Twelve Red Roses
A Valenship 2008 Fic
by Sarai
A/N: This fic is dedicated to everyone at the Sam/Jack shipper thread on GW. Happy Valenship 2008 Ship Family! May we each receive our personal resolution soon, in one way or another…
Chapter One
Patrolling the many halls of Atlantis had become a favourite pastime for Samantha Carter, Colonel of the USAF and commander of the Atlantis expedition. She found the excersise calming and used the time not only to think (something she couldn't help doing anyway) but also to get to know those under her command personally. It was something she'd watched her former CO, General Hammond, do throughout his seven years at the SGC and knew it helped to inspire confidence and a greater liking for a base leader.
In the few months since receiving the post, Sam had become used to the slightly cool greetings of those under her command. She knew Dr. Weir had been popular and loved by military and non-military personnel alike. At the same time, Sam was used to these less-than-warm receptions; after you've blown up a sun and flown an asteroid through the centre of the earth, people never look at you in quite the same way.
Still, she was a little confused by the reception she was getting today. Whereas before her cheerful "hello" would have been reciprocated with a tight-lipped nod, she was now being greeted with full-on smirks. One young scientist actually offered up a very sarcastic, "Good morning Colonel" in response. Pondering the confusing behaviour of her personnel, Sam ran straight into a muttering McKay.
Ever the dramatist, he lurched back, rubbing his head dramatically.
"Ow! Jesus Sam, look where you're going!"
"Sorry Rodney, I was miles away. Did I hurt you?"
He scoffed sarcastically. "Only a bit! My head really hurts! I think I'm starting to get a lump. Wait…" he began to dab his forehead frantically. "Am I bleeding?!"
With more patience than she felt, Sam peeled his fingers away.
"Rodney…"
He cut her off. "What?! I'm bleeding aren't I?! I need to get to the infirmary. Quick, help me, I'm not sure I can walk".
"MCKAY!" Sam's patience wore off quicker than she thought it would. "There's nothing there!" She pointed to his head. "No bump, no blood. Nothing!"
He hesitated before producing an alternative. "I could be bleeding internally".
She rolled her eyes, "Rodney, I highly doubt it. I barely even hit you! There's nothing to worry about".
He looked at her, still holding his head. "Yeah…well…hey! Hear you got a present from Earth". He frowned. "Roses?! I mean, come on Sam, what a cliché!" He rolled his eyes.
Sam was momentarily stunned. She checked the date on her watch, still set to Earth time: 13th February. He wouldn't have, would he? He couldn't have sent her flowers through the Stargate! Suddenly it dawned on her; that's why everyone was looking at her strangely!
Rodney snapped his fingers, bringing her abruptly into the present. "Sam…Sam! Earth to Sam!" He paused, "Well I suppose technically it's Atlantis to Sam!" The self-satisfied smile faded from his lips as he realised she was not listening.
Sam cleared her throat. "Excuse me Rodney. I need to err…go and read a report".
She strode past him quickly in the direction of her personal quarters.
McKay stood stock still, completely poleaxed and trying to think up a way to convince Keller to give him a CT scan. Suddenly he spun, calling out before she disappeared round a corner.
"Hey Sam! Who're they from?"
No reply. Rodney muttered and limped exaggeratedly towards the infirmary.
In the quiet privacy of her quarters, Sam's gaze flicked between his photo and the twelve long-stemmed red roses in the bouquet in front of her. She sighed, smoothing the delicate crimson petals between her fingers. Someone had laid them very carefully on the desk in her outer office and yet some of the flower heads had still been a little crushed.
She smiled; still disbelieving he'd had the audacity to send her flowers through the Stargate! Must have come with the care package from Earth this morning, she mused. She hadn't been present when it arrived, choosing instead to sit in on a jumper piloting lesson John had been giving the non-military personnel.
Beside her on the bed was a card with a blank envelope. It had been tucked safely and securely inside the bouquet wrap. Sam hadn't touched it, except to remove it from the flowers, in an attempt to prolong the moment when she'd have something to read from him. She'd accepted the Atlantis posting willingly; she was immensely flattered to be considered for such a prestigious commanding position at her age. She had an immense modesty and refused to realise she was the genius everyone, especially Jack, took her for. She knew Jack had recommended her for the posting, though he'd never admit it to her openly. She also knew how torn he must have been, had felt it herself. When she left all the feelings of guilt and abandonment resonated in her mind, not unlike those she'd experienced in Antarctica all those years ago. Still, like time after time, they'd swallowed their feelings, put on their dress blues and done their duty.
After twenty minutes she could bear it no longer and she quickly picked up the envelope, slender fingers pulling out the small card inside. It was covered in Jack's untidy scrawl and Sam blinked back tears as she let the words fall into her heart.
Sam, sorry we can't be together tomorrow. I'm sure you know everything I'm thinking and feeling. Yours, always. Jack.
p.s. Happy Valentine's Day!
A watery chuckle emerged from Sam's throat. They'd both discussed this. It was a silly, pointless holiday. Why did they need to prove their love to the world on one day when they both knew exactly how they felt? That and it wasn't really up either of their alleys! And that's a miracle, she thought, considering how long it took us to get here.
And yet, Sam knew, as she perched on her empty bed in the Pegasus Galaxy, running her fingers over his writing, it was an important day for them; a kind of milestone in their relationship. And here they were, about to spend it apart.
Placing the card and flowers on the bed, Sam's hands went to her neck and she pulled out a long white-gold chain. Kissing the ring that dangled from it, Sam Carter made a decision.
Stepping through the Stargate on the morning of the 14th February, Sam wondered if she'd made a mistake. Daniel and Vala were definitely smirking at each other and back at her whilst even Teal'c had a slight smile on his face. Deciding to play it cool, Sam cleared her throat, sauntering down the ramp, not realising just how much like Jack she looked.
"Hey guys, what's up?" And sounded.
Daniel snorted as Vala fell against him giggling. Teal'c merely raised an eyebrow.
Regaining some sort of composure Daniel smiled and leaned forward to kiss her on the cheek. "Hey Sam, how you doin'? So…uhh…" He cleared his throat as Vala began to giggle once more, "why you back…?"
Sam rolled her eyes, pushing past her smirking welcoming committee heading up to General Landry's office. Behind her she could hear Daniel, Vala and even Teal'c collapse in fits of laughter. She tried to suppress a smile of her own.