A/N-sorry this is getting posted kind of late today, but chapter 30 should follow fairly quickly.

Disclaimer in chapter 1

29

Jack watched in complete shock as two MPs stepped forward and took Sam by each arm. One minute the Vice-President of the whole damn country is patting him on the back and the next, they're hauling his girlfriend off for no apparent reason.

"What the hell is going on here?" he demanded, looking from Sam's abashed and outraged face to Jackson's, whose immobility was starting to wear off to be replaced with indignation. "Jackson! Stop them!" Jack cried, struggling to sit up. Dr. Brightman stepped forward, trying to push him back into a reclining position, but he was having none of it. "Sam!"

"It'll be okay, Jack," she tried to assure him, but from the look on her face, he knew she was only trying to placate him.

"Where are you taking her? What's she being charged with?" Jack felt as weak as a newborn, and even the effort to sit up had exhausted him. There was no way in hell he was going to let them just take her!

Kinsey looked down his nose at him. "Unfortunately, Mr. O'Neill, your 'girlfriend' has duped you as well as everyone she's come in contact with. That woman," Kinsey said, leveling a finger at Sam, "Is a threat to national security and I want her in custody now!"

"Daniel?" he questioned, "Are you just going to let them take her after all she's done to protect this planet? Where the hell do you get off accusing her of being a threat?" he directed at Kinsey who was turning to exit the room.

Daniel's hands were clenched into fists and Jack could see it was taking all of his restraint to remain where he was. "It's best if we let them take her," he said through clenched teeth. "For now. We'll get this cleared up."

Kinsey's smirk was ferral. "Oh, that's where you're wrong, Colonel Jackson. She's under my jurisdiction now. This is no longer a military matter. Let's go." Sam gave him a last fleeting look and a nod. Jack knew she was trying to put his mind to rest, but he'd gotten to know her well enough he could see she was struggling to keep up a brave front.

Collapsing back on the bed, Jack's mind couldn't focus on all that had happened. In a matter of minutes he'd gone from being dazzled by the Vice-President, to being ready to slug him for his misguided accusations. Daniel and Janet stepped closer to his bed, the latter placing a comforting hand on his shoulder, squeezing gently. His eyes were drooping. He needed to stay awake, but he saw Dr. Brightman inserting a syringe into his I.V. line.

". . . .have to stay awake. . . ."

"You need rest, Mr. O'Neill and if this is the only way you'll get it, so be it. Colonel, Major, I'm going to have to ask you to leave." Jack could feel the inevitable pull of sleep, but put forth one last effort to speak to Daniel, grabbing his arm.

"Take care of her for me. . . ."

XXXXXX

This is all getting to be a little too routine, Sam decided, pacing the confines of the small cell. It was about half the size of her accommodations at Cheyenne Mountain, and was obviously for short term holding, not incarceration. At least they'd removed the handcuffs. So where do you suppose they'll take me?

Sam found herself idly rubbing her wrists as she walked back and forth. She'd tried to make sure Jack didn't worry about her, but she couldn't help the bubble of panic starting to form in her gut. She had no ace in the hole this time. No one higher than Kinsey she could appeal to for help. She'd met Henry Hayes in her reality, but not this one. She'd reached the end of the line with her influential acquaintances.

Kinsey's paranoia confirmed her suspicions he was manipulating nefarious groups here, just as he did in her world. No doubt he'd blackmailed his way into the Vice-Presidency and saw her as a threat to his political agenda. Sure, she knew what he was capable of, probably better than most people, but she had no evidence. Who's ear did he think she had?

It probably didn't help that the head of Homeworld Security had been her get-out-jail-free card. She didn't even know Hammond here. In a bizarre twist of fate, the man who'd managed her release the last time was now was probably the reason Kinsey felt threatened. No doubt Hammond had the clout to see an investigation into Kinsey's finances through. Was all this just to keep her from being in contact with the head of Homeworld Security?

Sam scrubbed her hands through her hair, leaving it sticking up in all directions. She probably looked as frazzled as she felt. One minute she was despairing over the Replicators, and the next she was forced into another no-win situation. Was it too much to ask she be allowed to catch her breath?

Lying down on the hard cot, Sam slung her arm over her eyes, trying to block out the harsh overhead light. Frankly, she was a little surprised Kinsey hadn't shown up at her cell to gloat, but she supposed he had her where he wanted her. Tossed into a small cage with no contact and no information probably served his purpose better than rubbing her face into her situation.

She'd never thought of his behavior as being Goa'uld-esque, but lying on the thin mattress and scratchy wool blanket, she realized that's exactly how he was acting. A self-important megalomaniac who wielded his authority same as any System Lord she'd ever met. And he didn't have the excuse of being possessed by a snake.

Just then she heard the outer door being opened. Sitting up, Sam remained on the cot, as far from the enclosing bars as she could get.

"Daniel!" suddenly Sam was on her feet, taking two steps to reach the barrier separating them. Behind him sat Jack in a wheelchair, being pushed by Janet. "Jack! What are you doing out of bed?"

"Guy's pretty damn stubborn," Daniel acknowledged, jerking his head towards Jack. "Told me he'd kick my ass if I didn't get him to see you."

Sam was shaking her head, an exasperated smile coming to her lips. "What am I going to do with you?"

"You could get us out of here." His voice was weak and she could see it was taking quite an effort to remain upright in the chair. Janet had a hand on his shoulder to steady him.

"That's not likely to happen," she said, casting a glance at Daniel. He didn't say anything, but she could tell by the look in his eyes she'd guessed right.

"What's the deal with Kinsey anyway? What's he afraid of?" Jack asked, zeroing in on the crux of the matter.

Sam reached through the bars, running her hand along his forearm. He was gripping the arm of the wheelchair and she wondered if was for support or in an effort to control his anger. "I know things about him. Well, I suppose I know things about the other Kinsey," she amended.

"Does he know that for sure? Has he ever even talked to you?"

"He knew I recognized him."

"Well of course you recognized him," Jack huffed. "He's the Vice-President for crying out loud!"

Sam wasn't sure what to say to that. How the moment their gazes had met, Kinsey had known she knew. She couldn't even begin to devise a defense. There was no way he'd accept her word she wouldn't expose him. The only way he could be sure of her compliance was to put her away, and it was obvious he intended to do that. Perhaps there would be an accident, and who would know or mourn her? She was a woman who supposedly didn't exist.

Suddenly, she realized this wasn't solely about her. Everyone she'd had contact with in this universe was at risk, with Jack and Charlie at the top of the list. As long as she was alive, they were in danger. Their safety was the blackmail Kinsey would use to keep her in line, even as she was locked away.

Closing her eyes, Sam took a breath. "In my universe his hands are so dirty, they'll never come clean." She opened her eyes and looked between the three people gathered outside her cell. "Haven't you ever wondered how an obscure Senator had such a meteoric rise in his political career? How in a matter of one term he's suddenly the Vice-President, making it no secret his eye is on the Presidency? He's not about to let anything stop him, certainly not a glitch like me."

"So what's he going to do?" Jack asked, looking to Daniel.

"He'll put her away," the Colonel whispered, looking at the floor, unable to meet either her or Jack's gazes.

"Put her away? You mean like in prison? For what? She hasn't done anything!" Jack's voice had gained some volume, but still cracked under the strain.

"That doesn't matter," Daniel said, turning to Jack. "He's convinced she's guilty just by showing up in a top-secret facility."

Jack took in a lungful of air. "There's this little thing called 'evidence'."

"Unfortunately, he has evidence."

"He does?" Jack said looking to her for confirmation.

Gripping the bars of her cell, Sam forced her gaze to meet Jack's. "The same surveillance footage SG-1 used to find me, clearly shows me within this base. There's no record of my entry, so obviously I somehow breached security to be within the facility. Probably to gather highly classified information."

Jack's eyes quickly moved back and forth, then he looked at Sam. "Didn't you tell him about how, you know, um, got here?"

Smiling, Janet articulated what Jack hadn't said, "You mean that she's from an alternate universe?"

Jack shrugged, sheepish. "Yeah, that."

"He knows," Daniel said. "He just chooses not to acknowledge there could be another version of all this," he said, gesturing around the room.

"And yet he believes Sam knows another him somewhere enough to fear her."

"He kind of picks and chooses what he wants to believe," Daniel said.

Jack looked around at everyone and Sam could see he was fading fast. "What are we going to do about it?"

"We?" All three of them said at once.

"If you think I'm going to just sit by while Sam is railroaded, you're all nuts." He locked gazes with her. "Don't even think about arguing with me," he said, sounding so much like Colonel O'Neill, Sam almost stood up straighter and called him "sir."

Daniel was surprisingly silent, then quietly stated, "We have to send her back," he said, looking her straight in the eye.

Sam's mouth dropped open in shock. "You can do that?"

Pushing his glasses up, Daniel continued to stare at her. "It's not a guarantee, but the mirror should still be on P3R-233. There were plans to retrieve it, but Kinsey shut the program down before we could bring it back."

"So you're saying when we get it, we should try to send Sam through?" Janet asked.

"I don't think we have that long," Daniel said. "Kinsey's going to get her transferred as soon as possible. Once she leaves the SGC, I don't think we'll have another opportunity."

"Opportunity to what?" Jack asked.

Sam reached through the bars to grasp Jack's hand. "Opportunity to try to get me to the mirror. Right?" she asked, looking over to Daniel who simply nodded. Turning her attention back to Jack, she added, "But I'm not going to go. I'm not leaving you or Charlie. And I'm not going to put this SG-1 at risk."

"I think that's our choice," Daniel said.

Jack's eyes squinted as he looked up at Daniel. "Why are you so hot to send her back? I thought you were the one who said she was difference between winning and losing against the Replicators. How come you're so quick to give up your ace in the hole?"

It took a moment before Daniel answered him. "Because she doesn't belong here. It's not her life." Daniel took a breath and looked back at her. "You know I'd love for you to be a part of our program, but that's not going to be an option. As long as Kinsey is in a position of power, there's no way he'll allow her freedom."

She didn't want to admit it, but Daniel was right. Kinsey would remain a threat as long as he was in power. What choice did she have if she wanted to keep Jack and Charlie safe? "He's right," Sam said, avoiding looking at Jack.

Daniel cleared his throat, jerking his head at Janet, indicating they should give them some privacy. Jack struggled out of the wheelchair, clinging to the bars of her cell for support.

"You should be in the infirmary," Sam said, not wanting to have this conversation with him.

"Not until we straighten some things out," Jack said. His voice was breathy and she knew if she didn't get this out of the way, he'd never consent to getting some rest. "So, you want to leave me. Go back to him."

"Jack, it's not like that."

"Oh, really? How is it then? Did you enjoy indulging your fantasies? Seeing how things would have been if you crossed that line? Never mind that I fell hopelessly in love with you. You can just wash your hands of the whole lot of us and return from your vacation to Neverland."

"Stop it!" she shouted. Taking a deep breath, she tried to remember he was exhausted and scared. Sam closed her eyes, trying to rein in her emotions. She wrapped her hands over his, squeezing harder than was probably comfortable. "I love you, damn it, and you know it. Don't make this about me choosing him over you."

Jack lowered himself to the wheelchair once more. "How am I supposed to take it? First chance you get you're running for the door." His voice sounded defeated and Sam felt terrible.

"I don't even know if it's possible to go back," she said quietly, looking down at the floor of the cell. She shifted her gaze back to his eyes. He looked exhausted beyond the physical. In a matter of hours he'd had to wrap his head around an invading alien force; everything she'd told him about the Stargate had been true; a leader he seemed to trust had turned out to be at the top of a very large conspiracy; and he learned he was the descendant of a race he hadn't even known existed.

Now she was pulling away from him. True, she wanted to keep he and Charlie safe, but was that the only reason she clung to Daniel's assertion there was a way to get back to her own universe? If the choice was merely to stay here with Jack or go back, it would be an easy decision. She did love him and had a life here. But what would it be like for him to see her in prison? Held for an indefinite time on trumped-up charges on the accusations of a paranoid? That was even if she was allowed to see him.

"I won't do it, Jack. Oh, I'd get through it just to piss Kinsey off, and I know you wouldn't let anyone forget where I was. But what I can't take is the thought you'll come every week, try to boost my spirits as the hope in your eyes dies. I won't do that to you. It would be better for all of us if I just didn't exist here."

Jack struggled to his feet again. "No!" He tried to shout, grabbing the bars once more to steady himself. "I can't live with another loss like that, Sam." he was shaking his head, tears gathering in his eyes. "You don't know what it was like," he whispered. "After Sara. It was impossible. I was impossible. I almost destroyed Charlie. I can't sink into that hole again."

"Then don't! I'm not going to be dead, Jack!"

"You might as well be," he sighed. "The only difference is there won't be a body or a grave site to mourn at." Jack rested his head against the bars and she stepped closer, resting her head against his.

"Jack, you know I love you. I love Charlie, but there isn't a good choice here. I don't even know if I can get back. Even if Daniel can get me to the mirror, it doesn't mean I'll get back to my own reality. General Hammond had the mirror we used destroyed. My only hope is there are others. I can't imagine whoever made the mirrors limited them to one per universe. There has to be more."

"Wishful thinking won't make it so," he mumbled. He was quiet for a few moments then looked up, suddenly sparked with an idea. "Jackson's going to try to bust you out of here before you can be transferred, right?"

"I guess that's the plan. . . ."

"Then he can hide you somewhere in this facility and when it's safe I'll pick you up and we'll head to my cabin in Minnesota."

Sam shook her head, a small, sad smile gracing her lips. "You know you're going to be watched, especially if I've gone missing. Even if I go back to my own universe, they'll still be watching you. I'm so sorry, Jack. I never meant for you to get mixed up in all of this."

Jack reached through the bars, pulling her closer, kissing her desperately. "I'm not going to convince you, am I?" he breathed.

"I have to do this, Jack," she said, wishing to God she had another option. One that didn't involve going to prison, or hiding the rest of her life. What would the strain ultimately do to them? She'd rather leave him now than watch him turn bitter and resentful.

Sam could hear booted footfalls coming closer. "They're coming for me. Promise me you won't try to stop them. You're in no shape to take on a group of soldiers." Before he could answer, the detail of four soldiers entered the room housing her small cell.

"Samantha Carter, you've been charged with falsifying your identity, and unlawful entry. You will be detained at another facility until your arraignment." As the lead soldier began to read Sam her rights, she gave Jack a pleading glance, silently begging him to let her go. The moment the door was open she rushed into his arms, kissing him and returning the fierce hug she was receiving.

"Jackson better be ready for you," he whispered in her ear. She nodded, kissed him once more and stepped back from him when she felt a hand on her arm, pulling her away from him.

"I love you, Jack! she called. "Tell Charlie I love him, too!"