Silenced Screams

Chapter Fifteen

Jack was out of his bed and in Sam's room, gun drawn and searching for Sam's attacker, before his mind could fully register what stimuli had triggered his panic. Even in the low light that was streaming in through her bedroom window Jack could see the peaceful expression on her face as she slept. Searching for what had torn him from his sleep, he cursed loudly as his eyes finally fell to the television just as the terrorized damsel screamed again. Continuing to curse for the fear the program had caused him, he lowered and safetied his weapon as he moved to turn the television off.

He was caught completely off guard when he was tackled to the ground, falling in a tangle of arms and legs and trying to roll and pin his attacker below him. His moment of lapse should not have given his intruder the advantage he seem to have over him.

Every move he made was anticipated and countered. The fight only lasted seconds, his body instinctively recognizing the feel of her body and fighting style.

"Damn it Carter, ease up, it's just me!" He shouted trying to make himself known.

If he hadn't been sure before, he was now; she was more than capable of defending herself. He pitied the fool who tried to take her on in hand to hand combat.

"Sir? What are you doing in here? I thought..."

"Yeah, I got that. Now do you mind...damn that hurt...where'd you learn that move?"

"I'm sorry, I thought..."

She continued to stammer as she stood and offered her hand to help him to his feet, until her eyes fell to his gun laying next to him.

"Sir?" She asked, totally confused.


"I heard screaming coming from your room."

He tried to explain pointing toward the television..

"Oh, sorry. I must've fallen asleep during the news. I didn't mean to leave it on all night. I'm sorry if it woke you."

She could understand his panic hearing screams coming from her room. But she'd felt so safe and secure with him nearby that she dropped her guard and for the first time in a very long time; she'd allowed herself to fall into a deep, sound sleep. She wasn't sure she wanted to admit that to him. He'd never allow her to return to her own home if he knew just how frightened she was all the time.

"No problem Carter. Just try not to do that to an old man's heart too often. Not sure I can take too many of those" He said, trying to lighten the mood and put her mind at ease. Of course, he was the one who'd been scared to death, so maybe she should be the one trying to calm him. Moving back to the door, he realized that in his haste to rescue her, he hadn't bothered to dress and now they both stood in her bedroom in nothing but their underwear.

"Sir..." she began, waiting until he turned to face her. "Thank you. I feel very safe being here with you". She finally conceded.

"Anytime Carter. Anytime."

They signed in the next morning, looking well rested and in much better spirits, leaving a very confused airman in their wake. After hearing the horror story from the night before the poor airman had been prepared to face down a fate worst than a legion of Goa'uld and their Jaffa armies. But the
'Big Bad Mean 'Major' was nothing more than a purring kitten, smiling broadly and brightening everyone's day. He should have known Rogers was pulling his leg. He'd only been around for a month, but he knew that description of Major Carter couldn't be right. Not the Major Carter he'd come to know and secretly love. He watched as the two officers entered the elevator and disappeared deep into the bowels of the SGC. Roger's had to be crazy to think anyone would ever believe the monster he'd described could be their Major Carter.

Jack could hear Daniel's voice even before the elevator doors opened. Already talking at warp speed to Teal'c, who was silently following at his side, headed toward the commissary. It was simply too early in the morning for Jack's brain to try to process 'hyper-Daniel speak.' Jack was sure he'd been main-lining caffeine all night to be able to carry on like that.


"Daniel! Breathe! I swear your brain's gonna shrivel up and die if you don't stop and breath sometimes."

He didn't have to understand every word to know what had Daniel so keyed up. He just didn't want his day spoiled with more of Daniel's crazy theories. They had already wasted enough of their time chasing his false leads. Something told him he should have gotten off on Carter's floor. Watching her set up her experiments and test had to be better than this. He was just not ready to deal with Daniel this early in the morning.

"Jack are you even listening to me? Did you hear a word I said?" Daniel asked, falling into to step beside Jack and leaving Teal'c to follow after them.

"No. I didn't. Who the hell could with you rattling on like that? What could possibly be so important at this hour?

"Jack...I said McKenzie thinks he may have made a breakthrough with Adam." Daniel said, trying to get Jack to see the importance of the breakthrough.

It might just be the break they needed to bring the whole nightmare to an end.

When Sam finally joined the team for breakfast she found Daniel and Jack already deep into their debate. It was the same argument every time they were together. Trying to short circuit what usually ended in a shouting match, she inquired of Daniel "Why is Dr. McKenzie in this early?"

"He tried hypnotizing Adam last night, and he thought a second personality emerged. So he wanted to be near by if it happened again."

Daniel was only too glad to explain, sure his theory was close to bearing fruit. He was sure Adam held the answer to finding and capturing Sam's attacker.

"He's a waste of our time. How many times do I have to tell you that? He doesn't know anything and even if he does you'll never get it out of him. What good is it gonna do us now to know where this man went? He's definitely not there now. The only chance we've got now is to catch him following Sam. He's gotta be nearby to know what she's doing all the time."

Jack had his own theory on the way to apprehend Sam's attacker. One that he knew from experience stood a far better chance for actually capturing their suspect.

This was an old argument they'd had a million times since this all began. Daniel was sure Adam held their answer while Jack was equally sure they could find her attacker by turning his own technique back on him. Following Sam would also mean they were following the man stalking her. By the process of elimination they'd be able to narrow their search. He would be somewhere in the background and they'd be able to identity him. As good as Sam's day had started, she didn't want to have to sit through this all over again.

"Guys, maybe there's a compromise. Maybe..."

Jack cut her off before she could even finish the sentence. "There's no compromise with Daniel. It's his way or no way."

"Oh, like you can talk Jack. You're not the only one worried about Sam here. You're not the only person that can protect her. And you're not the only person to decide what's best for her". Daniel shot back as his temper continued to rise.

"Daniel, what could you possibly know about stuff like this. You've spent your entire life digging in the dirt...studying rocks. News flash, you're not gonna find this man studying rocks and digging around inside some crazy man's head for a memory that's already useless to us."

Jack was practically shouting.

"The only way to catch this man is to get down and dirty just like him. Your book smarts aren't gonna solve this one."

Sam had had all she could take of their arguing. She had enough stress in her life without them adding to it.

"Here's a news flash for both of you. This is my life. I can take care of myself. I'm not some helpless damsel waiting for you to protect me."

Turning and storming out, Sam's outburst caught everyone's attention. She knew she was being insubordinate, but she'd taken all she could of their fighting. She was suffocating under their protectiveness, their control. She wasn't helpless but for some reason they both seemed to have forgotten.

The confused look on both Jack and Daniel's face was almost comical, as they were blindsided by her attitude.

"What the hell was that all about?" Jack finally asked.

"I believe Major Carter wishes some control over her life, and neither you O'Neill nor Daniel Jackson seem willing to allow it." Teal'c informed both men, since neither seemed aware of their part in her distress.

"And you know this, how?" Jack asked, curious as to how he could seem so confident of his opinion.

"I asked." Was Teal'c's simple reply,leaving both men speechless.

Several minutes passed before Jack ventured to question him further.

"So, what else has Carter told you?"

Finishing the last of his breakfast and pushing his tray aside he filled both men in on what Major Carter had been trying to tell them for several days.

He'd watched fascinated as each man became more and more convinced his approach was best and their overprotective instinct grew stronger.

"Major Carter has her own ideas for capturing her attacker. She has attempted numerous times to explain them ... only to be dismissed. Major Carter is a formidable warrior. She has proven herself countless times on the battlefield. You do her great dishonor dismissing her and her opinions
on this matter."

Feeling properly chastised, and realizing just how much their actions had hurt Sam, Daniel was the first to move to follow and apologize.

Teal'cs' voice stopped him before he'd fully risen.

"In her current state it might be to your advantage to allow more time to pass" he warned.

"Yea, she didn't sound like we'd be her favorite people right now. " Daniel conceded.

"Speak for yourself. I didn't do anything. She was mad at you." Jack said defensively.

"Yeah right Jack. You're the one who's been pulling rank and ordering..."

"It is this very problem she spoke of. If you are to be of any help to her you will need to cease your disagreement and listen. Hear what she has to say. This is after all her life and she deserves some control over it" Teal'c pointed out before gathering his tray and leaving the commissary.

He had done all he could to push them in the right direction. For a people as advanced as the Tauri, Teal'c was forever amazed by the double standards they held toward the female of the species. They spoke of the equality of the sexes but failed to live up to it on a daily basis.

They allowed Sam her space and time as Teal'c had suggested.

They found her several hours later, as they expected, buried in work in her lab. She could have made it a lot harder for them when they came to apologize but she understood they'd only wanted to protect her the best way they knew how. Intellectually they knew she was more than capable of protecting herself...that she was every bit the soldier of any man. But their natural protectiveness toward her blinded them to that fact. Didn't allow them to see what their actions were doing to her. They were doing her a 'great dishonor' as Teal'c had phrased it. And that fact was proven as they listened to her layout her plan to identity her attacker.

Jack was forced to acknowledge that some where along the way he had stopped seeing her as his strong second in command and more as his second chance to right all the wrongs he'd made with Sahara.

But Sam wasn't Sahara.

She was every bit the soldier he was. Even in a situation as traumatic as this, she was still able to be the strong soldier he'd come to depend on in the field. And if he were completely honest her plan was better than either his or Daniel's. Searching her military past for anyone fitting their profile should have been the first thing they'd done, and exactly what she and Teal'c were doing. But he'd been so emotionally involved he hadn't been thinking straight. He'd been so wrapped up fighting his own demons that he'd failed her.

But not again.

She'd been right when she said all their plans had merit and that each plan could help achieve their overall goal - capturing her attacker. He'd been so sure he knew what was best for her that he hadn't been willing to listen to anyone else's idea. He would not make that mistake again. He had already
called in a favor from an old black ops buddy, and now Sam's leads would give him a good place to start.

Meanwhile he had promised he would join the others observing Adam's next session with McKenzie.

Daniel had been there for every session so far and was sure he'd recognized some of the words Adam had been rambling on about last night. They gathered and watched as Dr. McKenzie took Adam through the relaxation exercises before hypnotizing him. His first words sounded the same as they had heard before.

He went on from the personality they all recognized, describing landmarks and places Sam soon realized were markers of her neighborhood; billboards, the park, children playing. McKenzie continued to question him, trying to direct him toward the alley they'd found him. It didn't take long to see the transformation as a different personality emerged.

Everything from his mannerism to his speech changed.

His eyes became frantic, constantly searching the room, seeking any means of escape, a place to hide. His voice lowered to a frightened whisper as he dropped from his chair - hiding first under the table then from corner to corner. Huddling and making himself as small as possible. You could see and feel the fear radiating from him as he mumbled some unintelligible words over and over before continuing on in his chase.

"He's coming ... footsteps, footsteps coming closer ... every where. They're every where...closer, must hide. Hide...must not be caught ... running, coming this way...will be caught...caught and punished... punished ...hurt...pain...they're coming...pain...more pain...darkness...dark..."

He continued to rant - going on and on.

Daniel's voice broke into on the quiet that had descended in their room.

"That!" He explained, as Adam began repeating the phrase he'd heard last night. "I know I've heard that before."

He looked from one to the other of his team for confirmation.

"I've heard it too." Sam agreed racking her brain for it's origin. Finally it dawned on her.

"Colonel, I heard you mumble those words in your sleep off-world. When you..."

She was cut short by the expression on the Colonel's face. All the color had drained from his face and his eyes had lost focus. You could see the fear clearly written on his face as he fought some unseen demon. The expression was frightening, but only lasted a few seconds before his mask was back in
place and he was the man she'd known again.

But it was enough for Sam.

She could see the struggle it had taken for him to bury that fear and that had frightened her more than anything she'd ever experienced.

Nothing ever got to the Colonel. But this had. Before she had a chance to question him he was out of the room.

"Colonel! Colonel!"

She knew he'd heard her, but he hadn't slowed his pace. He wasn't going to talk to her. Whatever had affected him he was going bury along with every thing else he didn't want to deal with.

Breaking into a run she closed the distance and caught up with him.

"Not now Carter." He shouted before she was able to question him.

"But Colonel..."

Drilling her with a look she'd seen many times aimed at their enemy, she froze in her tracks. She had never expected to see it turned on her. His rage was barely contained, his knuckles white as he fought to contain and bury the feeling she'd seen in that booth.

"What part of 'not now' don't you get Carter?" He screamed before turning and disappearing down the hall.

Sam stood in shock. Never had he spoken to her in that manner.

Just a few hours ago he'd pledged to be by her side and help her, and now he was screaming at her.

No one else had followed them out of the observation booth and for that she was grateful; she wasn't sure she could face the others right now. But it wouldn't be long before someone sought them out. She had to get away. She knew she was being too emotional, but that didn't stop the pain he'd caused.

Without even realizing it she found herself speeding away from the mountain on her bike. The last thing she needed in this weather was to be out riding, but she needed some time to herself. She was just grateful her bike had still been in the lot. A few hours of riding her favorite trail would settle
her nerves and clear her head. She'd be out and back before anyone realized she'd left.

She always felt so free on her Indian with the chilling breeze beating in her face and the wind blowing through her hair. She knew the Colonel hadn't meant to hurt her, she'd seen the look in his eyes as Adam continued to rant. Adam's words had triggered something in the Colonel's past that he'd thought buried forever, until now. She shouldn't have pushed. She should have known better. He just needed some time alone, exactly as she did right now. A break from all the stress of the last few weeks.

She allowed her mind the freedom to wander as was only possible when she rode her bike. Her logical analytical mind was always at work on one problem or another every waking moment. But not so when she took her bike out. It was the only time in her life she allowed her mind to flow random and uncontrolled. The only time not planned, organized and structured to perform a certain way.

She continued down the mountain path enjoying the beautiful countryside, untouched by mankind; it's beauty found in it's simplicity. Snow covered the road and trees as far as the eye could see nothing but open country. And freedom. She had no reaction time as she rounded the bend to a giant boulder blocking her path. Swiveling and losing control on the icy road, she plowed down the side embankment tossing turning and rolling trying to stay away from her bike to minimize the damage from the bike as she continued down the mountainside.

Landing over a mile below at the bottom of the deep ravine and breathing hard she took a minute to access her injuries. She'd been very lucky. She could've been killed from a fall like that.

She chided herself, she'd been so caught up in the feel of her ride she hadn't paid any attention to her surrounding...or who might have been following her...what trap she might be riding right into. Finally gathering her strength she moved over to her bike the damage was too great, she wouldn't be riding it out of here and night was fast approaching. It would be totally dark before she could climb out and then she'd have to hike several miles back to the main road for any hope of help. It had already started to snow heavily again. Searching the area around where she'd landing and all around the wreckage she finally gave up hope of finding her cell phone and began to slow climb back up to the road.

Reaching blindly from one hand hold to the next she could feel the temperature dropping as night closed in completely around her. She knew she needed to move faster but the combination of the bumps and bruises she'd taken and the cold weather was draining all her strength. She knew that if she didn't get to safety soon she'd die of hypothermia.

“Are you are right?” Sam heard the voice calling from above and breathed a sigh of relief. Her strength was almost non existent. She knew that even after she'd made it back up the road she'd still have a long hike ahead of her. Very few people traveled this road, it's what made it so ideal to ride her bike. So this stranger was her salvation.

“Major Carter, can you hear me?”

Gripped anew by fear she froze hugging the side of the cliff and willing her strength not to fail.

"Major Carter can you hear me? I know you're down there. Answer me. You need my help. You're gonna freeze to death if you don't let me help you. Say something."

The voice continued to taunt her.

She felt trapped. She couldn't stay huddled against this mountain forever, but she just couldn't deliver herself over to him without putting up a fight. She'd been beyond stupid coming out here alone. No one even knew where she was, assuming they had finally noticed she was gone. She could
hear his slow descent down toward her. It wouldn't be long now. She could feel her fear rising. Oh she might be a Major in the United States Air Force but that did nothing to reduce her fear. She had suffered at this man's hands, not once but twice and she was not looking forward to a repeat performance. But she was completely out of options.

"I'm down here." She acknowledged reaching out and taking hold of his hand and sealing her future.


To Be Continued...


~~Please take a moment to tell me what you think. Reviews are very much appreciated.
~~Zhaan