Sitting in the comfortable chairs in Hammond's office, the air was thick with tension as Jack prepared to reveal the truth about Sam's situation. Hammond couldn't hide his confusion and concern, admitting, "I still don't understand what has made her quit the Air Force and leave the program. She didn't answer any of my phone calls. Jacob was completely stunned as well. She didn't want to see him or even talk with him."
Jack let out a heavy sigh, recognizing the weight of what he was about to disclose.
"Well, Sir, it is exactly about that situation that I'm here," he began.
Hammond's confusion deepened as he looked at Jack, a sense of unease creeping into his features.
"You know why she left the Air Force?" he inquired, his curiosity tinged with worry.
Jack nodded gravely.
"Yes, Sir. But before I tell you, I'm going to ask you to keep in mind the Samantha Carter you have known all these years—the officer she is, well, that she has been until she left the Air Force. You better than anyone know her," Jack implored.
Hammond's gaze bore into Jack's, his expression growing more intense.
"I don't like how this conversation is going at all, Jack. So start speaking and fast," he warned.
And so Jack began recounting the whole story to George Hammond, from the very beginning. Hammond was, after all, not just her former superior officer but also her godfather, and had known her since she was born. His eyes remained locked on Jack, probing for every detail.
As Jack continued to explain the sequence of events, Hammond's face registered a range of emotions—shock, disbelief, and growing anger. He couldn't help but react strongly to the revelation of the Russian Mafia's involvement, the blackmail that exploited Jack as her weakness, the meticulous efforts to locate and rescue Sam, and the actions she had taken along the way.
By the time Jack concluded his account, Hammond couldn't contain his emotions any longer. He closed his eyes briefly, covering his face with his hand in an overwhelming gesture.
"My God!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with disbelief and anguish. The weight of the situation had left him shaken, and he now faced the reality of the difficult choices Sam had made.
Jack watched Hammond, his own heart heavy with the knowledge of the burden they all carried. He awaited Hammond's response, knowing that he was the one person who could provide the support and guidance Sam desperately needed at this critical juncture.
With the gravity of the situation pressing upon them, Hammond inquired urgently, "Where is she now?" He struggled to keep his emotions in check, his concern for Sam evident in his tone.
Jack glanced at his watch, considering the timeline.
"I haven't talked to them since I left the plane, but I believe they should be already crossing Maryland," he replied.
Hammond furrowed his brows in confusion.
"They are coming here?" he asked.
Jack shook his head firmly.
"No, back to Colorado Springs. It's where I can best protect her," he explained. He went on to reveal his true purpose for seeking Hammond's help, saying, "And that is why I'm here, Sir. I need your help. I can't leave her alone in this."
Hammond knew Jack O'Neill well enough to understand that he would never abandon his former second-in-command and leader of SG-1 in a situation like this. He offered his assistance with a simple question, "What can I do?"
Jack explained their immediate goals, saying, "She needs to testify against those thugs, and we need to warn the Russians. Put them out for good. And hopefully, get her back to SGC."
Hammond nodded thoughtfully and sought clarity, asking, "Is that what she wants? Or what you want?"
Jack's cheeks reddened slightly as he admitted, "I just want her safe, Sir."
Hammond did not doubt Jack's sincerity and motivations. He got up from his chair and returned to his desk, taking a seat.
"Okay, Jack, let me make some phone calls. Are you staying in D.C.?" he inquired.
Jack shrugged his shoulders.
"If I have to, Sir," he replied.
Hammond shook his head gently, making a decision.
"No, you don't. Go back to SGC and see if they arrive without any problem. And then let me know. I'll need to speak with Samantha. Alone. But we can discuss that later. First, ensure that everyone is all right," he instructed.
Jack saluted his former CO and then said gratefully, "Thank you, Sir."
"Go and take care," Hammond advised as he picked up his phone to start making the necessary calls.
Leaving Hammond's office, Jack felt a renewed sense of hope in his chest. With Hammond's support and the team's resilience, he believed they could navigate the treacherous path ahead and ensure Sam's safety.
As the SUV carried them on the journey back to Colorado Springs, Daniel was focused on the road while Sam, still feeling the grogginess of her nap, rested in the third-row back seat. Tom sat in the front seat next to Daniel, and Teal'c occupied the second row, making for a quiet and somber atmosphere in the vehicle.
Suddenly, the burner phone they had been using began to ring. Tom swiftly picked it up and answered with a simple, "Hello?"
Jack's voice came through the line, clear and purposeful, and he quickly delivered his instructions. Once he had finished, he inquired if he could speak with Sam. Tom glanced back and saw that Sam had awakened and was looking at him. Without a word, he handed her the phone.
"Hey," Sam said, her voice still groggy from sleep.
"Hey," Jack replied as he continued on his way to the base. He knew he had limited time before his flight. "I've spoken with Hammond. He agreed to help us, so you just have to get back safely to the base, okay?" He tried to convey confidence in his voice.
Sam, her voice hushed, questioned him, "What did you do, Jack?"
Jack smiled softly.
"Nothing, I simply told him the truth. He's concerned about you," he explained.
Sam felt a pang of remorse as she remembered all the unanswered calls from Hammond when things had started to go awry on her end.
"Sam? Are you there?" Jack's voice brought her back to the conversation.
"Yes, I'm here," she confirmed.
"I'm going back to SGC, so I'll wait for you there, okay? And, Sam?" Jack's tone became even softer, a note of intimacy in his voice. "I love you very much."
Blushing and grateful that everyone else in the car was focused on their thoughts, Sam replied in a low voice, "I love you too."
They exchanged a few more words before hanging up. Sam carefully placed the cell phone next to Teal'c's seat and then lay back down. The car journey had been mostly silent so far, and she hoped it would continue that way until they reached their destination. She knew she had a lot to discuss with both Teal'c and Daniel, but the weight of guilt and shame still hung heavily on her shoulders, and she wasn't sure if she was ready to confront it just yet.
Jack's return to Colorado Springs went off without any apparent problems, but the warning from Sam about the Russian Mafia's watchful eye made him extremely cautious. He couldn't afford to be predictable, not when the safety of the woman he loved was at stake. Instead of heading straight home like he typically would, Jack went directly to Cheyenne Mountain, the heart of the SGC. It was the safest place he could think of, a fortress with layers of security that would deter anyone trying to harm him or Sam.
He had also issued specific instructions to Tom and the team that accompanied Sam on their journey. They were to drive directly to Cheyenne Mountain, bypassing any unnecessary stops or detours. Jack had already alerted the security personnel at the base to expect their arrival, with strict orders to allow them entry immediately and to notify him as soon as they cleared the first security checkpoint. He knew that Vlad's men were likely watching their every move, and he wasn't willing to take any chances. The mere presence of a sniper could pose a grave threat to Sam's safety.
Now, all Jack had to do was wait. He sat in his office, a sense of restlessness gnawing at him. The waiting was the hardest part. It gave his mind too much time to dwell on all the potential dangers and what-ifs. He couldn't help but feel a nagging anxiety, a persistent worry that something might go wrong.
Jack hated this feeling of helplessness, of not being able to protect Sam directly. It was a stark reminder of the risks they faced and the dangerous world they lived in. But he also knew that he had done everything he could to ensure her safety, and he was counting on the security measures at the mountain to shield her from harm.
As the hours ticked by, Jack's emotions swirled with a mixture of hope, fear, and impatience. He longed for the moment when he would be reunited with Sam and could finally breathe a sigh of relief.
As the team arrived in Colorado Springs after an arduous day of nearly non-stop driving, Tom called Jack ahead to alert him of their impending arrival. Jack, concerned about the possibility of Vlad's men lurking, advised them to take security precautions. He had already sent an escort to meet them, but he remained cautious. His heart raced until he received confirmation that the SUV was with the security detail, and they were entering the mountain base. Finally, he could breathe a sigh of relief.
Jack stood waiting for them at the elevators, and when the doors opened, he was met with the sight of four exhausted individuals, escorted by two armed airmen. He dismissed the airmen and, without concern for appearances, held Sam tightly in his arms. Daniel, Teal'c, and Tom waited in silence.
After releasing Sam, Jack cleared his throat and addressed the team, "I know you must be tired and in need of some rest. You have your rooms." He looked at Daniel and Teal'c, and they promptly left. Then, he turned to Tom, saying, "I've arranged for you to stay in one of the VIP rooms. You can sleep, take a bath, and if you want something to eat, just ask the airman stationed at your door, and he will take you to the cafeteria." Tom nodded, and another airman arrived to escort him.
Now alone with Sam, Jack couldn't help but notice the dark circles under her eyes. Concerned, he asked softly, "Did you manage to get any sleep?"
Sam replied in a low voice, "Here and there," still feeling uneasy about returning to the SGC, even though she knew it was the safest option. Her memories of the place weren't exactly pleasant.
An airman passing by discreetly glanced at them, prompting Sam to voice her concerns, "Jack, I don't think this is the best place for this conversation."
Jack nodded in agreement.
"You're right," he conceded. "I've arranged your quarters as well." He sensed her immediate tension. "Unless you'd prefer to stay in the guest quarters," he quickly offered.
Sam hesitated, looking at him and then at the corridor they were in. Confusion, tension, and a hint of fear were evident on her face. "I... I don't know," she stammered, her breathing starting to quicken. "I'm not feeling well, Jack," she added, holding onto his arm tightly.
Concerned, Jack put his arm around her waist and asked, "Are you going to faint?"
Sam's breathing had become faster, but she managed to shake her head.
"No, I think I'm having a panic attack," she admitted, her voice trembling.
Quickly deciding, Jack guided them. They were already at Level 25, where the crew's quarters were located. He swiftly led them to Sam's room, locking the door behind them.
"Okay, sit," he instructed gently, helping her onto the bed. Sam complied while she tried to calm down.
"Wait a few seconds," Jack said as he went to the small bathroom and wet a towel. When he returned, Sam had her head lowered and her hands on her knees.
"Here," he placed the damp towel on her neck, sitting next to her. "I'm here," he reassured her, grabbing her cold hand. "You're safe, Sam," he said in a calm and comforting tone.
Sam continued to breathe heavily, a whirlwind of emotions coursing through her. She felt like a mess, but Jack's presence and soothing words slowly helped her body relax. After several minutes of Jack quietly talking to her, using calming words, she found her tension easing, and her breathing returned to a regular, steadier pace.
"I'm better", she said after several long minutes.
Jack looked at her pale face but her breathing was normal.
"I know you don't feel comfortable getting back here but it's the safest place I can arrange. Until those bastards are all behind bars I'm not taking any chances with you and your safety", he said.
"I can't hide here forever, Jack", she pointed out.
"No, of course, not", he admitted. "General Hammond is taking care of things. I have to warn him that you have arrived", he said, remembering that he had to call his former CO.
Feeling somewhat better after Jack had helped her through the panic attack, Sam finally took a moment to look around her room. It felt strangely familiar, almost as if she had never left, aside from the personal items she had taken with her. She couldn't help but comment, "It's the same. You didn't change it," her eyes scanned the room that had been her sanctuary for so many years.
Jack, sitting beside her on the bed, put his elbows back and replied, "Of course not. This is your room; it will always be your room." His words were simple, but they carried a depth of emotion that he struggled to hide.
Sam ran a hand through her damp hair, her expression a mixture of gratitude and uncertainty. "Jack..." she began, a warning in her tone.
Sighing, Jack conceded, "Okay, I know we still have a lot of things to take care of, and you never said that you even want to return to the SGC. But as long as I'm the CO of this base, no one touches this room." His voice held more emotion than he intended to reveal.
Turning her head to look directly at him, Sam met his gaze.
"I don't know if I want to return to the SGC or if that's even a possibility at all," she admitted honestly.
Jack locked eyes with her, his determination was evident.
"Hammond is taking care of things. I know the last memories you have of this base aren't exactly the best, but currently, this is the safest place, and I'm not compromising your safety," he warned again, his concern for her well-being unmistakable.
Sam mustered a small, genuine smile.
"I'll manage," she replied, her resilience showing through.
Returning her smile, Jack leaned in closer.
"Good. Now, can I kiss you?" he asked, a glimmer of hope in his eyes.
Sam nodded, her smile still present, and Jack tenderly kissed her, a silent reassurance of his support and affection in this challenging moment.