right hand is badly bruised and I used butterfly strips to close the lacerations there. Lastly, her abdomen is deeply bruised, and her liver has taken a beating. At the moment, the scans show only a deep bruise. With time and rest, she should recover complete."

Taking another deep breath, she began to update them about Dr. Fraiser. "As for Dr. Fraiser, she had a moderate concussion, a lacerated lip that I had to put a dozen stitches in, three cracked ribs, and a deeply bruised abdomen. On her abdominal MRI we saw a small pooling of blood and her spleen appears to have been leaking earlier, but has stop on it own… for now. Her blood count is stable; so, we're going to keep a close eye on her pain level and blood count, and wait. The next twenty-four hours is going to be critical to determine if it is going to remain stable." She paused as she wondered if she should tell them the rest.

"So, if she makes it through the next 24, she is going to then be okay, right?" O'Neill asked impatiently.

Deciding to go with the whole truth, Althea began to explain. "Yes and no." She could see that her commanding officer was just about to explode and hurried to explain it to him. "Let me explain. When blood clots, a scab forms, and hardens. Then the body begins to heal and breaks down the scab so it can be reabsorbed into the body. Well then, there is a weak point when it is not completely heal and not completely absorbed. At that point it is possible for the area to begin to bleed again… and usually it is quite severely when it does. It happens rarely but it is possible and with the damage she has suffered, it increases that possibility. So, yes, if everything looks good and remains stable over the next twenty-four hours, and no, for we have to wait seven to ten days to be 100% sure." Looking around, she asked, "Does that make sense?"

O'Neill grimaced like he did when Daniel or Carter were talking in techno-babbleeze. Seeing the scared look on his niece's face, he smiled brightly. "Yeah, I think I get you," O'Neill said as he hugged Cassie tightly as she fought to keep her emotions under control. "Your moms are going to be just fine, kiddo," he whispered into her ear. Looking back at Franklin he asked, "When can we see them?"

"Right now, they are getting cleaned up. Once Abby is done with them, you can come back two at a time to see them for a few minutes, and then they need to rest. Understood?" She stressed. She knew how SG-1 was when one of them were in the infirmary. The doctor knew she was fighting a losing battle but she still had to try.

Turning to Cassie, she asked, "Does your moms have keep pajamas in their quarters?"

Cassie was trying so hard to be brave, but after waiting so long to find out how they were doing, she was having such a hard time staying that way. But she knew she had to keep up that brave front for her mom and for Sam. With Dr. Franklin's question, it gave her something to do, and a little time alone with her tears. Nodding, she told her, "Yeah, they do. Want me to go get them some?"

"I think they would really appreciate that. We all know how much the backdoor air-conditioning is appreciated," she chuckled and everyone joined in. "Why don't you go get them some. By the time you get back, they should be ready for them, and you." She added a smile for she could see that the young woman was struggling and needed a little break from everyone.

"Come on, Cassie. I'll go with you," Daniel told her after draping his arm around her shoulders.

Of all of her 'uncle's', Daniel would be the one who would understand her tears. She nodded her agreement. "Be back in a minute," she told everyone. Soon, they were around the corner.

Turning back to the others gathered there Althea added what she didn't want to say inform of the young teen. "Guys, I hate to say this but it must be said. I know how you like for at least one of you stay at their bedside until they are in the clear. However, in this case, they may be real skittish around you simple because you are male, especially Janet. If they show any symptoms at all, I will ask you to leave. Fight me, and I will call a few Marines that I know to escort you out. They will be posted to keep you out… Understood?" She stress as she stared each of them in the eye until they nodded and looked away. "Good. General O'Neill, I think you should go first, and be the one to go in with Cassie."

"Agreed," he told her. As she started to walk back towards the infirmary, he followed her. Once through the doors, he tapped her shoulder.

"Yes, Sir?" she asked.

"I'm not trying to put pressure on you to debrief them, but you should know I am getting it from both the Pentagon, and Local PDs. They all want answers, yesterday… if you know what I mean?"

"Yes, Sir, I understand. If they stay stable, you may be able to do a preliminary interview this afternoon. But I will warn you that they will still be receiving pain medications and sedation. I assume it will be you and Major Thompson, Sir?"

After thinking for a moment, he nodded. "Yeah, the two of us and a camera… to record it for posterity."

"I'll check in with you around 1400, and let you know if we are a go at that time, Sir," Althea suggested.

"Roger that, Doctor," he told her. Biting the bullet, he asked, "Were they…" he struggled to ask the question that no man wanted to have to ask.

"No, Sir, I don't believe they were. Janet came close… damn close," she said angrily. "You'll find out what I mean when you interview them, Sir." Struggling with her temper, Althea closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths before reopening them. She began to apologize, "Sorry, Sir…"

Reaching out he rested his hand on her arm. "No, Doc… Al… you have nothing to apologize for. One of the hardest things to do is to take care of a friend, a colleague, or a mentor. For you it is all three today. It's okay to feel your anger as long as it doesn't interfere with your work… Understand?"

Slowly, she nodded her understanding. Since joining the Air Force, she had always showed respect to her Commanding Officer as she had for any superior officers, but had always wondered about the hero worship so many on this base had for General O'Neill. There were people on this base that would die for him… no questions asked, including her two patients. Watching how he was handling this situation, she was beginning to understand where they were coming from.

A soft knock on the door drew their attention. Opening the door, Dr. Franklin saw Cassie had returned and had an armful of clothes. After thanking her, Althea directed her back out to the waiting area, and General O'Neill followed behind.

The doctor walked everything over to the two beds in the furthest corner of the sickbay. Curtains were drawn around both to provide as much privacy as possible. Her timing was perfect for Abby was backing out from behind the curtain surround the CMO's bed. After passing the smaller bundle to the Chief Nurse, Althea walked over to Colonel Carter's curtained of area.

"Sarah, are you guys decent?" she called out quietly.

"Come in, Doctor," she heard her patient answer.

Parting the curtain she found that Sarah and Sam must have just finished up. Her blonde patient was covered by several thick blankets. Sarah was cleaning up the debris from the physical exam and the bed bath.

Wordlessly, she passed the clothes to the brown-haired nurse, and between the two of them they soon had their blonde patient comfortably dressed in her own clothes, covered once again with several warm blankets, and settled back in the bed. Sarah patted Sam's covered leg before she left the curtained-off area.

Turning back to her friend and patient, the young doctor glanced at the connected monitors and readings. Reaching out she gasp the nearby wrist and schooled her features not to react to the involuntary flinch at the causal contact. The pulse beneath her fingers felt strong and steady. After checking Sam's eyes – which her patient strongly protested and grimaced against – and asking and receiving accurate answers to orientation questions, Althea then asked, "How are you doing? And I want the real story not the 'I'm fine' soldier bullshit," she asked while staring sternly at her patient for she had learned over time that this particular soldier's arm could be falling off and she would still say 'I'm fine'.

Grinning self-consciously, the blonde sighed. "I'll tell you how I am really doing if you tell me how Janet is. Sarah's been too busy with me to find out for me," Sam said as she tried to bargain with her friend and for the moment her doctor as well.

Pulling a nearby rolling stool closer to the bedside, Althea took a seat and once again held her patient's wrist before she began to speak. "Sam, I think she'll be just fine. We are going to have to keep a close eye on her, and in a few days she will be ready to go home with you."

"Now, tell me the real story, Al," Sam told her after using Janet's assessing stare on the young doctor. She squeezed the young doctor's hand to let her know that she could handle the truth… no matter what it was.

Althea really hated dealing with really smart people. They always saw through her carefully constructed smoke screens. "Okay," she finally agreed, for she knew if she were in Sam's shoes then she would want to know the whole truth about her partner as well. She then listed all of her boss' injuries. "She has a moderate concussion, a lacerated lip that I had to put a dozen stitches in, three cracked ribs, and a deeply bruised abdomen. Her abdominal MRI shows that her spleen had been leaking earlier, but has stop on it own... for now. Her blood count is down from last week's post mission labs, but it's still within acceptable limits for her. So we're going to keep a close eye on her pain level and blood count, and wait. The next twenty-four hours are going to be critical in determining if it and she are going to remain stable or not."

Clearing her throat, Sam asked the question that she needed the answer to, but at the same time dreaded the answer as well. "Dr. Franklin…"

Althea stiffed slightly at the use of her profseeion name, but she waited for Sam to continue.

Straightening her shoulders as if she were preparing for battle, Sam slipped into soldier mode and asked, "I know all about doctor/patient confidentiality but I am really to know." Again she paused and swallowed strongly… too many drugs and too much of a concussion to maintain her façade. "Did that bastard… did that bastard… rape her?" she struggled to spit out.

Althea struggled to keep her own emotions under control as well. Luckily, she had anticipated this question, and had asked Janet for permission to answer it for Sam if she could. The petite doctor thought long and hard as she struggled as to what to do, and what to tell her wife. After her young colleague had completed a pelvic exam and reported her preliminary findings to her boss, Janet agreed that Sam needed to know the truth. And right now she knew that she just didn't have it in her to do it herself.

"Sam," she said and waited until her patient made eye contact with her before continuing. "Janet gave me permission to fully explain her condition. When was the last time the two of you had intercourse?"

Not sure where this was going, Sam did answer. "This morning in the shower… I should say yesterday."

Nodding, Althea continued. "There were no signs of bruises or tears, but I could tell that she had been penetrated somewhere in the last 24 hours. I took multiple swabs to test to just be sure. As she told us, he said he wouldn't lower himself to rape her."

Sam sighed in relief at this information. Very few people in her life knew about what Jonas Hanson did to her after she ended their relationship, but Janet did. It had taken several years of therapy for her to come to grips with what he did to her, and truly believe it was his fault and not hers. She was so glad that Janet wouldn't have to deal with the same situation on top of everything she was going to have to deal with over this situation.

As she was explaining all that was going on with Janet, Althea had kept a close eye on Sam and her vital signs. She could see that her patient was getting angrier and angrier about what had happened to her wife. Then for a brief second she thought she saw… shame, but it was gone as quickly as it appeared. Finally, Sam gave into her tiredness and laid her head back thus breaking eye contact as she stared at the ceiling.

Knowing her friend well, she knew she had to try to nip what she saw in the bud… for both her and her boss' sake. "Samantha," she said and paused until the blonde friend made eye contact once again. "I'm going to tell you exactly what Janet is going to tell you when she wakes up: THIS IS NOT YOU'RE FAULT!" She spoke softly but firmly. "The only one to blame in this situation is that asshole and he is where he ought to be: in the morgue. I know as a doctor I'm not supposed to feel that way, but he has attacked two people that I consider to be part of my family. Good riddance to bad rubbish is what I say; so, will the people waiting outside that door, and so will Janet."

Looking the young doctor in the eye Sam told her. "That is not the problem. I am glad that piece of shit is dead," she said venomously.

"Then what?" Althea's concern could easily be heard in the tone of her voice.

Seeing that Al was going to keep at her until she got answers, Sam sighed and looked down at her clasped hands as she explained. "As you know my on-base team and I had to replace a major component in the Control Room that had gotten fried by a cup of coffee." When she glanced up through her bangs she saw confusion and concern on her friend's face. "I didn't leave until I made sure every last thing was completed and running smoothly. If I had taken Sly and Walter up on their offer to run the last tests on the gate by themselves, I could have been home at least an hour earlier. I could have been there when he tried to break-in and I could…" Her voice had begun to crack and shake slightly the longer she spoke.

"Sam, stop 'what ifing' yourself to death," Althea ordered with authority. Over her career, she had seen too many of her patients do the exact same thing to themselves. She decided to pose a question to her smart friend, and hoped it shocked her out of this funk and back to thinking about this situation logically. "Do think that if you had been there, and god forbid he was able to subdue and kidnap you from the beginning, he might have done things differently with Janet…" she stopped speaking and left the question hanging in the air for she wanted it to sink in that the situation could have turned out so much worse.

After a few moments of uncomfortable silence, Sam nodded. That nod brought on wave after wave of nausea, and dizziness. This time the blonde soldier lost her battle with her stomach. Luckily, Sarah had left a basin nearby. Snatching it up, Althea held it close until her patient was done. Setting it aside, she gently lowered Sam back in the bed.

Suddenly, the side curtain was yanked back. Concerned-filled, brown eyes darted around the cubical while taking in the readings from the monitors, and the equipment that was in use: cardiac monitor, supplemental oxygen with oxygen monitor, and a couple of IV pumps before settling on the blonde woman in the bed. After assessing the situation, the petite doctor's gaze returned to her wife's face. "Sam, sweetheart, are you okay?" Janet asked quietly.

Whipping around the young doctor was faced with the concerned glare of her second patient and her boss. Althea took a moment to take in her other patient's condition before speaking… or her carrying out first inclination: to snipe at her other patient. Janet was breathing rapidly, skin was sweaty and pale, and her face was pinched and haggard with pain. Luckily, the petite doctor's bed had been close enough to the curtain that she could easily reach out and grab the dividing curtain to pull it back, or she was sure that the stubborn woman would have crawled out of her bed to do it. Keeping her voice low but very stern, Althea asked in her best doctor voice, "What the hell do you think you're doing, Doctor Fraiser?"

Janet was brought up short by that voice. Seldom had she ever seen Al close to losing her temper, and so it was easy or the petite doctor to forget that Althea had one. The petite doctor had the good sense to blush as she realized how she would have reacted if one of her patients had done what she had just did. Sheepishly, she said, "Sorry, Al. I didn't…"

"Think?" Althea finished sarcastically as she raised one eyebrow. If Janet aggravated her abdomen… she didn't know what she would do but she would do something once her boss was healed, like kick Janet's ass, royally.

Seeing the look on her colleague's face, Janet said, "Yeah, I didn't think." After pausing for a moment, she quietly added, "Sorry." Looking back to her wife she asked, "Sammy, how are you?"

After taking a sip of the water Al offered her and rinsing out her mouth, she looked at her wife and smiled tiredly. "I'm fine, Jan." Seeing that no one was going to believe that, her shoulder drooped and she gently rubbed her face. "Alright, I feel lousy. Pain in the back of my head is a 7 or 8, and the lights are not only hurt my eyes but making the nausea worse. Every time I move my head very quickly at all, I get even more nauseated and dizzy. My face is sore but okay, and my belly aches a little, but give me a few days, and I'll be just fine, Jan. I promise." She added just enough of a smile that it didn't make her lip split open again.

The petite doctor snorted and then groaned from the pull it caused in her abdomen. Immediately, Sam shot up in her bed at the sounds of Janet's discomfort. Of course, she had forgotten about her own bodily injuries before her pain reminded her. Groaning, the blonde soldier fell heavily back against the mattress.

Silently, Althea chuckled to herself. She didn't know which one of these "patients" was gone to be a biggest pain in her backside. Loudly clearing her throat, she waited until she had both of their attention. "Listen up, soldiers, this is my sickbay at the moment and I am ordering…" at the glare from her boss, she stressed, "Yes, ordering you both to lay back, relax, take you pain medications, and rest as much as possible. Now that your baths are completed, I'm going to get some help and we're going to move the two of you to Iso-Room 2. It will provide you both some privacy, and the equipment in there is close enough that I can arrange it so that your beds can be pushed together. If I don't do something like that I don't think either of you will ever settle down. Furthermore, once I let Cassie in, I don't think I will get her to leave; so, I'm going have a cot set up for her as well." She could see the relief on both of their faces. Most people wouldn't even think about doing what Al was doing for them, and they really appreciate her kindness to their family. "However, if you can't follow orders… let me stress this IF YOU CAN'T FOLLOW ORDERS… I will sedate and separate the two of you. Understood?"

Suddenly, Janet and Sam found themselves on the receiving end of Althea's version of Dr. Fraiser's CMO glare… the look was good, but scary at the same time. After glancing at each other, they looked back at their doctor and nodded slightly their agreement.

The petite doctor decided it was time for some answers to the questions that were plaguing her. "Dr. Franklin…" she said this with great respect, "…would you tell me about Colonel Carter's test results?"

Dr. Franklin had been waiting for this question, and just like she had done with Sam, Althea moved her stool closer to her boss' bed before she began to speak. "Colonel Carter had a hairline fracture along the right lateral side of the occipital bone. MRI doesn't show any hemorrhaging or swelling around the effected area. Symptoms indicate a moderate concussion. She has a non-displaced fracture of the right maxilla near the mandibular joint. If it remains stable, she won't have to have surgery on it. Lastly, her abdomen is deeply bruised, and her liver shows scattered fit size hematomas, but no hemorrhaging. I put a dozen stitches in right hand before I closed the top with butterfly strips for lacerations. She is bruised and battered, but in a few days she should be just fine." Taking her friend's hand into hers, Althea squeezed it in reassurance before continuing. "Just like you are going to be, my friend. Got it?" She noted her boss was also struggling with her emotions for they flitted across her features before she was able to tug her CMO mask back into place. Her heart really bled for her friends. She couldn't imagine what she would be feeling if she had been through the same things that they had.

With a chagrin look on her face, Janet nodded her understanding once again. "Yeah, I've got it. I'll be doing a lot better when all these drugs you pumped into me when I wasn't looking wears off. I feel like my head if full of cotton," she complained verbally, but inwardly realized that without them she would probably still be a sobbing mess. Privately, she would have to admit that the morphine was helping to control the burning pain that had been in her back and abdomen earlier. Deciding to change the subject, she asked, "Where is Cassie, and is she doing okay?"

At the mentioning of her daughter's name, Sam ears perk up as well. She, too, had been wondering the same thing as Al and Janet had been discussing her situation. Like her wife she too was feeling cotton-minded. Now that her adrenaline had worn off, she was truly feeling all of her aches and pains as well as her nearly overwhelming nausea and dizziness. And when she opened her eyes, the lights in the room were making her head to throb.

The young doctor squeezed Janet's hand in reassurance while informing her patients, "Cassie is here and she is fine." She stressed the 'fine'. "From what I understand Daniel and Vala went to the Morrisons' to inform her as to what was going and then brought her here. She, along with SG-1 and General O'Neill, are waiting impatiently outside to see you both. After we get you situated, I'm going to let them in for a few minutes, and then I am going to order them all to the Mess Hall for some breakfast and then some rack time."

"Good luck with that," her boss muttered.

Althea chuckled at the comment. "Yeah, yeah… but I have to at least try. It would be what my boss would expect me do, right?"

Janet slightly chuckled and then groaned. "Doctor, doesn't the first rule of medicine say to first do not harm?"

The young doctor tried to not smile, but hearing Sarah chuckle as she walked back into their area, Althea had to smile unrepentantly, as she said, "Yes, Boss. Sorry, boss."

"Sorry to interrupt the festivities here," Sarah said after coming to a stop beside of the seated Althea, "but the natives are getting restless out there and I am afraid they are about to storm the gates… especially the old fogey out there. The last thing that I heard him saying was something about that he thought one Napoleonic Power-monger was enough for any one base, but he was afraid that she was training another one to be just like her."

This time while Sam chuckled quietly, Janet just slightly grinned. Althea, however, laughed out loud. "Well, Boss, I guess I'm learning something right after all." Looking over her shoulder at Sarah, she ordered, "Get the orderly over here. It's time to get these beds and the other equipment moved to Iso-Room 2. While they are doing that, I want you to give Colonel Carter 6.25 mg of Phenergan IV for her nausea."

Picking up the soiled basin and replacing it with a clean one, Sarah nodded her understanding.

When Sam started to protest the medication, Janet looked over at her and shook her head "no", for if she was in-charge of her wife's case, she would have done the exact same thing. The blonde soldier grunted her disgust at being overruled, but lay back and gave no further protest.

TBC…

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