Jack and Sam left the base together to look at the two houses that Sam had found advertised on the internet that would fit their budget, their lifestyle, and was big enough to accommodate them and their hopes for their future.
Sam was beginning to realize how specific their ideal house was by the time she and Jack had viewed the second house they planned to look at that day, but she refused to settle for just any old house that happened to be large enough. Visions of the house that Pete had bought for her swam in her head, and though beautiful, she had immediately felt that it wasn't the house for her. Living in such a house made her future stretch before her in a way that had driven her to Jack's place to talk to him later that very afternoon. So now, a beautiful house was just a beautiful, but empty, house to her if it didn't come with everything that she and Jack wanted in a place to live in. House-hunting was already becoming harder than she thought it would be.
Jack drove Sam back to the SGC when they had finished viewing both houses, instantly deciding that both houses weren't for them.
Have patience,
Jack counseled when Sam looked as if
she were disappointed in what they had viewed that afternoon.
Sam morosely commented, I guess I was just expecting this
to be easier, like jumping off a rock, or falling off your
bicycle. Sort of like we would just walk right into the perfect
house for us.
She sighed, feeling deflated. Then she
glanced over at him. Pretty silly of me, wasn't it?
Jack had to grin as he issued his own answering sigh.
We'll find something, don't you worry,
he said, taking her
hand in his for a momentary squeeze.
Just then, Sam's cell phone, which was again turned on, rang from her coat pocket.
Jack scowled. Now what?
he asked, taking his hand
away so that she could answer her phone. Tell Daniel that we
already wrote out an announcement, and that we're headed back now
to work on the guest list.
He grunted as they turned to the
road that would ultimately take them to the Cheyenne Mountain
complex. He doesn't have to bug us anymore.
Sam was about to answer her incessantly ringing phone when
Jack suddenly got a mischievous glint in his eye. His scowl
turned into a decidedly twisted grin. Better yet, tell Daniel
that not only are we talking about sex, but we're talking about
it while we're doing it.
Sam laughed. I'm not telling Daniel any such thing! He
won't be able to look at either of us for a week without
blushing!
Jack's grin twisted even further. I know,
he said,
that wicked glint now in both eyes.
Sam laughed again. You're terrible!
she proclaimed
as she answered her phone. Carter,
she got out on a
giggle. And if this is Daniel, I'm supposed to tell you that
Jack and I are doing more than just talking about sex this
time!
Sam grinned some more as she listened, then the smile
was instantly wiped off her face as she straightened in her seat.
Penny!
she gulped on a shout.
Jack immediately took note of her straighter posture, and
what that posture indicated. Who?
he softly queried,
wanting to know what was going on.
My sister-in-law,
Sam told him in an undertone.
She's Mark's wife.
She quickly turned her attention back
to her phone conversation as Jack mouthed an 'ah' of
understanding at her, and kept driving as Sam talked. Sorry,
go on,
Sam said to Penny through her cell phone.
Sam?
Penny Carter asked over the line. Her tone of
voice told of her curiosity as well as the concern she was
feeling. What the heck's happening? I've been trying to call
you for fifteen minutes. I even called that place where you
work, only they told me that you were out looking at houses with
some guy named 'The General.' Isn't The General your father?
And Pete's no General, but he is your fianc‚ last I heard!
And now, after all this phoning around, I'm getting as irritated
as Mark said that he was when he called me awhile ago, cursing up
a blue streak about little sisters, men in general, and all of
your men in particular,
she informed in exasperation. I
barely understood what Mark said, he was so mad... something
about a bed.
She paused to issue a long-suffering sigh over
the line. And we both know that Mark hasn't been this angry
since he and I got married.
She sighed for a second time.
So, I'll try not to get mad... I told Mark that I would call
you instead of him calling you just so that he can tell you off.
I figured that this way, I can find out what the heck's going
on.
A rustling sound came over the line as it sounded like
she sat down in her office chair. Penny was getting down to
business, and quickly. Okay, out with it... Are you getting
married, who are you marrying if you are getting married, and
what are you thinking, getting married this close to your dad's
funeral?
Sam sighed after letting Penny vent like she had. Penny,
I'm sorry that you feel so confused,
she began. I... I
know that's partly my fault...
Penny broke in, I can say that it's all your
fault, Sam, but I doubt that would convince you to tell me what's
going on.
Sam had to give a little grin at Penny's pseudo-accusatory
statement. She sighed herself, the sad sound filling up the cab
of the truck. I'd be happy to tell you what's been going on,
but...
Don't you dare tell me it's classified,
Penny harshly
stated, interrupting.
Sam grimaced. I have to tell you that some of it's
classified.
Sam!
Penny growled. Then she said, I'm beginning
to see why Mark was so angry this afternoon when he called
to...
Sam interrupted this time. That's not all he was angry
about, Penny,
she said with a note of despair in her
voice.
Always attuned to Sam and the mood she was in at any given moment whether he liked it or not, Jack immediately picked up on her sense of despair, and decided that he'd heard enough of this family torture that Sam was voluntarily putting herself through. He reached out a hand to grab Sam's phone as he pulled up to the gate guarding the mountain military complex.
Sam quickly said into her phone, Penny, I'm really sorry,
but we've reached the Mountain, and unlike Jack, I don't have a
nice warm body of a General taking over for me, so I really need
to get back to work. Do you mind talking to Jack for a minute...
or an hour?
The suspicion in Penny's voice came in loud and clear, now,
even through a phone connection. Who's Jack?
she asked in
distrust.
Sam meekly replied, He's my fianc‚.
Your..!
Penny gave a heavy, fully aggravated gush of
air this time. Sam, you better start explaining, and
I...
Jack could hear every word that Sam's relative said to her
over the phone, as Penny wasn't exactly keeping her voice down.
Deciding again that he had heard enough, he simply plucked the
phone away from Sam's ear, kissed her cheek, whispered, Bye
beautiful. Get going... see you later. Save the world for
me.
Sam gave a huff, first at him taking over her phone
conversation so decisively without asking her first, and then,
just as quickly, she felt grateful to him for taking on her angry
relatives like he was. So, saying nothing, Sam let Jack take her
cell phone and opened the door of his truck. Before she fully
handed her phone over to Jack, she said, Penny, here's
Jack.
She paused, then added, And play nice!
Then
she was gone. The truck door slammed shut behind her.
Jack lifted the phone to his ear, but saw a sight that stilled his greeting. The soldiers on guard duty asked to see Sam's new engagement ring, and she looked embarrassed at how eager she seemed to show it to them, if Jack could judge by the smile now gracing her face. She finished signing her name on the sign-in clipboard that they handed to her, then presented them with her left hand for inspection over the counter separating them. Jack couldn't hear what any member of the group was saying, of course, but he could imagine, as Sam's smile only grew bigger at the guards' unheard commentary.
Jack watched grown soldiers gently holding Sam's fingers,
but a moment later, he heard Penny inquire, This Jack...
General fellow... you there?
Then came an angry huff of air
again. I'm really getting a tad antsy over here,
she
warned.
Jack recalled the phone he held, then put it to his ear and
replied, Are you sure that you're not the General in this
scenario? 'Cause you sure have the sound of a very irritated
General down pat.
Jack? General Jack?
Penny queried, just sounding
confused now.
Hey, good name,
Jack complimented. I like
it.
Okay, Jack... General Jack,
Penny declared. Tell
me what the heck's going on.
Jack peered back at Sam animatedly talking to the guards on
duty. Well, at the moment,
he said, drawling his answer,
Samantha's showing off her engagement ring to a bunch of
soldiers on guard duty, and she has them so wrapped around her
little finger that they'd roll over and play dead for her if
she'd only just ask them to do it. If she can do that to
Marines...
Jack thought fast... Yeah, SG-6, a team of
Marines, had pulled guard duty that day. He went on, Anyway,
she can do anything. I am in sooooooo much trouble!
Miracle of miracles, Penny Carter laughed. First of all,
welcome to the Carter family, in case this is all true, and yes,
you are in trouble, Mark's going to thump you within an inch of
your military little butt, and...
Did Samantha ever tell you that I'm too old and gray to
have my military butt trounced?
Jack asked with as calm a
voice as he could. And Mark doesn't have to feel like he has
to take over the family tradition of trouncing all of Samantha's
fianc‚s, ya know.
Penny sounded like she was grinning into her phone in
California, and said, Oh, making puddles out of Sam's fianc‚'s
bodies is too ingrained in Carter men to give up the tradition
now. Mark has an illustrious calling to fulfill.
Jack grimaced. Well, tell him to fulfill it on someone
else, that my poor old body is already too battered... he has to
leave something left over for Samantha to batter.
Okay, General Jack, how old are we talking about
here?
Penny very inelegantly questioned. You might as
well tell me all the dirty details, 'cause if you don't tell me
now, Mark will just torture them out of you later, and...
That torture stuff,
Jack quipped. Soooo
overrated!
As if you know!
Penny hooted over the line.
Jack grew more quiet as he softly declared, Oh, I know
more about that than you think.
Penny gave an appreciative snort. You sound like you
do know something about...
Jack cut her off. So does Samantha, but don't tell her I
told you. She might kick my... my... how did you put it?... my
'little military butt' all the way out to your place.
From Colorado?
Penny asked.
Hey,
Jack said with a shrug sounding in his voice.
Samantha would be plenty mad at me for telling you torture
information in the first place to easily kick me all the way to
California.
Then he thought for a minute. Actually, she
could probably do it even if she wasn't mad at me.
Then he thought some more. Actually, I like her not being mad
at me at all. Maybe we shouldn't give her this idea in the first
place.
Penny laughed again into her phone. I think I'm gonna
like you, General Jack. I hate to say this, but that Pete friend
of Mark's always kind of left me feeling a little awkward. I
mean, not everyone understands my sense of humor right away... or
at all.
Jack winced again. And speaking of...
God, he
couldn't say the name! Of What'shisname,
he ended. Then,
he finally explained the situation. Look, Penny, I'm at the
outside of the base right now, having just dropped Sam off so she
can display her engagement ring for all to see. I promise to
tell you all about what's been going on... or at least, I'll tell
you what I can tell you... But right now I need to pay attention
to my driving, and not talking on the phone about potentially
accident-causing issues. Samantha will have my hide if I die in
an accident now.
Penny laughed again from her office in
California. Jack went on, Mind if I call you back in about
twenty minutes or so? Do you have a number you can give
me?
Uh... sure,
Penny answered at last. You can call
my office phone, then we won't have that annoying potential for
service cutting out all the time. The number's (619)555-4239.
I'll be waiting.
Jack wrote furiously on the tiny notepad that he kept in his
glove compartment. Just give me a few minutes,
he said to
Penny as he finished writing. I'll call back when I get home,
then we'll talk,
he promised.
Later,
Penny said, then hung up.
Jack sighed, then snapped Sam's cell phone shut, and left it on the passenger seat for her to find when next she rode in his truck. Then he turned his vehicle towards his house as he saw Sam disappear through the bunker door and into the Mountain.
As he drove, he thought about Sam's sister-in-law, her quirky sense of humor, and the way she and Mark were going to have to be mighty understanding over the next few weeks in order to get through this whole wedding fiasco. In Penny's favor was that he had never found someone besides Samantha whom he could emotionally open up to so quickly. Most people made him feel awkward and uncomfortable when feelings were mentioned. But he felt like he could say anything to either Samantha, and now her sister-in-law... well, classified issues notwithstanding.
It remained to be seen if he would feel so welcome around her brother Mark, though. Mark's disdain for anything military was as legendary to him as Mark had always been. Sam's stories of her brother had only recently become even remotely friendly, and Jack suspected that Jacob merging with Selmac had a lot to do with that.
But Jacob was no longer alive, and couldn't act as a buffer between Mark and his sister's choice in future husbands. The fact that Sam had rejected a good personal friend of Mark's had to hurt. The timing of this entire event could be better, Jack admitted to himself, but there wasn't much he could do about it. He figured that he was already doing what he could by seeming to be giving up his entire life to marry Sam and ensure that the timeline remained intact. The fact that this marriage was hardly going to be a hardship to him, or to her, was only known to a few select people right now.
And that group of a 'few select people' was never going to grow any larger if he didn't get home to call Penny back, and soon. But his thoughts then turned to soon-to-be in-laws. He was going to have to be very careful with what he said to the California Carters in order to encourage them to be as calm and understanding as possible. There was still a good chance that Mark at least would feel so badly about this sudden wedding that none of them would even be flying out from San Diego for the event. Mark might be so angry at his sister for breaking up with What'shisname without telling him about that breaking up part that he would never be able to forgive her.
Jack sighed as he pulled off the Cheyenne Mountain road and onto a smaller, more residential street. He looked at the neighborhood for 'for sale' signs, a new habit of looking for houses to live in already forming in his mind as he went.
It was as he was craning his neck to look at one house in particular, noting that it was large enough for him and Samantha, and that it was for sale, and then looking at the surrounding neighborhood through his rearview mirror that he first spotted the dark SUV several vehicles behind his.
Hadn't he seen that same truck pull in behind him only a minute ago? Jack's first reaction was to do his best to get away, as the driver of that vehicle now seemed weirdly intent on following him.
Jack's second, more rational reaction was to squash his desire to flee, and to see if he really was being followed. This whole thing could still be a matter of coincidence. He would feel pretty stupid if he acted on his intent to lose a pursuer only to find out that that pursuer wasn't after him at all, only intent on driving to Wal Mart, or something equally as mundane. As he carefully turned another corner, he couldn't help that his thoughts flew to groups like the Trust, and the NID in spite of his attempts at controlling them. But he couldn't help but think of people in groups who had been filed away to the 'possible enemy' category in his mind, and his heartbeat sped up a tiny bit.
The SUV turned the corner after Jack's truck and sedately tailed him down the street. Now Jack was beginning to get worried. Just to see what the driver of the SUV would do, Jack turned a third corner onto another side street, purposefully taking the long way home. His gaze flew to his rear view mirror to see if the SUV turned this corner as well. It didn't. A small amount of relief shot with aggravation at himself and his paranoid tendencies crowded through his mind, and he quickly decided not to tell Sam about this incident lest she laugh hysterically at him.
Chastising himself the entire way home, Jack continued down the side street, even stopping to pretend to play with something on the floor of his truck so that he could take the opportunity to find out if he could see the dark SUV in between the surrounding houses. He noted that there were two houses for sale on the street, that one looked too small for him and Sam, that the second looked large enough, that he liked the quietness of the neighborhood, and that he should write the street name down so that Sam could look the second house up on the internet in case it fell in their price range, and...
Jack successfully forgot all about the dark SUV he'd thought had been following him, and only the glance he habitually took of his surroundings in his rearview mirror showed that he was being followed again, by the same vehicle as before. Now he was really getting a case of heebie jeebies!
That 'fight or flight' emotion hit him once more, and Jack had to work hard at suppressing his instincts so that he could appear to be nonchalantly and obliviously going about his business. But his mind was spinning. Who was this person following him? Was it a he or a she, and what did he or she want? Was this person a member of some secret 'get General O'Neill' organization, or was he just being paranoid again?
Jack pulled into his driveway and parked his truck. He noted that the SUV had also come to a stop, about 50 yards away from his house, and that the driver was intently watching him as he turned to his house.
Jack then decided to do a little intel gathering of his own concerning this little problem that had cropped up. He casually whistled 'Simply Irresistible' as he headed up his front walk, making sure the sound wasn't too loud, but that it would carry to the person sitting in the truck parked on his street. Jack opened his front door, still looking painfully nonchalant, and disappeared inside. He knew that his shadow would be visible through the curtains covering his entryway windows, so he forced himself to grab a beer from his refrigerator, then saunter slowly into his den.
Jack plopped down on his couch next to his phone. He
quickly called the number that Penny Carter had left with him.
He caught her immediately. Penny Carter,
she hastily
said.
Jack lowered his voice so that it had no chance of carrying
out his closed patio door. Penny, General O'Neill here to
inform you that something has come up that I need to deal with,
and would it be possible for me to call you back in a half hour
or so?
Penny automatically lowered her voice as well, and agreed,
Sure... Is this 'something' on the classified side?
Jack replied, The less said, the better. Can you
help?
Works for me,
Penny said, then added, And if this
is military classified mumbo-jumbo... Mark's gonna be so jealous
when he finds out that I helped with classified stuff before he
was asked! I might make him cook dinner for a month for me for
this!
Well, glad I can help,
Jack replied.
Then Penny's voice changed to one of concern, even lowered
the way it was. Are you gonna be okay by yourself, General
Jack? Want me to call that place you work for you, get some...
what do you guys call it?
she rhetorically asked herself.
Backup, or throw-up, or whatever?
Jack had to let out a tiny chuckle at her 'throw-up'
comment, but said, No, thanks though, but I better call them
myself and inform them of the situation and request backup. Only
an idiot goes into an unknown situation without backup.
Penny responded, And I bet they don't make idiotic
Generals.
Don't know about that,
Jack answered in distraction
as he snuck a glance through the very bottom of his front living
room window. But... Look, I'll call you when I get
back.
Thanks for not leaving me sitting here, waiting by the
phone. Bye.
She hung up without another word.
Jack liked a woman who didn't spend time on the polite niceties of small talk, like Sam. He quickly redialed the SGC and told Walter what was happening, then requested that he send a company of Marines out as backup, telling him to have them meet him about 50 yards down the road from his house. Then he too hung up.
He then waited his minimum requirement for setting a watcher at ease by returning to his couch and sitting there for one minute.
After he felt that enough time had passed, he took one last drag on his beer, grabbed his pistol from a sidetable drawer in his bedroom, slipped it into his waist holster attached to his belt, then slipped very quietly and cautiously to his patio door. Making sure that he was never highlighted in one of his windows, he slid the patio door soundlessly open, stepped through the gap, then slid the door closed again after making sure that he was leaving it unlocked so that he could get back into his house. It would be fairly embarrassing if he locked himself out of his own house. When all was as he wanted it to appear... innocent... he took off in the surrounding bushes to walk around the SUV and come at it from behind.
Thinking that he'd read about this very tactic in the SGC's military strategy books while he'd officially been looking for Sam's secret journal in the rec room, he continued on, hoping that this particular strategy would work.
It did. He came out of the trees covered in brambles and briars, but on the whole intact, and very close but behind the vehicle whose lone occupant continued to watch his house, completely unaware that Jack was right behind him.
As he crept closer to the truck... the sitting duck, Jack said in his mind... he suddenly realized who was bent so determinedly on watching his house.
Pete Shanahan.
Jack felt his blood chill over at the sight of the Detective, but again, he fought the reaction. He needed to stay calm, cool, and collected if he wanted to discover what Shanahan's plans were.
Moving soundlessly and slowly, Jack crept up to the back of Shanahan's truck, making sure that he stayed in the man's blind spot... and these SUVs had a huge blind spot for Jack to take advantage of... and was always mindful of the truck's side mirror as he practically slithered to the passenger door. He found that the vehicle was conveniently unlocked, then very quietly opened the door.
He made sure to scratch the door once he had it open so that it was audible to Shanahan, making him reach across the seat beside him and see if the door was ajar. Jack stayed crouched down out of the man's side mirror range, and waited, holding his breath.
Then the hand opened the door just a smidge prior to slamming it shut again, and Jack chose that second to act.
Jack pulled door open even further, yanking Shanahan off
balance just enough so that he could grab Shanahan's wrist with
his free hand, pull it through the opening left by the door, then
shut the door again to close the man's wrist in the open space
caused by the door. Jack didn't push hard on Shanahan's wrist
caught so effectively, but he did push the door sufficiently
closed to incapacitate him long enough to say, Okay... You
tell me right now why the hell you're following me, or I shut
this door the rest of the way, and break your wrist. Your
choice, Detective.
Jack's slightly sarcastic growl
left the police officer in no doubt as to what he personally
thought of Pete's detective skills.
Lying at an angle across the front seat of his SUV, and as
that angle was the wrong angle for him to drive away, Pete
suddenly found himself at a disadvantage as he raised his free
hand into the air and said, Okay, okay, you got me, man, just
don't shoot me or anything.
Shoot ya?
Jack barked. I don't even have a gun on
me right now,
he lied, then continued, How can I shoot ya?
Besides, what good would that do? If I shot you, you'd be
unconscious, and then I would never find out just why the hell
you're following me!
He wrapped his hand around the
wrist sticking towards him through the door, then slowly left off
the pressure he was exerting on the passenger door. He swung the
portal open the remainder of the way.
Pete lay sprawled across the bucket seats, his one hand
firmly in Jack's grasp. You got an hour?
Pete inquired of
Jack. I'll tell you what's going on, but it could take awhile
to explain it all.
He sighed, sounding ill at ease as well
as long-suffering. You might as well climb up here so we can
talk in comfort.
Jack wondered if Pete thought he was dumb. Not a
chance,
he growled, We talk through the lowered
window.
He powered the front passenger window down, then
demanded, And no funny business! Or a broken wrist will be
the least of your worries.
No funny business,
promised Pete, holding both hands
into the air now to show that he was unarmed and not dangerous. Just
talk, I swear,
he said.
Jack took one more look at him, judging the puppy-dog face
before him, then stared through the lowered window. Okay...
talk,
he ordered, And make it convincing.
Pete kept his hands on the steering wheel, in plain sight of
Jack, so that the military man would know where his hands were
and that they weren't reaching for a hidden weapon. Then he
began to speak. I'm just concerned about Sam, that's
all.
Jack's forehead crinkled, and he gave a disbelieving snort.
That's why you're following me?
Pete looked chagrined for a moment. Well,
he
explained. I really don't know much about you to...
Gee, wonder why that is?
Jack rhetorically asked.
Then he answered himself, Could it be because I don't like
you?
Pete at least appeared appreciative of Jack's honesty, in
spite of what he was saying. He replied, I'd have to say that
the feeling is mutual, General.
Well, good,
Jack grunted as he gazed out the front
window so that he wouldn't have to look at the man beside him.
But, I repeat, Shanahan, why the hell are you following
me?
He rolled his eyes, And don't tell me any bullshit
about being 'concerned for Sam.' It has to be more than
that.
He faced Pete again for a second, then turned back to
the stare out the front window a second time. I'm not her, ya
know,
he reminded. I'm not likely to give you the benefit
of the doubt the way that she did. Stalking is stalking, and
this is stalking, right, Mr. Police Officer?
he sneered.
Pete issued a sigh into the vehicle. I just want to
explain...
Then explain,
Jack ordered in an unfriendly
voice.
I saw you and Sam in the park the other day...
That comment did make Jack snap his attention around to
stare at Shanahan again. At 0630 in the morning?
he
gasped. And this is supposed to make me feel better about
you?
he barked in incredulity. What the hell were you
doing at a public park at 0630 in the morning?
Shanahan raised both his hands again. Just listen!
he demanded. He put his hands back on the steering wheel, and
Jack once again faced forward, grumbling, but docile enough for
Pete to go on. Like I said,
Pete continued, I saw you
in the park... I was just coming off my night shift, heading
home, which is why I was even there. I wasn't casing the place,
honest!
Oh yeah,
Jack nastily said. Like I'm going to
believe that.
Hey!
Pete defended himself. I happened to be in
the area... so shoot me!
Yeah, you 'happen to be in the area' a lot,
Jack
said, quoting the very phrase that Pete had also employed right
after the Osiris Op that he'd 'coincidentally' stumbled onto.
How often do you think you can use that line and have people
fall for it? 'Cause I never fell for it, even if Samantha did.
And while you were doing your cute little security checks on my
team member, I was doing security checks on you. A stint in jail
for disobeying a restraining order?
he questioned. A fine
for stalking?
His face darkened as he went on. Oh, yeah,
you have quite an adventurous past history to read
through.
It's better than yours!
Shanahan defended
himself.
Jack's scowl darkened. You can't find anything out about
me through a stupid little security check!
That may be...
Pete bligerently began, then he gave
a defeated little sigh. Look,
he said at last to Jack.
I'm not here to fight with you...
Yeah,
Jack sneered. Just why are you
here?
he asked. You haven't bothered to answer that
question to my satisfaction yet. Oh, and the truth this time
would be nice.
Like I said,
Pete patiently spoke. I'm just
concerned about Sam...
Samantha broke it off with you,
Jack grunted. I'm
sorry if that brings you pain, but deal with it. She is not your
concern any longer.
Don't you think this whole thing is a bit on the fast
side?
Pete then asked. That she's just on the rebound
from me, and you're second choice?
Jack snorted. You were the second choice, buddy, not me.
And if I ever catch you tailing either of us again, I won't
hesitate to throw charges of 'disturbing the peace' and
'stalking' at you. Again,
he added. At last Jack huffed a
breath. And another thing... You'll stay as far away from
Samantha as possible if you know what's good for you.
You can't make me do anything of the kind,
Pete said
in a low voice, sounding contentious again.
Jack grinned a grin that held no warmth in it. Still
looking out the front window, he casually said, Go back to
Denver. Or better yet, get out of Colorado altogether.
Don't you threaten me!
Pete growled. Or I'll have
the whole police force down on your head so fast you won't know
what hit you!
You won't know what hit you, either, if an army under my
command suddenly makes you disappear,
Jack softly
replied.
Like I should be afraid of that!
Pete scorned. What
Pete didn't know was that the softer Jack's voice grew, the more
dangerous he became. So he blithely went on as he reached for
the concealed gun at his left side. Like you can ever just
make people disappear,
He snapped the fingers of his right
hand while his left moved to his side. Just like
that!
Jack nonchalantly and softly said, I wouldn't reach for
the gun you have hidden below your belt, either.
Pete balked at him. How the hell do you know if I have a
weapon or not?
he asked, decidedly pissed now, according to
his tone. He went on, And how do you know if I'm reaching for
it to begin with?
Jack gave a loud sigh, and looked irritated at having to
answer what seemed to him to be stupid questions. First of
all,
he said anyway, You're a cop... It only stands to
reason that you have a gun that I can't see. Even you aren't so
dumb as to stake out a house unarmed.
Then then he quietly
added, Though one of the things that you can count on in this
screwed up universe of ours is that there will always be
stupid people.
Jack scratched at his chin then with his own
left hand. Unfortunately, I'm not on of them.
Pete growled, What, you were just playing dumb with me?
And you expect me to fall for that?
Jack ignored Pete's query about his intelligence level to
say, And second... I've been watching your reflection in the
front window for the past fifteen minutes, and I can see the
bulge of your handgun from here.
He smirked at a
flabbergasted detective then. What?
he innocently asked.
They didn't teach you that trick in cop school?
He turned
back to coldly stare out the front window again. And
third,
he calmly stated, I didn't come here completely
unarmed either, and you should have expected that.
Then he
slipped his right hand out from between his under he window
ledge.
Before Jack could bring his own weapon up to bear on
Shanahan, Pete sneered and said, Don't you threaten me, old
man. You stay away from Sam, or it'll be heyday a la
policia,
he ended, bringing up his own gun to point at Jack.
Now, hand over your weapon...
He took the gun away from
Jack before Jack could even do anything with it. Now get in,
nice and slow,
Pete ordered.
Jack let his head fall back on the headrest, Ah, man!
he theatrically groused, as if he was appalled at the way another
person had gotten the upper hand on him. I was so hoping you
would do that!
he unexpectedly exclaimed. And he pulled the
second smaller gun out of his coat pocket, thankful that
Samantha's paranoia had ignited his paranoia, and that he
hadn't decided to walk into a possible trap carrying only one
weapon. He pointed this second gun at the detective, looking
like a weapon of any kind, even one as small as the one he held,
was so familiar that it was actually an extension of his own
hand.
You said that you only had the one gun!
Pete
acrimoniously protested. No, first you said you were unarmed,
then you said you only had one gun!
Jack waved his gun in an arc, wondering how long Pete
Shanahan would last against an army of Jaffa if he believed
people so easily. So I lied,
he retorted. Then he more
fully steadied the weapon. Pete aimed at Jack, and Jack aimed at
Pete. Neither man moved, and neither man's weapon moved a
centimeter.
After several quiet moments of this where both Pete and Jack
sized the other up, Jack calmly inquired, So, what do we do
now?
The guns still hadn't wavered, and Jack went on,
This is your truck... You seem to have all the
advantages.
Pete chuckled a bit after that statement. Oh, I bet
you'd like me to think so,
he said.
What?
Jack innocently asked. No tire iron hidden
under the seat?
Then he stared seriously at Pete, thinking
Well, at last he finally got some smarts. You know,
you have a problem with having hidden weapons.
Like you should talk!
Pete snorted. I somehow
don't think that Sam is getting a particularly open and honest
guy!
Jack retorted, She doesn't seem to have changed her
preferences much then, has she?
Pete snorted in only slightly restrained fury. So I
suppose that I need to equate the older guy with the wiser guy,
huh?
He snorted once again. Older and more used up is
more like it.
Jack appeared to be wounded. Hey, age is just a
number!
You tell yourself that if it makes you feel better! Five
years down the road, I bet that Sam...
Jack interrupted, Samantha doesn't care about something
so petty.
Pete snorted a third time. Yeah, right! Like I believe
that!
Samantha has never cared about that,
Jack
informed in a hard voice. And she never will! If you think
any differently, then you didn't know her as well as you'd like
to think!
I knew that she would never just pick an old...
Older and wiser,
Jack acrimoniously corrected. They
uneasily stared at each other through the open window. Finally
Jack laughed, finding some hidden humor in the fact that they
were both so evenly matched and just watching each other like
they were caught in some infinitely long staring contest. So,
what do we do now?
he asked at last. Stay here forever,
pointing guns at each other, or start shooting like this is some
cheap version of the Wild Wild West?
You're the Army guy, you tell me,
Shanahan
demanded.
Geez, how long were you with Samantha?
Jack asked in
a gravelly voice. We're Air Force, not Army. I'd think you
would know that.
Oh, like there's a difference!
Shanahan shot back at
him. One military is about the same as any other! You're all
just 'yes' men with no will of your own!
The sudden swinging wide of his driver door made Pete whirl around to see Sam standing outside his SUV, pointing her own small weapon at him through the open space she'd just created.
Well, this is a nice surprise, thought Jack, always glad to see Sam, even in a situation that was as tense as this one was quickly becoming.
Sam went on, retorting to Pete, If that's what you really
thought of my job all along, then dumping you was the best
decision I ever made! Now hand me your gun, nice and slow!
she ordered. And get out!
Pete carefully did as he was told by crawling out of his
truck, but only behaving like he planned to hand over his gun, He
never quite got around to it. The entire time he was moving,
though, he groveled, Sam, this is not what you think it
is!
Oh?
Sam queried, noting what he'd chosen to do and to
not do. I suppose that you're going to tell me what I think
is going on here, right?
She whisked his gun out of his
grasp the second it cleared the edge of the door, since he wasn't
giving it to her, as she had demanded. She held it in her left
hand while her right fingers still curled tightly around her own
small handgun that she had pulled from her coat pocket. I
guess this is just like the time you 'told' me that women don't
belong on the front lines, right? I thought we had already
settled all that 'women' stuff.
Pete's shoulders slumped. That's not what I said at
all,
he whined.
Oh?
she caustically inquired. I find you here, a
gun pointed at the head of the man I plan to marry, and the best
you can do is whine that I didn't understand you? When did I
ever understand you?
Even though Jack was thoroughly behind Sam all the way, he
had to softly comment, Ouch!
at her words.
The truth seemed to hit Shanahan in his guts. You're not
actually going to marry this geezer, are you?
Hey!
Jack protested. This old geezer is quite
capable of kicking your ass from her to Milwaukee, so watch
it!
Pete stared at Jack standing beside his SUV, but he spoke to
Sam. I can't believe you would choose this 'has been' over
me!
I never said that I made Samantha choose,
Jack felt
like he had to clarify. There was no choosing involved, if I
recall.
When Pete thought that Sam was distracted with his last comment, he made his move, flinging out his arm towards her.
Sam easily blocked his action, making it look like it was no
effort at all. When are you ever going to remember not to
telegraph your punches?
she asked of him, then without
warning, shoved her leg into the back of Pete's knees without
even looking down to see if her sudden activity was executed
correctly. The move was common practice for Jaffa to use on
captured prisoners, but apparently hadn't been widely practiced
on the Colorado Springs PD. Pete never saw it coming. His knees
automatically bent, just as they were supposed to, and he crashed
to the ground, almost hitting his head on the concrete
street.
Jack sprang away from the truck at the same time Sam made her move, and sped around the vehicle as he scowled, but it looked like Sam had everything well in hand by the time he arrived to stand beside her, and just as a troop transport carrying a squad of Marines from the base screeched to a halt nearby. By then, Sam had thrown the detective's gun away from him and under his truck, her own weapon still in hand.
Do you have your cell phone on you?
she casually
asked as Jack joined her and the Marines surrounded the three of
them.
Jack gave a terse nod. It never leaves my person, not
even when Walter brings me cake,
he told her.
Sam smiled a tiny smile at what he had said. But she
suggested, Maybe you should call the police department and
have them detain this irritant over night.
She grinned at
the men on every side of her. As much as I like having
Marines here, the police should really hear about what's been
going on today.
Ah, Samantha,
Jack feigned a whining fit. And I
was so hoping that you would let this nice much of AIR FORCE
Marines lead him away to a conveniently empty holding cell at
Petersen, where I will then forget about his existence and he'll
rot away in a year or two.
Do you really want everyone on base to know about this,
Jack?
she asked, always being the pragmatist. Then she
glanced around at the men surrounding her, Jack, and Pete.
Besides these guys?
she asked.
Good point,
Jack stated. I order you all to
silence on this subject,
Jack said to the Marines, then
couldn't help adding, Maybe I should just call Teal'c.
Sam laughed aloud at that joke. Let's start with the
police, and go from there.
* * *
Sam and Jack watched as the CSPD pulled away, and a wrecker
dragged Shanahan's vehicle behind it to the impound yard. The
troop transport and its Marines had headed back to the SGC soon
after it was clear that the General and Colonel Carter had
everything well in hand. Jack wound his arm around Sam's waist
as the Police disappeared. He asked, So, what brings a
beautiful woman like you to a place like this?... clich‚s
aside.
Sam chuckled again at this new joke. I forgot my report
in your truck. And when I called you to ask about my report, and
you didn't answer your phone... And you weren't already busy
talking to Penny...
Sam sighed then. I was gonna feel
real dumb if there was nothing wrong, and you were only in the
bathroom or something... But you have enough enemies by now,
that I thought extra caution wasn't exactly unwarranted. So I
came down that new road that leads to your house from the other
direction, away from the base, just in case something was going
on between the base and your house. Then when I saw you and the
SUV, with Pete, I practically lost my breakfast. I forgot about
the report that I left on the floor of the front seat of your
truck, pulled out my gun instead, and here I am.
She tried
to brush off her actions with a careless shrug. And I'm glad
that I could help.
Then, more darkly, she added, Though I
have a suspicion that I was more the cause of that last little
problem than I'd like to think.
She shook her head as if to
clear it. Anyway, I do sort of need that report of mine if I
want to get anymore work done on it.
A report that's not on your computer?
Jack asked
next, focusing instead on her errand rather than on her
involvement behind Pete's actions that day. She was not to blame
for any behavior not her own, he firmly believed, but wouldn't
put it past her to think that she was responsible for much more.
So he purposefully ignored her 'involvement' in the adventure,
except to say, Clever of you to take that new road, by the
way, but it's nothing new for you to be clever.
Sam smiled at the compliment, then sighed. Thanks.
Anyway, the report was on my computer until today. I deleted it
right after printed it out, and before we left this afternoon.
That's my hard copy that you have. I was planning on giving it a
final once over again before handing it in to a certain General
of my acquaintance.
This General of your acquaintance,
Jack began.
You know, he doesn't understand half of what you
write.
Oh? And just how would you know that?
Sam asked with
an arched eyebrow.
Without missing a beat, Jack said, He told me so.
Sam laughed at him then. For a minute there, I thought
that you were going to say that a little birdie whispered it in
your ear.
A bird in a mountain complex?
Jack cringed at just
the thought. Think of the mess... and poor Siler would have
to clean it up.
Sam did give a full out laugh this time. Well, I'll get
out off your hair before a bird does its dirty work in it. I'll
just grab my report, leave some more journal entries that I've
written, then head back to base.
They began walking
companionably together down the road towards Jack's house. I
bet Penny's probably wondering what happened to you by now,
Sam casually commented.
Jack added, I called her and told her,
he said, then
continued, I like her, ya know.
Sam seemed surprised to hear this. You've already made
that decision? But you hardly know her,
she protested.
It usually takes some time for you to warm up to someone
new.
Jack snorted. You had me wanting to warm up to you
before that first briefing was over.
Sam grinned, eager to hear more about his perceptions of
their first meeting. And why didn't you?
she asked.
It's not like you knew me at that point. I was just some
young, dumb scientist assigned to your team against your
will.
Jack looked off to the horizon as he and Sam walked,
remembering, and smiling ever so slightly, as if he was enjoying
a private memory. By the end of that first mission, I
respected you way too much to want to do anything of a personal
nature that might damage your career.
He went on to admit,
By the end of that Mongrel thing, I figured that if I ever
made a move on you, you might beat me up. That opened my eyes
pretty wide.
He turned to stare at her, still smiling
enigmatically. And I liked what I saw, I have to admit.
Then he sighed. But... hands off, the regulations say. And I
was already more concerned about keeping you on my team than in
keeping you in my bed... though that side of the 'forbidden
equation' did have it's appeal, too.
Sam gazed at him shyly this time. Huh. And all along I
thought that I was the only one to be having those kinds of
thoughts.
Suddenly Jack stopped in the middle of the road near the
driveway leading to his house. He roughly pulled Sam into his
arms. And when I was staring at you through that damned force
shield...
Jack squeezed his eyes shut in order to ride out
the wave of pain the memory inevitably caused. It was like
watching Charlie die all over again.
Sam instinctively understood that he needed her comfort now
more than her reassuring words, so she just held onto him,
curling her arms around his back, her hands into his hair. They
stood like that for several minutes until she broke the silence
that had fallen over them. Hey,
she whispered at last.
Let's not think about all those bad memories now.
She
sniffled, and suspiciously wiped her nose on the sleeve of her
shirt. We have some pretty damn good memories to give them a
run for their money... clich‚ intended.
Jack sniffled a little, too, but he was behaving like he was
just taking a very appreciative whiff of her hair where it softly
brushed her shoulder, so she wasn't sure that bad memories had
caused any bad emotions to swirl around inside him. I
wouldn't mind making more such memories,
Jack hinted, which
made Sam laugh again, though wetly. And speaking of
that...
Jack took hold of her hand and tugged her up his
driveway. She paused at the passenger door of his truck long
enough to retrieve her report where she'd hidden it on the floor.
She also grabbed her cell phone off the passenger seat and
slipped into her left pants pocket. Her weapon was already
concealed in her right pocket. Jack waited as she stowed her
gear in their proper places. You might think again on that
deal I mentioned earlier about us staying on base until we find a
house.
Sam sharply glanced up at him as she shoved her report into
the file she was already carrying. Why? Did Pete say
something to make you nervous?
Jack hesitated a bit. Not exactly,
he drawled. Then
he added, We just both know where he is right now... this
might be a good time for you to run to your house and pack a few
things that you can take back to base with you.
Sam tried to gauge what he was thinking but not telling her
according to the wary expression on his face. If you think
that's necessary...
I think that I like to know that someone I love more than
my own life is safe inside a mountain base where I can keep an
eye on her...
Then he conceded, And where every other man
who works there will also keep an eye on her. Now that I finally
got her, that is.
He smiled at her. I'm gonna make them
soooo jealous, and I'm gonna enjoy it!
Sam laughed again. She had surprised Jack once more, as he had figured that she was too independent to appreciate someone 'watching over her.'
Not that I think you're gonna break, or anything,
he
added as he led her around to the sliding door on his deck, and
let her into his house. I just don't trust old Petey Boy.
I'm sorry that I have to say that...
I don't trust him either,
Sam then divulged. She
crossed over to the Military Strategy binder resting on the
coffee table, and proceeded to work her new journal entries into
place at the end of the book.
Her statement surprised Jack yet again. You don't trust
him?
Jack asked in a slightly astonished tone.
Sam snorted as she straightened. Well,
she imparted
to him. Pete certainly hasn't given me any reason to trust
him.
She loosely held her report in its file in her hands.
Background checks don't exactly engender trust,
she
said.
You know about that?
Jack asked, bug-eyed. Then he
recalled that he knew that she had known about it for quite
awhile from reading her journal entries.
Sam smiled then. Close your gaping mouth before you
swallow a fly,
she cautioned, then added, Of course I knew
about his checks. I said that much in my journal, if you'll
recall.
Jack pretended to think. I remember reading something of
the sort.
Sam continued, I let that check go by, because it was
just me he investigated,
she told him. But if he then
went after you...
Sam grimly smiled. Let's just say that
he would have been one detective short a leg.
Jack gaped, then finally brought his facial features under
control. Lucky for him that he stopped at only going after
you.
Sam didn't pretend to not understand how serious she had
been at the time, and that Pete had walked a much finer line than
he had ever imagined. Yeah,
she whispered. Lucky for
him.
Jack noisily cleared his throat. Enough about that
Shanahan character... I was going to ask you if I can read the
first part of your journal. Now, I'd like to read the bit that
you added at the end, too... do you mind?
Sam grinned then, and shook her head. No, I don't
mind,
she assured. But I would like to hear a little
about all those hidden bits of trivia that make up General
O'Neill's life in return.
Jack feigned a huff of air. He walked into her embrace even
as he predicted, You'd be bored in minutes.
I doubt that,
Sam said.
Jack shrugged. If you insist.
Sam kissed the end of his nose. I do.
Then she
kissed him more fully on his lips.
Jack felt like he was falling the second his skin touched
hers. But he resisted the tightening feeling in his stomach
that accosted him. We're going to have a replay of lunch
today if you don't get going,
he warned instead.
Sam grinned back at him. In other words, I should leave
now while I can?
she asked.
Jack gave a low growl. Give me another few seconds of
necking with my former second in command, and I might not want to
let you go, even for a quick run to your house.
Sam smiled. I'll take the hint - I'm gone.
She
kissed him once more, a short peck on his lips, then dodged his
grip and headed for the front door, laughing the entire way. She
patted his butt once as she passed him.
You're playing with fire, Colonel!
Jack called a
warning after her.
I wouldn't want it any other way, General,
she called
back. Tell Penny that I say 'hello.'
Then she was
gone.
Smiling, but in suddenly uncomfortably tight pants, Jack sank back into his sofa cushions and sighed. God, he loved Sam! It sometimes surprised even him at the strength of his emotions.
Jack heaved a great sigh into the quiet of the room, then grabbed his phone's receiver and again dialed the number that Penny had given him.
The phone rang twice, then Jack heard Penny inquire,
Hello? And this better be you, Jack, after all this
time!
Jack had to laugh before he could say anything. Hey, I
warned ya!
Jack began without even bothering to tell her who
he was. I had that something come up that I had to deal with,
ya know.
Yeah, I know,
Penny lightly groused through the
phone. Then she demanded, Is Sam all right?
She's fine!
Jack was sure to say. It's nothing
like that! She saved my ass, in fact!
Literally, he
thought. Oh, and she says 'Hi'
But she's all right?
The concern filled her voice as
she spoke.
I wouldn't lie to you!
Jack insisted, then amended,
Well, not much, anyway.
Not much?
she archly asked in aggravation.
Her tone made Jack feel uncomfortable again, but only for a
second. I wouldn't be able to tell you something if it's top
secret stuff. But this isn't. Just unfortunate. And
anyway,
he said, going on, She's fine. And so am I. And
I guess I have a lot to tell you...
You do have an awful lot of 'splainin' to do,
Penny grumbled into the phone.
Yeah, about that splainin,'
Jack began. I think
you need to communicate with your son, Jason, a bit more.
The statement surprised Penny this time. Jason?
Yeah. Samantha told him all about that whole Pete thing,
but then I guess that it never got much beyond him. Don't get
too angry at either him or Samantha, though,
Jack directed
then. This whole thing just sort of happened. There wasn't
anything malicious about it.
Penny sighed. Why don't you tell me what's going on, and
I'll decide for myself about the malicious factor.
You sound pissed,
Jack noted.
Penny negated, Not pissed, just confused, and I don't
like being confused. Start at the beginning,
she
commanded.
The beginning... of my life?
Jack inquired. Or
when I first met Samantha?
Penny giggled. Very funny,
she said. I admit
that hearing about the life of an Air Force General does
have its appeal... I mean, I bet you have enough stories to fill
several books...
But I'd have to shoot you if you read any of them,
Jack told her. Too much classified material.
Penny sighed her next laugh. And don't tell me, this
wedding bit is classified, too.
Jack defended, Well, it is!
Uh-huh.
Penny didn't sound convinced that
'classified' really meant 'classified.' You know, I worry
that you government types use 'classified' as an excuse not to
share pertinent information with the masses.
Are you sure you're not part of this country's secret
organizations?
Jack asked then. 'Cause your sounding
kinda paranoid. I thought being paranoid was my
department.
Penny chuckled. Okay, out with it. Begin with how you
and Sam met.
Jack gave sappy sigh, remembering again, and couldn't stop
the smile that stole across his face. It's been almost eight
years since we first laid eyes on each other. And I never knew
what hit me.
* * *
Sam carried her report in its file down the hall towards
Jack's office so that she could slip it under his door and be
done with it. But the presence of Daniel thoughtfully standing
in the middle of his own office stopped her. She peered in the
open doorway at him, but he didn't move. Finally, she inquired,
Hey Daniel. What's up?
Daniel glanced up at her from the piece of paper he was
currently thinking hard about. It took a moment for his eyes to
readjust their focus onto her standing just inside his door.
Oh, hey Sam. I'm just putting the finishing touches on some
of your announcement translations. You know, looking stuff up,
double checking it, fixing my mistakes. That sort of thing.
He wriggled his glasses on his face until he found a more
comfortable position for them to rest in. Then it's off
through the wormhole with these.
Already?
Sam asked, amazed at his speed.
Well, yeah,
Daniel said. Teal'c already took the
ones meant for Ishta, Ry'ac, Car'ryn, and Master Bra'tac.
Anyway, some of the people who these invitations are for need to
ask for leave first, or time off, and we're not giving them much
response time as it is.
True,
Sam conceded.
So,
Daniel added, That's what I've been doing.
What's up with you and Jack?
Sam offered him an evil grin. I could say
'sex..,'
Sam!
came Daniel's horrified response. Again?
God, when are you two gonna give it a rest?
Sam couldn't help but laugh at the horrified expression on
his face. But it wouldn't be entirely true for me to say
that, either,
she said to him. Don't worry... Jack and I
have been out house-hunting. Then Jack had a run-in with Pete, I
had to bail him out... thankfully no one got shot... and then
Pete got his ass hauled away by the police, and he's probably in
jail right now,
she said as she glanced at her watch.
Meanwhile, Jack's talking on the phone to my sister-in-law in
San Diego so that she can talk to my brother,
and...
Daniel peered at her in disbelief through his glasses.
It's always something,
he meekly said.
Yeah,
she nodded. Tell me about it.
She then
wandered around the vicinity near Daniel's desk, and whirled.
You said that Teal'c already went through the 'Gate?
Yeah,
Daniel told her. He left this afternoon
around 1300.
Then he mock glared at her. I bet that you
didn't even notice he was gone.
Sam gave a shrug of her shoulders. I've been a little...
uh... preoccupied,
she absolved herself.
Daniel laughed at her comment. You mean that you've been
totally head over heels in love with a guy who you've secretly
been in love with for years, and you love being in love with him
now, and that you and Jack have a lot of ground to cover in order
to get to know each other in a way that's not CO and
subordinate.
He didn't voice specifically what he had in
mind, but it was obvious what he wasn't saying, only alluding
to.
Sam couldn't help the drippy grin that she gave him.
Yeah,
she said on a sigh. We've certainly been busy
getting acquainted with the side of ourselves that doesn't
belong to the Air Force.
Daniel sighed, then announced, I'm not sure I want to
hear about this thing between you two.
We made love madly all afternoon,
she bluntly told
him.
Oy!
Daniel yelled, and put his hands over his ears.
Too much information!
he called. I didn't need to know
that!
Sam just giggled at her friend, reveling in her reason for his discomfort.
* * *
So, let me get this straight,
Penny Carter said in
Jack's ear. You've known Sam... how long?
Eight years,
Jack immediately said. Then he caught
sight of the journal resting innocently on his coffee table.
Wait!
he amended. No, make that seven years and six
months.
Penny paused. You're sure?
she ragged him.
That's not seven years and nine months, is it?
Nooooo,
Jack teased back, pretending to think.
I'm pretty sure that it's seven years and a half.
The tone of Penny's voice hinted at her incredulity. It
took you this long to propose to her?
she asked. What's
wrong with you?????
Jack laughed, showing his good mood. He would have scowled
only a week ago. Nothing,
he said. It's just that any
relationship other than of the professional variety is
against...
Against regs,
she finished for him in a tired tone of
voice.
I see that Mark has talked to you a bit about the
military,
Jack dryly noted.
A bit,
she agreed. So what took you so long to
ask?
she next inquired. Was there something wrong with
Sam? Didn't she like you?
Noooo, that wasn't it,
Jack hesitantly told her.
Let's just say that we had a few things to work out
first.
You sure that you don't still need to work them out?
she asked, continuing to tease him.
Jack remembered the reason why he was even on the phone with
Samantha's sister-in-law. He was thus doubly amazed that he was
able to open up even with this information to a virtual stranger.
Next he would actually be volunteering how he felt about
Sam! I'm pretty sure we have everything worked out,
he
replied. trying to remain vague.
Penny drew in a breath of cleansing air, unaware of the
conundrum her questions were causing in Jack. Then what was
that whole Pete thing about?
Jack stared at Sam's journal, but instead of divulging Sam's
personal information without Sam's express permission, Jack
instead said, That was my fault.
Your fault? How?
I ordered her to get a life.
Jack admitted, and
winced, both at the memory his words caused him, and the way he
was kind of finagling the conversation to go the way he wanted it
to. She was just a little exuberant about the outcome,
he
added for good measure.
Penny clarified, And Jason knew all about the Pete thing
ending, and didn't bother to tell us?
Uh...
Jack thought for a moment, then was forced to
agree with her assessment of the situation. Yep.
Penny's next question came with no segueway. You
scared?
That he could admit to being! Terrified,
Jack
just as quickly informed. That's why I didn't say anything
before. Kind of... you know...
He sighed in irritation.
I didn't do too good of a job the first time around,
and...
You've been married before?
Married - once. Engaged - once. Samantha has me beat
by... what?... two times?
Penny sighed once as well. So, you work with Sam, and
shouldn't even care about her, but do, and can marry her anyway
because it's a matter of national security?
Jack was surprised at how good it made him feel to hear the
whole marriage debacle stated so plainly. Something like
that.
Penny whistled. You're calmer about all this than I
would be in your shoes... uh, boots.
I'm not calm,
Jack told her. I've been in a
perpetual state of shock since last Thursday afternoon when I
first heard about this whole thing from a friend or ours named
Daniel.
If this is you in shock,
Penny stated, then I
think Sam has nothing to worry about.
Jack sighed then. Look, Penny, you can tell Mark that
I'm really sorry about the whole Pete thing...
Then he
changed his mind. Well, actually, no, I'm not sorry that
that's ended. It wasn't much fun for me at all...
Talk like this won't make you popular,
Penny
warned.
Would you rather that I lie?
Jack asked, now in a
darker mood.
No, I wouldn't. Mark might... Or he might have
wanted you to lie a bit about the bed thing earlier. Pete
is a friend of his, after all.
But you never liked him?
Jack ascertained. Pete I
mean.
Penny hesitated. I wouldn't exactly say that.
Then you don't like him, but Mark doesn't know that you
don't like him,
Jack flatly stated.
There was never a reason to tell Mark,
Penny
commented at last. He would have only gotten angry if I did,
and then we would have ended up in a fight, and feelings would
have gotten hurt, and... It was never worth that.
Does Samantha know how you feel?
Jack asked her.
Penny hesitated again. Sssssort of,
she finally
admitted.
Sort of?
Jack inquired. What is it with you
Carters and your half answers?
Okay,
Penny divulged. I told Jessica that I don't
like him. I assume that she told Sam.
Jack sighed. He was beginning to get a headache from all
these Carters. And who is Jessica?
My daughter,
Penny answered readily enough. She's
seven, and loves Sam to pieces.
Jack sighed. I'm beginning to think that your entire
family has a communication problem.
And that statement is coming from a man who loved my
sister-in-law for eight years, but never told her?
When jack
didn't answer, she went on to say, Uh... I guess I'm assuming
that you love her...
Jack felt squeemish thinking of admitting to these feelings
to someone he'd never met. But, he refused to be guilty of an
act of misleading any of Sam's brother's family. He was too
worried that it would possibly cause problems for Sam herself.
So, he braced himself, uncomfortable, but determined to come
clean with the truth... or some of it... and said, I didn't
exactly say that I don't.
Penny immediately latched onto his words. So you
do?
Again, Jack knew what he found plenty hard to say, but also
knew what he had to say. Um... yeah.
Penny breathed out a great rush of air. For a minute
there I was worried that both of you were doing this marriage
thing out of some dumb sense of duty, or something.
Hey,
Jack defended. I told her once... sort of...
but... Point taken,
he conceded. That is sort of what we
might have done... once.
Penny sighed in resignation. Well,
she reluctantly
said. At least this isn't from that weird sense of duty that
she's always talking about that she feels.
Jack interrupted her to blurt, No, it's not duty, it's...
Crap!
He straightened on his couch, then in a harsh tone
told her, Okay, Penny, here it is... I love her, she loves
me, we're going to get married in a week and a half and spend the
rest of our lives making babies if I'm really lucky, okay? Just
tell Mark that...
But Penny was still stuck on his confession about kids
enough to blurt, Making babies?!? Even me and Mark don't sit
around all day, thinking about making babies!
Jack didn't know how to respond to that. Uh...
Then Penny sighed again, but it was a much less aggravated
sound. Okay... I'll take pity on you... It must be getting
late there in Colorado, and you must be wanting dinner... or
something,
she lamely said. I'll tell Mark what you told
me... all of it... babies included... But he might still be on
Pete's side, you know. Pete's Mark's friend, and Mark is Mr.
Sensitive Guy and all. And this engagement/marriage-to-a-new-man
is rather sudden,
she remarked. And this is only a week
after Jacob's funeral. Mark won't take kindly to having to fly
out to Colorado twice in one month, once for the funeral, and
once for the wedding, just because of the cost alone,
she
warned. To say nothing of you being military, Sam's CO, and
that this matter is classified, and you really can't tell us
anything about it. To say nothing of the... the feelings... that
you've had for her for so long. All of this is a lot to
swallow.
Jack winced. When you put it that way...
Then he
redirected the conversation. But let me see about pulling
some strings and getting you a flight out here. Being a General
ought to be good for something,
he commented.
You can do that?
Penny inquired. Just who
are you, anyway?
Jack laughed at that question. He answered, Tell Mark
that I'm just the guy who's in...
He cleared his throat,
feeling uncomfortable again, but then just shut his eyes,
grimaced, and again admitted, I'm the guy who's in love with
his sister, and we'll leave it at that.
Penny didn't sound convinced, but agreed.
Okkkkaaaaay,
she doubtfully said. I guess we'll have
to take your word for it.
I'm just the guy who saves the world,
he added.
Penny snorted this time. What a load of Air Force
bunk!
she exclaimed with a laugh. That sounds like
something one of the kids would say!
Jack laughed, too, more as cover than anything.
Riiiight.
But I'll tell him that you said that, though what radar
telemarketing...
Telemetry,
Jack broke in.
Whatever,
Penny said. But what that has to do
with saving the world is beyond me. And what the heck are you
saving the world from, anyway?
That's...
Don't tell me!
Penny shouted. Then she ended as if
she had intimate knowledge of military life. It's
classified.
She sighed and admitted, Something tells me
that your whole life is classified.
Then she added,
Are you sure that you're real?
Come out to Colorado in a week and a half and find
out,
Jack dared.
Gads,
Penny muttered under her breath. You're as
bad as Jason.
I heard that,
Jack told her.
Yeah well, something tells me that even getting Mark out
to the wedding might be a big thing. He could have a lot to say
to you, too.
I can handle Mark,
Jack told her. If all else
fails, I can always turn Samantha loose on him.
And that's supposed to be a good thing, a helpful
thing?
Yeah,
he responded, beginning to fear that meeting
Mark would not be the family reunion that he would want it to be.
So he softly cajoled, You know, you guys all being here would
make Samantha awfully happy.
Oh, now you're not playing fair,
Penny remarked. She
sighed, then in a brighter tone said, Well, wish me luck.
Something tells me that tonight is going to be an interesting
night.
Tell him that Pete's in jail for stalking me, and that'll
set him straight.
What?
Penny shrieked, then said, No, don't
tell me. The less I know about that, the better. So, see you
around, Jack.
I am going too marry Samantha you know,
Jack
reminded her, as if she needed a reminder.
And you love her?
It was getting easier and easier to own up to that question.
I'd give her the world if I could,
Jack instantly
replied.
Well, that's something,
Penny said then. Bye,
Jack. Nice talking to you.
Good luck,
he wished her, then said, O'Neill
out.
He hung up the phone.
Jack sat on the couch, feeling shell-shocked. But after a
few minutes, he began to thaw. Well, that went better than I
thought it would,
he mumbled to himself, and finally was able
to rise up from the couch to grab another beer out of the fridge.
He didn't realize that he'd managed to undo much of the good that
his conversation with Penny had encouraged with his common
military goodbye. But then, he'd had an eventful day, and was
too tired to think too hard about how he'd sounded over the
phone. He smiled, reminding himself of some of those events. He
wondered if Samantha would be interested in recreating lunch
during dinnertime as he sauntered to his fridge.
* * *
An hour later, Sam was working in her lab on the energy
shield device that had been brought back from PMR-957 when her
lab phone suddenly rang. Thinking that it was probably Jack
intent on badgering her into quitting work for the day, she
answered in a playful tone. Carter.
Hey Sam!
It was Mark. Sam grimaced and set her emotions against the
argument she thought she was about to embark on with her brother.
Mark, don't say anything until I explain...
You love him, right?
Mark interrupted her to ask.
Sam was surprised by this question that seemed to have come
out of nowhere. Uh... Yeah.
And he loves you?
Mark inquired.
Sam thought back to the way Jack had made love to her just
that afternoon on the floor in the hallway of his house, within
walking distance of his nice soft bed, and the way he had looked
like he had thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. Without
hesitation, she answered, I'm quite certain that he
does.
And just this evening he told Penny that he would work
out a flight for us to Colorado Springs for the wedding. See you
then.
Without further questioning, arguing, debating, or
haranguing his sister, Mark hung up.
Sam stood, staring at the receiver she held out from her ear, a confused expression on her face. What had just happened? Was this his way of giving his blessing for her to marry Jack? It had certainly been one of the shortest conversations that she'd ever had with Mark. It had also been one of the strangest.
Sam shook her head, then slowly hung up her phone.
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