Rebecca- We're getting towards a solution so yay for Sam! Thank you all so much for your reviews they make my day I love to hear what you all think, they inspire me to write more! I'll be back soon with the next chapter, enjoy!
O'Neill enters Carter's house, he knows there's evidence of a struggle but the place just looked untidy so he searches for more. He looks around for evidence of Wade being there. As he looks around he stops to look in the picture frames, Sam's house is simple so these personal touches stood out. There was a picture of her and Mark's family, her and her dad which was taken on the da she graduated from the academy and then one of them all at Cassie's 13th, he picks the third picture up and smiles. He then wonders through, he sees books and notepads sat next to a screwed up blanket, these items were the only evidence of life. He smirks at her dead and dying plants and goes to the kitchen to get some water to put on them. He makes his way to her bedroom, he again looks at the picture frames, one of her and her mother, another of her and her mother but this time her dad and brother were in it too, he then raises his eyebrow and confusingly grins at one of the frames which was SG1 in uniform and it looked like they were off world, they weren't posing for the picture- he wondered if she was even allowed an off-world picture in her home? Teal'c seemed to be smiling, Daniel was talking to the person taking the photo and he looked like he was explaining something, Jack himself was in the middle of making some jokey remark to Carter who was laughing back, he picks up the frame and sits on her bed contemplating when and how it was taken, with his thumb he brushes the picture hovering over Carter then puts it back. He wonders into her bathroom and looks surprised at the makeup placed on her sink.
"Ah so that's how she does it!" he says to himself, he then looks in the mirror and says "who am I kidding, she doesn't need it". He then quickly lets go of her sink and shakes his head rushing out her personal space back into the hallway. He cringes at the sight of blood on the wall and follows it down to find some on the floor. He takes a picture of the scene and takes a swab for testing back at the base. He then opens the door to leave, lingering a bit looking at her house then he nods and exits.
In his car driving, Daniel calls him and is put on speaker.
O'Neill: Daniel.
Daniel: Hey Jack, you still at Sam's?
O'Neill: No I just left.
Daniel: Find anything?
O'Neill: Well the evidence of a struggle won't be our strongest point because there wasn't much to see but there was some blood on the wall and floor.
Daniel: Did you get a sample?
O'Neill: Yeah. You and Teal'c found anything?
Daniel: Well I'm waiting for the tests to be done for DNA, me and Teal'c have been watching these tapes since you left the base. Wade does come up on the video and he is seen taking things in, but he's usually got a bag when he does.
O'Neill: (huffs) Smart move.
Daniel: Yeah… Let's hope something is found in the blood samples.
O'Neill: Yeah, either way the blood shows something happened so she's going to have to testify it was him.
Daniel: True.
O'Neill: I'll see you later.
Daniel: Alright bye.
Teal'c enters Sam's holding room, she jumps up in anticipation then swallows back a little let down but relieved.
Carter: Hey Teal'c.
Teal'c: Major Carter, are you well?
Carter: Yeah good thanks.
Teal'c: We have made progress in our investigations.
Carter: What progress?
Teal'c: O'Neill has brought back samples of blood that were on your floor and wall and Daniel Jackson is having the Goa'uld communication device tested for samples of DNA. We will prove your innocence. (Carter gives a forced grateful smile, she chews on her bottom lip, there is a few moments of silence) What is bothering you Major Carter?
Carter: I just feel a little helpless, you're all doing all the work.
Teal'c: We are only able to do this work because you presented the truth.
Carter: Yeah, the truth…
Teal'c: Is there not something else on your mind?
Carter: (fideting) No.
Teal'c: You should not feel guilty.
Carter: What?
Teal'c: I understand that you feel guilty, you did what you thought was best and protected those who are vulnerable.
Carter: (huffs and runs her hands through her hair) I've just really screwed things up around here Teal'c.
Teal'c: You are not to blame.
Carter: Yes I am! After everything, I pleaded that I was innocent for so long and then I turned myself in, and I lied to you all. This is all- I feel awful about it.
Teal'c: Major Carter, you are a formidable warrior, you are wise and a close friend. You are cared about deeply, you did what you felt required to do at the expense of others. You are not to blame, Major Wade is responsible as he implicated you while you were on Kyran's planet.
Carter: I just… You remember how we were all so frustrated after Colonel O'Neill went undercover and pretended to be rouge when 'stealing' Tollan's technology? We all understood that he did what we had to do but we were still offended at the things he did and said. Or when Daniel became- you know it doesn't matter, what I'm trying to say is that you are stood there saying what's happened is okay but it's not and now I know I've screwed up badly by lying not only professionally but to you all because you're all the closest people I have.
Teal'c: We do not live in a world where we can always be honest with each other, but in the end we always are. Although your actions towards the end were deceiving they were just. All that matters is that you are freed, as your friends we will ensure you are. Has somebody attempted to make you feel guilty for you actions?
Carter: Oh God no. Actually since I told Daniel the truth you're the only real visitor I've had. (pauses, Teal'c looks at her for her to continue) I knew the Colonel would be pissed, I kinda expected to have him storm in here and have a go at me for lying to him as my CO… like he would do, but he hasn't, which kinda makes things worse because now I know he's pissed.
Teal'c: O'Neill is working with us to end your imprisonment.
Carter: Yeah I know, but you know as well as I do that he's not pleased.
Teal'c: Perhaps you are mistaken on his feelings. He is not pleased or is he angry with you.
Carter: What does that leave?
Teal'c: A similar feeling to which you felt when O'Neill walked away from you after we saved him from being stranded on Edora. (she looks down at her feet and nods slowly) I must go now, let us hope the next time I am to see you it is outside this cell.
Carter: (smiles) Yeah. Thanks Teal'c. (He bows and then exits)
Scene change- Daniel running through level 27's hallway with papers flattering everywhere, and swings open General Hammond's office door.
Daniel: (rushed) Sorry to interrupt you sir but I have something!
Hammond: (puts his pen down and sits forward confused) Take a seat Dr Jackson.
Daniel: (places the papers on the table) These are DNA samples I had run on the Goa'uld communication device. Major Wade's are there.
Hammond: As expected, I believe he touched it when it was discovered in Major Carter's locker.
Daniel: Yes, but there are some older prints and all his prints are latent prints which means it's the oils and perspiration on the actual skin that's left. They had all the prints tested further with ninhydrin spray, that reacts with some amino acids that are in our fingerprints and then is you look at the purple colour that's where they're present and then DNA is extracted from them. As you can see Sam's aren't really purple, so although someone forged her DNA onto the device she has never actually physically held it.
Hammond: But her DNA is still still present, Major Wade's alibi is already formed because he has touched the device-
Daniel: But General-
Hammond: Keep looking, this is a good start. When are the tests on the blood that Colonel O'Neill found at her house ready?
Daniel: I don't know you'll have to ask Jack about that one.
Hammond: Well like I said, a good start.
Daniel: Thank you General.
Scene change- Jacob stood in the briefing room with the males of SG1, General Hammond enters.
Hammond: It's goo to see you Jacob (handshake)
Jacob: You too George.
Hammond: I suspect you're not here to talk about some new found technology.
Jacob: Yeah, I just wanna see my little girl. Jack here was telling me you've made some progress.
Hammond: I don't know about progress, but definitely a step in the right direction.
O'Neill: I don't know General, I'd say almost two different samples DNA is progress.
Daniel: We don't know the blood is Wade's yet-
Jacob: Blood?
O'Neill: Ah yeah, well before Carter went all self-incrimination crazy she had a run in with Wade- well he attacked her.
Jacob: I can't believe that asshole! I've never expected a thing from him… He always seemed so- how dare he!
O'Neill: Tell me about it.
Jacob: Where is he?
Hammond: Jacob he's being held and I'm sorry but you're not permitted to see him.
Jacob: What? You're not serious? (pause) George, tell me you're not being serious. This man not only incriminates my daughter to a crime she didn't do, but he also beats the crap out of her and she had that done to her the week before that! This is- this is an-
Hammond: Jacob calm down, you're not the only one who's not permitted to go and see Major Wade.
Jacob: What? (everyone looks at Jack)
O'Neill: Well actually sir you said I could, I just had to be 'chaperoned'.
Jacob: (to Jack) What'd you do?
O'Neill: Unfortunately nothing, just a couple of few words.
Daniel: Which was enough.
Jacob: How is she?
Teal'c: I visited her earlier today. She is well.
Jacob: (nods) I wanna see her. Tell me I'm at least permitted to see my daughter.
Hammond: She's being questioned right now so you'll have to wait, you can see her as soon as she's done but that won't be for quite a while.
Scene change- next day. Jacob enters Sam's cell.
Carter: (surprised) Dad?
Jacob: Hey sweetheart (they hug) How you doing?
Carter: Yeah fine, what are you doing here?
Jacob: I should have come sooner, I tried but I was held up.
Carter: No, no I understand. Was kinda worried about it anyways.
Jacob: Nothing to be worried about here, you've just had a few weeks filled with scumbags.
Carter: Ha yeah.
Jacob: They been treating you okay?
Carter: Oh yeah yeah yeah, all good. General Hammond wouldn't have it otherwise.
Jacob: Good. (pause) I know what you're thinking.
Carter: You do?
Jacob: Yeah we've all been there. I won't lie to you as you will naturally feel guilty- and knowing you, you've probably overthought it to a new extreme that I haven't even considered. You had to lie to them Sam to protect those kids and their mum, I get that.
Carter: I still feel like a fool.
Jacob: Of course you do. You changed your mind dramatically overnight, lied to both of your COs and your team- what other choice did you have?
Carter: I didn't have one, not one that wouldn't be selfish.
Jacob: (Studies her as she sits on her bed) You feel guilty that you told the truth as well.
Carter: It wasn't my right to.
Jacob: Well why did you then?
Carter: Because… because it was so complicated and…
Jacob: And?
Carter: Colonel O'Neill was going to take the blame for me.
Jacob: What?
Carter: He told me he'd go to jail before I did and that he'd figured out a story to make it clear that I was just following his orders. At the start I just thought it was a guilt trip but then it started to eat at me and whether or not he would have done it- I could just feel- I know he would have done it.
Jacob: Jack never ceases to amaze me.
Carter: Rogers' family also needed good protection, the more I thought about it the more I realised that I was just living under the fear of what Wade could do. Then Daniel came and told me he was in a holding cell and a part of me was screaming to let something of the truth out, so I did.
Jacob: And you did the right thing sweetheart.
Carter: (defeated) So I've been told.
Jacob: This is all gonna go away real soon you know. (she nods, he leans down and kisses her forehead) How are you holding up- really?
Carter: I don't know.
Jacob: You're not alone in this, you know? (she nods, her head resting on his chest) I love you kid.
Carter: I love you too dad.
Scene change- evening, the Jack and Daniel in Daniel's office.
Daniel: I know and I'm saying I just don't feel comfortable going off to P3X 491 with everything that's going on right now.
O'Neill: Yeah, and I told Hammond that. But there offer is still there, you don't have to feel bad about going me and Teal'c can handle things our end.
Daniel: Yeah I know, but I'd rather be here you know, just in case.
O'Neill: In case what?
Daniel: In case- (Teal'c enters, Daniel shakes his thoughts) Hey Teal'c, I thought you were sitting in Captain Rogers' interrogation?
Teal'c: I was. We terminated the interrogation at a practical point.
O'Neill: And what point was that?
Teal'c: Captain Rogers was very tired, obviously the issues of this case are becoming a burden to him. He began to tell us he was forced to take Major Carter's place in order to protect his family. He wouldn't say more. Tonight he shall be contemplating the matter and we expect he will be ready to confess in the morning.
O'Neill: Hey great news, I'm sure Carter will be pleased.
Daniel: Yeah, how was Sam yesterday Teal'c? I haven't had a chance to drop by since I last saw her.
Teal'c: As I told Jacob Carter last night, she was well.
Daniel: (skeptical) Really? (starts looks through his files of folders and books for something)
Teal'c: Under the circumstances, yes.
Daniel: That's… well that's good. Did she tell you anything else?
Teal'c: Nothing that will be of use to this case.
Daniel: Ah. Well, me and Jack should go visit- (he elbows his coffee, it pours over some paper and drips onto the floor) Ah really this again! I gotta clear this mess up.
O'Neill: Don't you have a box of tissues laying around here somewhere? You made me bring you down a new box two days ago.
Daniel: I did.
O'Neill: Did? What hayfever this bad 18 levels underground?
Daniel: No Jack, I had to use them all.
O'Neil: For what? (Daniel looks over to the opposite end of his desk which had coffee stained paper and dried coffee soaked tissues scattered around the place, Jack rolls his eyes) Of course… off you go. (Daniel rushes out)
Teal'c: Daniel Jackson was correct.
O'Neill: What? That he used all the tissues?
Teal'c: That you should visit Major Carter.
O'Neill: You know I'm kinda busy right now trying to get her out of it all.
Teal'c: Major Carter did what was required of her.
O'Neill: Hey- I know that. I'm not mad at her if that's what you're trying to get at.
Teal'c: I believe you are hurt that she did not confide in you.
O'Neill: It doesn't matter Teal'c, at least she told someone the truth.
Teal'c: She only told Daniel Jackson the truth once she knew Major Wade was imprisoned and incapable of causing any more harm.
O'Neill: Yeah- whatever. Like I said it doesn't matter, we just need to solve this and so things can go back to the way they were.
Teal'c: I am trying to be a friend O'Neill. I advise you to talk to Major Carter, she is concerned of your disapproval towards her.
O'Neill: Teal'c, she lied to me! Point blank- well almost. To my face. Her attitude towards this has been all over the place, she's not been honest of how she's feeling since the beginning so how am I supposed to just- look like I said, sort Carter's problem out and then get back to how it all was before.
Teal'c: It seems Major Carter is correct in her worry.
O'Neill: I'm not mad at her. She just shouldn't have lied to me, I'd go the end of the galaxy to get her what she needed and she knows that- I'd personally make sure Rogers' family weren't touched and… she said there was nothing I could do! I can list at least 10 things I could have done. But no, Daniel waltz's in and she spills it all, why can she lie to me and not him?
Teal'c: Perhaps the difference between you and Daniel-
Daniel: (running in) Jack? Jack! Felger wants to see you.
O'Neill: (irritated) Why?
Daniel: He took over on running your DNA samples and apparently has found something. (Jack immediately gets up and the other two follow as they exit the office)
Enter into Dr Felger's lab.
O'Neill: What you got for me Felger?
Felger: Well Colonel O'Neill, you'll be not so pleased to hear the blood is predominantly Major Carter's. However, we found some that weren't hers but the sample wasn't very big and was on the edge of hers so hard to alienate. It indicted that at the point in time the attacker was probably leant over her so the blood dropped down along with-
O'Neill: Stop! Who does the other DNA sample belong to?
Felger: (takes a deep breath and slides the document over) Major Riley Wade.
(pause)
O'Neill: You're 100% sure?
Felger: When it comes to DNA you can never be-
Daniel: Could you maybe get to the point? (jack smiles at Teal'c at the irony of hearing Daniel say that)
Felger: Well sir, I can assure it's his. We've tested it four times.
O'Neill: Great work Felger. (to his team) C'mon boys, let's go see Hammond and get a certain sonofabitch locked away forever.
Daniel: I'm with you on that one.
Teal'c: As am I.
(They exit)