Confirming Carter Bk. 03 Changes Ch. 03

"Because Elizabeth Weir, Carson Beckett, John Sheppard, and everyone else that wrote a report about their dealings with you said that you were an honorable man, and would do what was in the best interest of your people." Tammy said, smiling at him softly. "And I saw you with Dahlia when we sent her home. That alone told me what kind of man you are."

"Tell me why." Radim said. "Why do you go to so much effort for people you do not even know, will never even see? What do you stand to gain from this?"

"To answer the first part of your question, we're doing this because someone should do it, and we're in a position where we can do it, or at least get it started. We may not live to see our plans completed." Tammy told him. "You'll have to come back if you want an answer to the second part, because that answer is long, and complicated."

"We've been over here almost an hour, and really should be getting back." Andi said as she stood up. "Phrenum and Colak are probably getting worried about what we've done to you by now."

"Phrenum hopes you'll kill me, so he can succeed me." Radim laughed. "And Colak will lick the boots of whoever replaces me to keep his position of power. But you're right, we should get back. Dahlia will be worried that I have stayed this long."

Interior-Bedroom

2330 Hours

They'd gone back over to the dining room and apologized to the rest of their guests for being away so long, then sat and talked while they had dessert. When the talk died down, they went down to the gate room with their visitors and said their goodbyes.

* * * * *

"You were wonderful tonight." Sam laughed as she snuggled close to Tammy, hugging her gently. "You handled Radim perfectly. I wasn't sure about telling him about what we did with the Wraith, but I think it will work out for us."

"I really didn't have any choice, Sam." Tammy said. "I was sitting here reading through the files and listening to you, and the longer I listened, the more convinced I was that you were going to end the meeting by killing him. You'll have to have Andi play the video for you."

"I wasn't that bad, was I?"

"Yes, you were. Ladon was right, everything you said was either an insult or a threat, even the way you introduced people." Tammy said. "The way you were going, if they had managed to get out alive, there was no way they were going to agree to anything. It was almost like you were trying to provoke them, to make them do something."

"You may be right, I did go in there with an attitude." Sam said rolling over on her back and throwing her arm over her eyes. "That 'so called queen of Atlantis' crack he opened with just pissed me off."

"I'm more disappointed with our people, especially Andi and John, for letting you go on like that." Tammy said, laying her hand on Sam's stomach, rubbing it gently. "Arrin and Pharris didn't help either, they just kept throwing gas on the fire. And don't even get me started on Larrin! Good god! What was she thinking? She..."

"Andi wasn't in the room, she was in the kitchen, and I don't think John knew what to do." Sam said as she rolled over, propping herself up on her elbows. "I think he signaled me a couple times, and I know Teyla was tugging on my pants leg when I was standing next to her."

"And you just ignored them." Tammy said. "Oh, before I forget, you need to apologize to Teal'c in the morning. I'm glad he stayed over, if only for that."

"I guess you're right, I dragged him over here, then didn't spend any time with him." Sam said. "But it worked out in the end, don't you think? Like I said, you handled Radim beautifully, almost like you were reading his mind."

"I think I was a couple of times." Tammy said, reaching down and pulling Sam up so she could hold her. "Elizabeth and Carson both made detailed notes on him, and Elizabeth had video clips in hers, so I got to see his reactions to different stimulus. That helped alot."

She looked over at Sam as she spoke again.

"Is this how we're going to do things?" She asked. "You hit them with the big stick, and I sooth their bruised egos?"

"God, I hope not." Sam said softly, rolling over and putting her arms around her.

"I didn't like it when Bra'tac said it, but the warrior queen thing just felt so right tonight." She smiled at Tammy, and kissed her gently. "And you did say you would act as the conscience of our fair city in all things..."

(-)

So ends Chapter Three of Book Three, Changes. Read Chapter Four to see what happens next.

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