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 A Prophecy of Shadows

Chapter 3

Jack looked at the reports in front of him, detailing the results of the tests. "Absolutely nothing?"

Janet stood with her hands clasped behind her back. "No, Sir. In addition to the basic metabolic profile, serum chemistries, toxicology studies, enhanced EKG and CT scans, I performed extended EEG monitoring. There were no abnormalities whatsoever in any member of SG-7."

He sighed heavily. "So what in the hell is causing the blip when they go through the 'gate?"

"Actually, Sir, I have a theory regarding that," Sam replied.

"I’m all ears; whatcha got?"

"Well, this is only a possibility, going on the assumption that Jessie is responsible for the anomaly. As you know, when someone has been a host for a symbiote, they carry a naquadah residual from it, even after the symbiote dies or has been removed. Maybe something along the same lines is happening here—the nanites left some kind of residual behind that’s causing the blip."

Jack considered what she said for a moment. "Is that possible, since all the tests have come back negative?"

Janet glanced at Sam before answering. "Considering we don’t know much about the technology regarding the nanites which infiltrated Jessie, I think it’s a fair assumption there could be something beyond the scope of what our tests are designed to detect."

"Then again," Sam interjected, "this is still just speculation. The blip doesn’t occur every time they go through the 'gate, and there’s nothing definitive that points to Jessie."

Jack sat back in his chair, weighing what had been said. "Is the 'gate safe to use?"

Sam didn’t hesitate. "Yes."

He nodded. "In your opinion, is Jessie harmless?"

That brought a slightly longer pause as the two women looked at each other as if to reaffirm their beliefs. Janet spoke first. "There are no nanites detectable whatsoever, and she’s passed all the psychological and physical tests I’ve subjected her to."

"From my personal observations, there hasn’t been any indication of anything wrong. She’s just…Jessie," Sam finished with a shrug.

"Okay. For the time being, we’ll continue to operate as usual. But," he said, looking directly at Sam, "I want daily diagnostics run on the 'gate, as well as a detailed analysis anytime any team comes or goes. If there’s anything unusual, I want to know about it immediately."

"Yes, Sir."

Neither Sam nor Janet said a word until they were well down the hallway from Jack’s office. "Residual?" Janet asked.

"It’s the only logical thing I can come up with at the moment." Sam looked behind them, making sure they were alone. "So no hidden nanites, or possible regeneration?"

"My professional opinion? No." They walked a bit further before Janet voiced her true thoughts. "Maybe Murphy’s law won’t rear its head on this one."

Jessie was propped up in bed, staring at the two plane tickets in her hand, trying to wrap her mind around what Cam was saying.

"Your birthday’s coming up, and I wanted to do something special."

"But…"

"No buts." Cam grinned at the exasperated look on her face. "When was the last time you saw your parents?" He watched as Jessie opened her mouth, then closed it, her forehead wrinkling in thought. "That alone tells me it’s been too long. The earth isn’t going to stop spinning if we take a little vacation." Reaching out, he brushed a lock of hair from her forehead. "That is, if you don’t mind me tagging along."

Jessie took advantage of him leaning over her, quickly snaking her arm out and pulling him down onto the bed next to her, maneuvering until she was leaning over him. "Of course I want you with me. I…it’s just…I guess life gets in the way sometimes, with studies, travel…work. I hadn’t realized how long it had been since I actually saw Mom and Dad."

"Well then, it’s settled. We get a little away time, and you get to catch up with your parents."

Jessie set the tickets down on the nightstand. "We’ll have to see if we can get off the rotation at work."

"Already taken care of. I talked to General Hammond as well as Jack. We’re free and clear until two days after we get back from Texas."

"Been a busy beaver, have we?"

"More than you realize," he said with a chuckle.

Jessie gazed down at Cam, noting the sparkle in his eyes, the way they crinkled in the corners when he smiled, and for a second saw something more…wondered if it was just her imagination playing tricks on her. Pushing that thought aside, she smiled back. "So, have you already taken care of the accommodations, too?"

"Yep."

She waited for a moment. "And?"

"And what?"

Jessie let out an exasperated sigh. "Accommodations, Mitchell. Where will we be staying?"

A wicked grin was her answer. "You’ll see when we get there." And easily flipped her over onto her back when she tried to tickle him in retaliation. "Impatient woman—it’s a surprise, okay?"

"Umph."

Cam laughed before leaning in for a kiss. "It’ll be worth the wait…I promise." Jessie had to be satisfied with that answer, but the thought of being put out was soon pushed aside as she lost herself in his kiss.

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