Command Decisions
Command Decisions
by LJ Evans
Summary: Sam returns from temporary duty to find that she is no longer the CO of SG1.
Category: Action/Adventure, Future Story, Hurt/Comfort
Episode Related: Future Story
Season: future Season
Pairing: Jack/Sam
Rating: 13+
Warnings: adult themes
Author's Notes: I based this story on what little we know of season 9 and how I want TPTB to wrap up Sam and Jack's relationship. Read my story "Changes" for a pre-quell to this story.
Disclaimer: Stargate SG-1 and its characters are the property of Showtime/Viacom, MGM/UA, Double Secret Productions, and Gekko Productions. I have written this story for entertainment purposes only and no money whatsoever has exchanged hands. No copyright infringement is intended. The original characters, situations, and story are the property of the author(s).
Archived on: 2005-05-20
Lieutenant Colonel Samantha Carter had a two month temporary duty assignment working with the scientists at the Pentagon on some of the Ancient's technology brought back from Atlantis. It just happened that her two months in Washington coincided with General Jack O'Neill's first two months as the Director of Homeworld Security.
As the Colonel was no longer directly in the General's chain of command, they had actually been pursuing a personal relationship that began at his cabin in Minnesota.
When Carter returned to the SGC, she found that she had been replaced as the CO of SG1 by a Lieutenant Colonel who was 6 months senior to her. His name was Cameron Mitchell, and while his service record was impeccable, he had never been in the SGC or off world before being given command of SG1. This irritated and angered Sam, but being ever the good soldier, she accepted it and went about being 2IC of SG1 again. `After all' she told herself, he did go on some missions and distinguished himself while she was in Washington stuck inside a lab all day long.
Since her return, SG1 had been on a few missions and the tension seemed to grow between Colonel Mitchell and Colonel Carter. There had not, however, been any major disruptions to their working relationship and the off world missions had been very routine.
Today SG1 Was suited up and standing in the gate room ready to head out on yet another mission hoping to find new technology or a ready supply of naquada.
"The MALP didn't show any signs of human life on P4X-323," Colonel Carter was saying "It appears to be mid-afternoon where the stargate is located and the ambient air temperature is 68 degrees Fahrenheit."
The rest of SG1 was standing in the gate room, outfitted in olive drab with black `Alice' vests and backpacks, staring at the shimmering blue event horizon.
"SG1, you have a `go'." Said General Landry from the control room
SG1 walked up the metal ramp and disappeared through the stargate. As soon as they were through to the other side, the stargate disengaged and the event horizon appeared to disintegrate. The team had taken no more than a few steps away from the gate when suddenly Jaffa were firing on them from all sides.
"Covering fire!" Sam shouted as she began firing her P-90. "Daniel, dial us out of here!" Daniel was almost to the DHD when he heard Colonel Mitchell's irritated voice.
"Belay that order!" It was an angry command from Lieutenant Colonel Mitchell. "Daniel and Teal'c you're with me returning fire! Carter, you dial the gate!"
Sam looked at him incredulously for just a fraction of a second, then ran to the DHD and began dialing earth. The sounds of battle raged around her as she quickly set about her task. As soon as she saw the `kawoosh' from the gate she quickly entered SG1's emergency code on her GDO.
"All clear!" She shouted. "Let's get out of here!" She pulled up her P-90 and began firing as the rest of the team ran for the gate. As Sam started for the gate she was hit in the back by a staff blast. Teal'c was just ready to step through the event horizon when he saw her go down and he ran back for her.
"Go Teal'c! Let's get out of here!" The command came from Colonel Mitchell, but Teal'c pretended he didn't hear it. He grabbed Carter, threw her over his shoulder and ran for the event horizon. Seconds later he was back in the SGC.
"Close the iris!" Ordered Colonel Mitchell.
Teal'c shouted "Colonel Carter is injured. She needs medical assistance immediately!"
It was Walter who made the call "Medical team to the gate room!"
The corpsmen showed up quickly with a gurney and Teal'c gently placed the Colonel on the mattress. An unconscious Samantha Carter was quickly wheeled into the infirmary where the doctor began to work on her.
"I want a debriefing in 20 minutes, SG1!" General Landry ordered.
When the members of SG1, minus Colonel Carter, were seated around the table in the briefing room Hank Landry asked "So, what went wrong?"
"General Landry," Teal'c began "I believe that what we encountered were a group of Jaffa that have been cut off or perhaps even abandoned on P4X-323. I believe that they are unaware that the system lords have been defeated and that the Jaffa are free."
"But, how is it that the MALP did not pick up any life signs before you went through the gate?" Asked the General.
"The Jaffa are aware of our technology and sometimes they purposely try to make the area around the stargate appear as if the planet is uninhabited." Daniel rattled out quickly.
"When there is an abundance of trees and underbrush, it is easy for the Jaffa to establish hiding places where they can guard the gate and not be seen." Added Teal'c
"Ok, so how do we convince these Jaffa that the system lords are gone and that they are free."
"I believe that is a job for the Free Jaffa Counsel." Teal'c stated. "With your permission I will go to them and ask them to make contact with this world to convince the Jaffa that the war is over."
"Permission granted." Said General Landry. "Ok, people, you are dismissed."
"Ah,....General, what about Sam?" Daniel asked
"Well, it was very unfortunate that she was injured, but we have the best medical care available to her right here." Landry stated what he felt was the obvious.
Daniel considered telling him that Colonel Carter had instinctively reacted to the ambush and gave them a logical order. Colonel Mitchell ordered them to ignore Carter's orders, presumably because he was on a power trip. Daniel was pissed. He truly believed that Sam was now in the infirmary because of Colonel Mitchell.
Daniel decided to wait and see how badly Sam was injured before he said anything else. He nodded his head at the General and left the briefing room, headed directly for the infirmary.
Doctor Brightman was still at Sam's bedside, but the curtains were not drawn and Doctor Brightman appeared to be just watching Sam. Daniel walked up beside her. "How is she?" He asked.
"Not good." replied Brightman, the stress evident in her voice. "I've done all I can for her, but..." her voice trailed off.
"Is she, ah,..." Daniel began, not wanting to finish the thought.
"Dying." Doctor Brightman finished for him.
"Can we contact the Tok'ra or the Asgard to help her?" Daniel asked.
"I think we have to." Doctor Brightman said and she walked to the phone on the wall and picked it up. "General Landry, we need to try to contact the Tok'ra and the Asgard. Colonel Carter is not going to make it with the medical help I can give her. She needs more than what we've got. Yes sir. Very well."
She walked back toward Daniel and Sam. Daniel had been holding Sam's hand and talking softly to her, even though he knew she couldn't hear him. Without taking his eyes from Sam's face he asked Doctor Brightman "What did the General say?"
"He said he would try to contact both the Tok'ra and the Asgard immediately." She replied.
Daniel looked at Sam's pale face, tubes and wires going everywhere. "Hang in there Sam." He said. After a few minutes he decided he had given General Landry enough time to try to at least contact the Tok'ra. He put Sam's hand down gently on the mattress and left the infirmary.
"Come!" Landry said as he heard the knock on his office door.
"General, have you heard anything from the Tok'ra or the Asgard yet?" Daniel asked.
"The Tok'ra are sending Anise with a hand held healing device. She will arrive in the next hour or two. We have been unable to contact the Asgard, but we are still trying."
Daniel nodded. "Sir, has anyone contacted General O'Neill yet?"
Landry looked up at Daniel with a confused look. "I know that O'Neill used to be the CO of SG1 and that Colonel Carter worked with him for several years, but I don't see the need to ........"
Daniel cut him off. "General, Jack and Sam are, ah,....involved,....um, that is, they, well, they were living together the entire time that Sam was on temporary duty at the Pentagon."
General Landry's eyes grew wide. "I had no idea!" He said. He picked up the red phone on his desk and when it was answered in Washington he said with authority "Put me through to General O'Neill immediately!" He looked up at Daniel and handed him the phone. "You've know him for a long time. This might be easier coming from you." Daniel took the phone and General Landry stepped out of his office to give Daniel a moment of privacy.
When Daniel came out of the General's office Landry asked "What did General O'Neill say."
Daniel looked as if the full impact of Sam's injury had just registered. "He is on his way. He'll be here in 5 hours." The General nodded his head, gave Daniel a pat on the shoulder and Daniel headed off to the infirmary to be with Sam until Anise arrived.
Daniel had been dozing the in the chair next to Sam's bed when the klaxons sounded.
"Unauthorized off world activation!" was heard throughout the mountain.
Daniel ran to the control room as did General Landry.
"Receiving IDC. It's the Tok'ra." Stated Walter.
"Open the iris." General Landry directed.
The iris churned open and two minutes later Anise stepped through the event horizon. Daniel hurried down to the gate room to meet her and escort her to the infirmary.
Anise stood by Sam's bed and put the healing device on her hand. She held it over the prone woman and it began to glow. "She is badly injured." Anise stated. "I cannot do much for her, but I will do what I can."
She ran the device over Samantha Carter several times. Daniel could tell that Anise was concentrating every bit of energy she had into the device, willing Carter to heal. After a few minutes Anise nearly collapsed and the glow of the healing device ceased.
"That is all I can do for her now." Anise said. "If you will show me to quarters where I can rest, I will try again in a few hours."
Daniel looked from Anise to Doctor Brightman. "Is there any improvement?" He asked the Doctor.
The Doctor was scanning the electronic readouts of Sam's blood pressure, pulse and heart function. "Her BP has gone down slightly and her pulse is less erratic." The Doctor stated.
"Well, that's good isn't it?" Daniel asked hopefully.
"Yes...." The Doctor replied "If Anise is able to give her a couple more treatments we may be able to upgrade her condition to critical but stable. I just hope she lasts long enough to have another treatment."
Daniel looked dejected. "Anise, I will take you to the VIP quarters where you can rest up." He said and led Anise from the infirmary.
SG1 had returned through the stargate just shortly after 0900. It was now close to 1630 and Jack O'Neill was in the elevator in the SGC headed down to the infirmary. He did not stop to notify General Landry that he was there but instead headed straight for Sam.
When he stepped into the infirmary the first thing he saw was a very pale, unconscious Sam, in the same bed where her father had been just a few months before. Daniel was still sitting in the chair next to her bed, obviously filling in for Jack until he could get there. Jack walked to the bed and took Sam's hand. Without taking his eyes from her he asked Daniel "How is she?"
"Doctor Brightman says she's dying Jack." Daniel said, the emotion evident in his voice. "Anise tried to use the Tok'ra hand held healing device on her a couple hours ago and it helped a little but...." his voice trailed off.
Jack was holding Sam's hand with both of his. He nodded slightly. He stood looking into her face thinking how unfair this was! They had denied their love for so long and now that they were finally free to pursue a relationship Sam was...........no! He wouldn't even think the word. She was strong and would pull out of this.
"Sam," he whispered to her "it's me, Jack. I'm here with you. Please hang on. I'll get Thor here, I'll do something, but please don't die. I love you Sam."
Daniel had never heard Jack say those words and it made his stomach twist into a knot. He brushed away a tear and said "Anise has had a couple hours of rest, I'll see if she is ready to try again with the healing device."
Jack just nodded and Daniel walked away quickly.
He returned about 20 minutes later with Anise and Doctor Brightman in tow.
"I am ready to try the healing device again." stated Anise.
Jack moved away from the bed to allow the Doctor and Anise access to Sam. Anise put on the healing device, it began to glow and again she put all her energy into healing Sam.
After a few minutes she shook her head. "Her internal injuries are sever. I am working on healing them, but I can only do so much with a hand held device." After a moment she said, "Doctor Jackson, please take me back to my quarters." and with that Anise and Daniel left the room.
Jack looked hopefully at Doctor Brightman "Did it help?" he asked.
Doctor Brightman took her stethoscope away from Sam's chest. "Anise bought her a little more time. That's all. At this point all we can do is hope that Anise can keep Sam alive until we can contact the Asgard."
Jack rubbed his eyes with the heals of his hands and dropped down in the chair beside Sam's bed.
He didn't know how long he had been sitting there when a voice awakened him from his fitful dozing.
"O'Neill." Teal'c said.
"Teal'c, tell me what happened will ya?"
"There was an ambush waiting for us on P4X-323. The Jaffa had been abandoned there by Yu and they did not know that the system lords had been defeated." Jack just nodded.
"As soon as she realized that we were surrounded, Colonel Carter ordered us to lay down cover fire and told Daniel to dial the gate. Colonel Mitchell objected to her giving a command since he is the CO of SG1. He told us to belay Colonel Carter's order and he ordered her to dial the gate. Daniel Jackson was much closer to the DHD than Colonel Carter was, but she followed Colonel Mitchell's orders. I believe that the delay caused by Colonel Mitchell's orders was responsible for Colonel Carter's injury."
Jack looked at his friend. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. His first impulse was to find Cameron Mitchell and beat the crap out of him.
"Stay with Sam." He said to Teal'c
Teal'c bowed his head and went to sit in the chair beside her bed.
Jack stormed out of the infirmary and headed straight to General Landry's office. He pounded on the door but did not wait for a reply as he let himself into the office.
"Jack." Landry's voice sounded surprised.
"Don't change the subject!" Jack growled. Landry looked confused. "First of all I want to know whose asinine idea it was to give command of SG1 to someone whose first trip off world was 2 months ago, and then I want you to know that it is his fault that Sam is in the infirmary dying!" Jack's face was red with anger.
"What are you talking about?" Landry's voice was beginning to match Jack's in anger.
"There was an ambush waiting for SG1 on that planet. Carter ordered covering fire and told Daniel to dial earth. Mitchell didn't like the fact that Carter beat him to the punch so he told them to belay her order and told her to dial the gate. That delay caused her to hit by a staff weapon blast!" Jack was fuming.
"Where did you get this information?" Landry asked.
"From Teal'c"
"Well, it was not put out at the debrief!" Landry nearly shouted.
"Well, maybe you didn't ask the right questions!" Jack exploded. Then he turned on his heel and headed straight for geek level.
"Felger!" O'Neill called out as he entered the lab.
"General O'Neill, I didn't know you were here." Felger stated.
"Yeah, listen I need the ZPM hooked up to the stargate immediately. I need to go to the Asgard home world and bring back Thor."
"But, General, ah, have you, ah cleared this with General Landry?" queried Felger.
"Fleger, I know you're a scientist and military protocol is not your strong suit, but understand this, General Landry answers to me! Now go hook up the ZPM and meet me in the control room!"
Jack strode out of the lab and headed for the quartermaster. He was still in his dress blues and they definitely were not the correct attire for going off world.
Once at the quartermaster's Jack got properly outfitted with BDU's, an Alice vest, back pack and P-90. Then he headed directly for the control room.
Fleger met him there about 15 minutes later.
"Fleger, what took you so long?" Jack snapped impatiently.
"Well, sir, I had to aline the crystals so that the positive ions were going to the negative ions and make sure that there was no feedback through the........."
"Yeah, right whatever." Jack cut him off. "Just tell me that I've got enough power to get to the Asgard home world."
"You've got it sir."
"Good!" Jack stated "Ok, Walter, initiate the dialing sequence for the Asgard planet."
"Yes, sir!" Walter answered.
As the gate began to spin up Hank Landry came rushing to the control room.
"Who gave you permission to dial the gate!" He demanded.
"That would be me." Jack said. "I am going to fetch Thor to fix Carter."
Hank Landry just stared at Jack with his mouth hanging open. Finally he recovered enough to realize that he was not going to stop his superior officer from doing everything in his power to save a member of SG1 and the woman he loved.
"God speed, General" Hank said in a soft voice.
"Thanks, Hank." Jack replied.
"Chevron 8 is locked sir." Walter looked up at General O'Neill.
"Ok. See ya later." Jack said lightly and headed for the gate room.
Jack stepped through the event horizon and several minutes later stepped out on the Asgard planet.
"Howdy folks!" Jack said.
"O'Neill, why are you here?" the question came from Freya.
"Listen, Freya, we need Thor's help. Colonel Carter was hit by a staff weapon blast from some Jaffa that didn't know that the Gou'alds have been defeated. Anyway, she is, ah.......... dying, and we don't have the technology to save her."
Freya looked up at O'Neill and blinked his large black eyes. After a moment he said "How much time does Colonel Carter have?"
"We're not sure, a few hours, maybe a day....."
"I am afraid it will take Thor too long to get to your planet."
"Freya, you've got to do something! This is Carter we're talkin' about here!" Jack's voice sounded desperate "She's saved your little grey butts from the replicators more than once! Come on! You can do something!"
"You must bring her here, O'Neill. We have even more advanced medical equipment here than on our ships."
"Right." Jack said. "Ok, send me back and I'll be back with her in half an hour." He paused then added "but if I'm not, contact Thor and get him to come to Earth. Our ZPM is kinda jury rigged and I don't know if I'll be able to get back here or not."
Freya nodded and waved his hand. The stargate began dialing the coordinates for earth.
A few minutes later Jack was back in the gate room at the SGC. He went directly to the infirmary. He found Doctor Brightman and told her that he needed Sam on a gurney and a couple corpsmen to take her to the Asgard planet with him.
Doctor Brightman looked at Jack for a moment then began giving orders, taking the monitors off Sam and putting a portable oxygen rig on the gurney and hooking her up to it.
The corpsmen wheeled Sam to the gate room with Jack by her side. Jack looked up to the control room. "Ok, Walter, dial up the Asgard again!"
"Yes, sir." Walter replied into the microphone.
The gate began to spin. It seem to Jack that it was moving in slow motion. He held Sam's hand and looked down at her ashen face and listened to her labored breathing. After what seemed like an eon, he finally heard Walter's voice say "Chevron 8 is locked!"
After the wormhole was established Jack said to the corpsmen "Let's go." and they wheeled Sam toward the glimmering blue light.
Five minutes later Jack was looking down on Freya, still holding Sam's hand. Freya told Jack to wait in the Asgard's version of the gate room while he had the corpsmen wheel Sam to the medical room they had set up for her. The corpsmen had to lift Sam off the gurney and place her in the healing device.
Freya then moved stones around on the control panel and the cover of the healing chamber slid shut with a hissing sound. Freya moved more stones on the panel and a holographic display appeared.
"She is very badly injured. It will take several minutes to heal her and then several more to return her strength." Freya stated to the corpsmen.
"Go tell O'Neill that he may come in here and wait."
One of the corpsmen nodded and went off to find the General.
A few moments later General O'Neill was standing behind Freya, looking at the holographic display, trying to figure out what information it was giving them about Carter's condition. He began to pace back and forth.
"O'Neill, you do not need to worry. She will be fine. It will just take time." Freya stated.
Jack nodded and continued to pace. He stopped occasionally and looked at the holographic display, trying in vain to decipher its meaning. He watched Freya as he monitored the holographic display and moved the stones periodically on the control panel.
After about an hour, there was a click and hiss and the cover of the healing chamber slid open. Jack hurried over to Sam. She opened her eyes and saw Jack looking down at her.
"Whoa, where am I?" She asked.
"The Asgard home world." Jack replied casually.
In a groggy voice she asked "What am I doing here?"
"Do you remember being hit by a staff blast on P4X....something or other?"
"Yeah, vaguely.." she replied.
"Well, Anise kept you alive with the Tok'ra healing device until I got Felger to hook up the ZPM and then I brought you here. Thor was too far away from Earth and Doctor Brightman was afraid you, would, ah......... die before he could get there so I brought you here."
"Wow, Sir." Sam choked out.
"Sir?" He asked.
"Old habits." She said.
"Come on let's get you out of this thing and get you home."
"She will require extra rest and nutrients for awhile." Freya advised.
"Don't worry, Freya, I will take very good care of her." Jack told the Asgard.
Freya led Sam, Jack and the two corpsmen back to the Asgard gate room.
Sam was still weak and Jack helped support her with an arm around her shoulder.
He turned to the diminutive Asgard "Thank you Freya" Jack said in his most sincere voice.
"You are welcome O'Neill" The tiny alien replied.
"Oh, and tell Thor we want him to come to the wedding."
"What wedding!?" Sam asked.
"Well, ours of course."
"Uh, Jack, we haven't talked about any wedding, unless I lost my memory in that incident on P4X-323. Sam stated defiantly.
"Well, it just kinda seemed like the thing to do." The General replied..
"Jack, are you asking me to marry you?"
"Right here in front of the Asgard and everybody." He said. "Lieutenant Colonel Samantha Carter, will you marry me?"
She grinned. "Ya, sure, you betcha!"
Jack kissed her. Freya seemed amused and the two corpsmen couldn't believe their eyes. They had heard rumors about General O'Neill and Colonel Carter, but actually witnessing a marriage proposal! They couldn't wait to get back to the SGC and start spreading the news - and watching the money change hands over bets that had been on the books for years.
"Ok, Freya, send us home." Jack said after the brief kiss.
Freya waved his hand and the rings on the stargate began to move. Once the wormhole had been established Jack became serious and thanked Freya again. Then the 4 earthlings stepped through the event horizon, the corpsmen pushing an empty gurney.
As soon as Sam and Jack stepped into the SGC they heard General Landry's voice. "I need to see you both for a debriefing now." The General stated.
When Sam and Jack entered the briefing room General Landry and the rest of SG1 were already seated around the table.
"Alright, people," Landry began, "it seems that there are some problems between SG1 and Colonel Mitchell. From what I can understand, Colonel Mitchell is being treated like an outsider on SG1 which is what prompted him to countermand Colonel Carter's orders on P4X-323."
He paused, looked around the group, then continued. "On the other hand, I know that the three of you have been together for over 8 years and that Colonel Carter led SG1 for a year. You are angry and upset that she is no longer in charge of SG1."
Teal'c nodded as did Daniel. Sam just looked slightly embarrassed.
"So, I am going to try to straighten this mess out." Landry stated. "Colonel Carter, you are back in charge of SG1. Colonel Mitchell, you may have seniority over Carter, however, she has 8 years of field experience that you do not have. You will be her 2IC. There will also be several missions where Carter's expertise will be required here on earth, working with the Ancient technology. On those occasions the command of SG1 will fall to Colonel Mitchell and I expect the two of you," he looked directly at Daniel and Teal'c "to follow Mitchell's orders. I believe this is the best solution for everyone and one that all of you can live with."
Landry looked around at the group again.
"Yes, sir." Mitchell said. Although he was upset at no longer being the CO of SG1 he knew this was for the best. He had nearly gotten Carter killed just to prove that he was in charge.
"I concur." Stated Teal'c.
"Uh, yeah, me too." Said Daniel.
"Colonel Carter, are you satisfied with my decision?" the General asked.
"Yes, sir. I am very pleased." She replied with a big Carter smile.
"Well, now that everything is worked out, do you mind if I take my fiancee home?" Jack asked. "The Asgard said she will need a lot of rest and care before she is 100 percent."
Everyone turned to look at Jack and Sam. Sam's face turned red. Daniel's mouth was hanging open.
Even Teal'c looked somewhat perplexed.
"Fiancee?" Daniel squeaked out.
"When did this happen O'Neill?" Teal'c wanted to know.
"Oh, just before we returned from the Asgard home world. I imagine the entire base knows by now since there were two corpsmen present when I proposed to Sam." Jack was quite pleased with himself.
Sam was smiling ear to ear, but still did not say anything.
Teal'c nodded "I am pleased for you both. You have waited a long time for this."
Hank Landry smiled and stood up. "This briefing is concluded. Please take your fiancee home General."
Jack smiled, stood up, took Sam's hand and said "Come on, let's go home."
She smiled and followed him out the door.
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Command Decisions
by LJEvansStory Bemerkung:
I based this story on what little we know of season 9 and how I want TPTB to wrap up Sam and Jack's relationship. Read my story "Changes" for a pre-quell to this story.Site Navigation
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