Oh, For Pete's Sake

Chapter One: The Conversations We Have In Elevators

A/N: So this is going to be a fun little jaunt, I hope! A twoshot that has everything you could ever want…okay, maybe not everything. But many things! But the most interesting thing about this story is DUN DUN DUN…

It's my first ever DeletePete fic! I've been around for several years, so it really is deplorable that I've never done one. Especially given how you all know how I feel about Pete. Actually, maybe you don't. I think I've only mentioned him two or three times in all my stories combined. So, bottom line, couldn't stand the guy. Not even a little. Though I did like him on that Disney Channel show. And those dog food commercials.

Enjoy!

Pete stood awkwardly in the center of the SGC elevator. Sam had called him down here, saying that she had a surprise for him. He had briefly wondered what that surprise could be; maybe she wanted to take him through the gate somewhere…? Pete shifted; he didn't know how comfortable he was with that.

The airman who had escorted him into the base and, subsequently, the elevator looked back at Pete. The officer was standing at parade rest, but his eyes were wary and Pete got the distinct sense that the man did not approve of his being here. Pete knew he would never fit in here and he wasn't asking to be accepted, but he kind of wished people would stop looking at him like that.

Turning back around, Airman Will Peterson rolled his eyes. He didn't understand why this guy was here, let alone what Colonel Carter saw in him. The day the SGC had learned of Colonel Carter's engagement to this shrub had been a sad day indeed.

Mostly because Peterson had lost quite a bit of money to Nurse Lefkowitz, but still. He did care about the happiness of the two senior officers. And that was mostly because they literally held the fate of the universe in their hands a lot of the time. And happy people make happy decisions.

But still. They deserved to be happy.

The airman was jolted from his thoughts when the elevator stopped and the doors opened.

To reveal one Jack O'Neill.

The airman smirked to himself. This ought to be good…

….

Jack bounced on the balls of his feet as he waited for the elevator. Two nurses came around the corner, abruptly going silent when they saw him. "Ladies." Jack acknowledged, raising an eyebrow when they stared at him for another moment, before bursting into giggles.

"General." They said from behind their hands before hurrying off down the corridor.

"Women." Jack sighed, shaking his head slightly. "They just keep getting weirder."

Jack turned back as he heard the elevator doors open and promptly felt like someone had punched him in the stomach. The man already in the elevator looked back at him, his expression reflecting what Jack was feeling. The General considered turning around and walking away, but decided he was better than that.

Maybe.

"Pete." Jack smiled as he stepped into the elevator, ignoring the significant look the airman gave him.

"General!" Pete responded enthusiastically. Too enthusiastically.

Peterson grinned internally.

As the doors began to shut, a shout caused Peterson to press the 'Door Open' button.

"Wait! Hold the elevator!" The disembodied voice shouted before its speaker had come into view.

A very familiar disembodied voice.

Ah, hell.

Sam came jogging down the hall and thanked the airman before stopping dead in her tracks. The elevator was already occupied. By Pete.

And General O'Neill.

Double hell.

"Uh, hi, sir. Pete." Sam's deer in the headlights look disappeared as she pulled her military mask over her face. She stepped in the elevator, both men moving aside so that she was standing in the middle. 'Oh God, Oh God, Oh God.' Sam's face didn't betray the panicked mantra running through her head. 'Don't panic. It's a short ride. Just four floors and then you're free.'

Sam jumped when Pete placed his hand on the small of her back. "Oh. Sorry." She grimaced when Pete drew back his hand, doing his best not to look hurt. A flicker of movement to her left told her that the General was doing his best to look away.

Sam watched the red numbers roll by, relieved that there was just one floor to go, when a sudden jolt sent her stumbling to the side, bumping into the General. He steadied her, placing two hands on her shoulders and bracing her back against his chest.

"Airman, report." Jack barked, looking at the young man standing by the number panel.

"I don't know, sir. Looks like a technical difficulty." The airman picked up the black phone. "This is Airman Peterson, requesting service to elevator section C level 18." A pause. "Hello?" He turned to look at the General. "No response, sir." Peterson was about to turn back around when he noticed that Colonel Carter was still leaning against O'Neill, his hands casually resting on her shoulders.

"Um, Sam?" Pete said, looking between Sam and the General.

Jack immediately dropped his hands, instantly missing the contact, while Sam stepped away from him. "Sorry, I fell." Sam said lamely, avoiding eye contact with her fian—Pete. 'Can't even finish that word in your head, huh, Sam?' A small voice whispered. Sam tried to ignore what that meant, but it was getting harder and harder to do that.

"Right." Pete glared momentarily at Jack before dropping his gaze.

The airman stifled a delighted giggle. He couldn't wait until he could tell everyone about this. They were going to be so jealous!

"Airman," Sam started, just a bit too loudly. She cleared her throat and continued. "Are you sure the phone isn't working?"

"Yes, ma'am." Just to be sure, he lifted the receiver to his ear again, but was met with only silence. No, wait…he could hear something! It almost sounded like—

"Does anybody else hear that?" Pete scrunched his face, concentrating on the strange, distant sound.

Sam and Jack glanced at each other, identical looks of trepidation crossing their faces. Jack raised his hand to silence Pete as the man made to ask another question. Quietly, he moved to the edge of the elevator and pressed his ear against the cold wall. He only needed a second to confirm what they already feared. Silently, he shot Carter a look and nodded once.

Instantly, Sam pushed forward, dropping to her knees to begin working on the edge of the control panel. "Airman, we need to get those doors open. Now."

TBC

A/N: Please R and R! Part two will be up tomorrow or Sunday!