MIAPLACIDUS by Isobel
Author's notes + Timeline + Spoilers…
So at first I just have to apologize. I was fighting a bit of a writer's block these past days… actually well... maybe few weeks. I'm sorry guys. I have so many stories planned – about a ton of notes and ideas written down but it seems like I needed a pause you know? So before I start another bigger story and before I will give you all the promised sequels you had asked me to write, here's something small.
It's a possible sequel to Little star named Samantha story but you don't have to know it. I will repeat and elaborate the important part of the story that had brought this one on in the first chapter. I hope everything will be clear then! :o)
I will post this as a multichapter story – each chapter for season, starting with season four, ending with season eight. Some particular episodes might be mentioned a bit but this story is not supposed to deal with the events of those episodes. This story is written as something that could have been part of the show so you might want to know the general contents... more info about episodes directly mentioned in A/N in every chapter.
Beta: none so far but I'm sure she'll do her magic later :o) Alia - story is all yours :o)
Dedication: This is for you, my dear gatehead81! Hope it will make you smile! :o)
Chapter 1 – Sparkling surprise
It was a freezing day but the sun was shining so it was actually a beautiful day. SG-1 had just gotten back from Arta Ricordi the day before. Jack loved the weather, he really loved the weather. It was making him quite happy. The sun bright and warm and the sky with its absolutely perfect shade of blue… Besides Arta Ricordi was no fun this time. The planet was beautiful, yes. It was one of those he could like but without Carter…? Nope, not so much. Actually he had gotten so used to having her around that being on a mission without her just felt wrong.
But well, having her on this particular planet had been tricky once already. This was definitely better than any possible horrible alternative. She was safe on Earth, surely having fun in her lab. Ha, yeah, he could imagine that.
Finding her father on the base and having the little chat with him, oh that was a surprise as well. Who would have thought that good old Jake could be such a good guy, huh? Oh yeah, he could. Full of surprises! And just a little bit scary.
"Jack!"
"Jacob! Hey… what brings you to this lovely planet?"
"I had some things to discuss with Doctor Fraiser and Sam…"
"Oh, the research…"
"Yeah…" The two men continued walking through the corridors together, both at ease.
"Fraiser is not here, is she?"
"No, but we managed without her…"
"And you stayed."
"Yeah, I have a few days…" And he sounded really thrilled.
"So you're gonna spend them with Carter?"
"Why…?" And Jake was looking fairly suspicious.
"Just asking…" But the look on his face spoke differently.
"Sure thing…"
"Yeah…"
"So you are not by any chance planning on surprising my daughter with a birthday party, are you?"
"What's the correct answer here?"
"Ha…" And he couldn't help it, the chuckle just couldn't be stopped.
"What?"
"Nothing…" But he couldn't stop grinning. It was sometimes so easy to throw Jack off balance.
"Don't worry, Jack. It's okay. But I'm taking my girl to dinner today so you might want to postpone your party to the weekend."
"Understood."
"You're gonna bring cake, right?" Jacob asked him then.
"Cake?"
"Yeah, that round sweet thing you love so much? And that just by coincidence is usually part of a birthday party…?" Jacob was making fun of him and they both knew it. So he just couldn't understand why would Jack look so stunned suddenly.
"Well here's the thing… can I ask you something…?"
"Something…?"
"Personal."
"Oh…"
They both stopped in their tracks, looking at each other. Jack knew that there was not a thing for him to say. He needed to wait. This was all up to Jacob. As her CO Jack shouldn't even be asking about this. But he was hoping that Jacob had gotten to know him pretty well during the last year or two.
Jacob was thinking about it. He was supposed to tell Jack to go to hell, he knew. But the hopeful look in his eyes, the love shining there behind everything… he couldn't hide it or deny it anymore. Oh yes, Jacob knew about the deep feeling growing between his daughter and her Commanding officer. One part of him was scared about the possible outcome but the other one, guarded by Selmak, couldn't but smile and hope. Oh and tease, definitely tease.
"So… what can I do for you, Jack?"
"It's … some time ago, on one planet we got … a bit talkative." At that Jacob smirked.
"Anyway, Carter talked about something from her childhood. It was a… eh… a cake. She mentioned some special cake her mom used to bake for her… any chance you might know the…"
"Recipe?"
"Yeah…"
Jack was getting really unsure of himself. Here he was, standing in the middle of a corridor in a top secret facility, talking to a man carrying an alien in his body, asking him to reveal an old family secret. Suddenly it didn't seem as the best idea ever. What the hall had he been thinking? Asking Jacob. He was ready to apologize and run away when Jacob nodded and asked him for a pen and paper.
"What?"
"Well I can just tell you but you'd have to remember it."
"Oh. Yeah. Sure."
He looked around and couldn't find anything. Then he tried his pockets. And he found a small notepad there with a small pencil. Oh yeah, he had started to carrying these around some time ago because of Daniel. He would always need a pen and a piece of paper and having none. He gave it to Jacob.
"You better not screw this up, O'Neill." Oh-oh, the military serious tone… Jack had to swallow. He got just a bit scared.
"I won't." He didn't hesitate with the answer. Jacob liked that.
"I surely hope so."
"Thank you, Jacob."
Jacob just nodded and smiled, partially amused by the way Jack had been squirming. Oh that man was troubles. But there was something about him…
And so he arranged everything, called everybody and they just planned the whole thing for Saturday.
After talking to Carter in her lab he watched her leave with Jacob. And that was his moment to leave as well. He knew he had few hours to follow his plan.
Few weeks, maybe months ago, he wasn't actually sure anymore, he had been visiting his friend. And he noticed something that could be considered only as the perfect gift for his favorite astrophysicist. He didn't hesitate with the purchase. He knew that giving it to her on her birthday party would be like signing in into a prison for breaking the fraternization rules so he had to figure out something else.
And so here he was. After figuring out what to give her for the Christmas, he had this secret present and along with it he had to think of some … publicly acceptable present. Oh he was so deep in the troubles. But somehow he didn't mind. This was sort of nice. It could mean the prison in the end but well… it was surely worth absolutely everything.
So he found himself on the doorstep of Carter's house with the spare key in his hand. Oh yeah, he had her key. She had his as well. Actually, it was not that unusual among the SG teams. Those people with families were a bit different case, but the rest? They simply had each other's keys, just to be sure. He had never used it before. Well at least now while being alone there. There were times when the spare keys had come in handy for the team members.
But this was the first time he was alone. It felt kind of creepy. But he was a man on mission and he was surely planning on finishing this little trip.
Checking out the surroundings once more and he was ready to go. He opened the door and walked straight to the living room. At first he was thinking about placing the little surprise into her bedroom but somehow that was a bit too much. No, she would probably kick his ass later for doing so. Well, maybe she would tease him and make him squirm and enjoy the torture in that case. She would probably kick him for this anyway. But what the hell…?
So he placed the items onto her table and had to smile. It seemed to be a bit too easy. But maybe he finally got lucky at least once in his life! Anyway he opted for a quick disappearance, just to be sure.
Jacob was having a very nice time with his daughter. Enjoying the conversation and all that was going on. She really seemed to be happy. And he had to be wondering, why? How? But he could be just grateful. After years of living in fear and with something really painful deep in his heart it was simply beautiful and calming to see his beloved child like this. Silently he thanked Selmak for giving him the chance to fix things with his children. And he left no space for arguing. He knew very well that Selmak was one of the main reasons he had finally find the courage to do something about the messed up relationships in his family.
And then the strange grief crossed the features of his daughter when he had told her about Martouf's idea. Their relationship had always been a mystery to him. But after the short moment of sadness she seemed to be really happy and touched by the gift.
"It was a very good idea to finish our friend's thought, Jacob. Your daughter seems to be really happy…" Selmak commented the situation. And Jacob could only agree.
But then everything changed. They got to her place and there was the flower on the table. He freaked out, yeah, he did. The thought of somebody breaking in into her house made his blood boil. And not even Selmak could calm him down. But his daughter just sat down and smiled and almost started to cry in about a minute.
He would always remember the flower. It was a beautiful bright blue flower, like the summer sky, like a clear mountain lake water, something between lily and rose, soft and with a very nice smell.
"Do you know what this is?" She asked him softly.
"I have never seen it before." Both he and Selmak were thinking but they couldn't place the flower anywhere.
"I have… on one planet. I couldn't keep my eyes away, the flower had completely gotten me. And it had no name. Colonel O'Neill told the locals that they could name it after me because I had obviously fallen for it…"
"So…?"
"So this flower is called Samanthia." Jacob's mouth formed a big O then. That was most probably the most romantic thing he had ever heard of. Only naming a star after her could be better... he almost smirked at that. He had this feeling that even that would happen one day. Ha.
"Somebody brought this from that planet and put it into your living room?" And he didn't need his daughter's IQ to figure out whom.
"Yes… " And she knew he would deserve an explanation but she had a pretty good idea about the origin of her present. Little she knew he had the idea too.
She didn't tell him one thing. On their way from the planet she asked her CO why he had suggested her name. And after he stopped trying playing numb he just smiled sheepishly and told her "it's the same color as your eyes when you are excited about something…". And if she knew him at all her guess would be that her CO had brought it for her.
She took the box and opened it. And she gasped. She found a pair of earrings there. She wasn't sure but they looked like being made from white gold. And the little stone there could as well be a diamond. They were shaped as little stars. They were elegant, gentle and very light. They were delicate and absolutely … perfect.
"Wow… Sam… they are beautiful."
"They are… oh yes, they are."
And despite the fact that her hand was shaking, she reached for the note. And she could only smile then. She was near to laughing out loud and to crying as well. Such a mess…
"Sam? What's written there?"
"It says… it says happy birthday lovely little star named Samantha."
"Oh…"
And neither knew what to say. She kept on playing with the box, Jacob was watching her, trying to grasp the situation, to understand it all. But it was very difficult for him. The birthday gift was a small surprise, sparkling and beautiful. And it had gotten to her.
Sam was overwhelmed, shocked, happy and feeling some very inappropriate feelings, having some very inappropriate thoughts. And she wasn't sure if she wanted to fight them or not.
"Sammie? You okay?"
"What?"
"You okay?"
"Yeah, dad, I'm fine. Well, no, maybe I'm not… but yeah, I think… I don't know..."
He just glared at her with the "stop messing with me" look in his eyes. She just sighed and leaned back on the couch. In a moment she was laughing softly and crying almost silently. Jacob had no idea about what to do. His daughter was obviously confused and overwhelmed, thinking way too much, still holding the little box.
She looked at him then, knowing she should at least try to explain it to him. She didn't want him to get the wrong impression. She couldn't wipe the smile from her face and she couldn't stop the tears from falling down her cheeks.
"Dad…"
"No, shh… you don't have to say a word, kiddo." And he just caressed her cheek. He could smile at her, try to reassure her but he knew there was little he could actually do. She didn't need her father right then.
"Sammie, I'm not going to ask, okay? At least not yet. Right now I think I don't want to know a thing. But… just try to remember that I am not stupid, I am not blind and I am not deaf, okay?"
"Dad…"
"Sam I know it's hard to believe it but I know you, you are my little girl, my daughter. And I know you."
And she could only smile and nod and lean in for a hug. He held her and then after a moment decided to say the last thing he wanted her to know, for now.
"I trust you, Sam. I trust you."
And he was hoping she would get the point. And well, she got it. She held onto him and knew that she had her beloved daddy back in her life. Supporting her, loving her. She was sure he would tease her about this later but right now he was just what she needed – her father.
"I love you kiddo..." He whispered.
"I love you too, dad." She whispered back, surprised by her own emotions.
Jacob got up and was about to walk away but then he stopped dead in his tracks. There was one thing on his mind. He wanted to tell her but was unsure about all the 'ifs'. But then Selmak just nudged him to speak his mind and be faithful to his own heart. And so he turned back and looked at his little girl how she was smiling and crying and trying to survive her own pain mixed with hope and all the other feelings she had to be feeling.
"Sam… if there is a person on this planet … or in the universe, that deserves to know why you hadn't joined the NASA, the real reason behind it, it's the one who gave you the earrings, the one that knows your favorite childhood story and that can understand... completely." He knew he had emotions in his voice but for once he was not ashamed of it.
"Dad…"
"Good night."
And so he left her there. Thinking.
In less than 24 hours she had experienced something incredible. Her friends had showed up with cake and presents. And she loved the presents, all of them. Especially the set of one huge map of the Stargate System and fluorescent paint she got so she could have it somewhere on her ceiling. That was really really cute. ,
Oh and what was even better? The man she had fallen in love with against all the odds and risks brought her the cake her mom used to bake for her when she was a kid. Besides, maybe as a birthday present, her father did something. He gave her one unique chance to talk to her CO … sort of in private.
It was actually a brilliant idea. Everybody was gone. And Sam needed to talk to O'Neill. She really needed it. And then her father simply told Daniel to let people on the base know that he was staying over at his daughter's place. He went to bed and so Sam found herself alone with her CO. And they both knew they could talk because nobody would ever dare to accuse them of anything inappropriate. Her father was there after all!
So she spent the evening on the couch with one and only Jack O'Neill, talking to him, confessing to him to one of her darkest secrets. It was one of the few things she had always been very ashamed of. Why she hadn't joined the NASA back then? Oh, she had a reason. And now he knew.
And as her father had told her before, Jack was simply understanding. She was worried that he'd be judging, he'd be annoyed, disappointed, something… anything… but no, he was just there, supportive, completely understanding and… he was simply there for her. She could have never hoped for more.
Sometimes during the talk, well, more like her monologue, he'd shifted on the couch and so she ended up in his arms, leaning against his side with her head resting comfortably in the crook of his neck. After all had been said from both sides, she just snuggled closer and tried to rest for a moment. She had almost fallen asleep then. But there was one last thing on her mind.
"Oh… and thank you for the earrings, they are perfect."
"Glad you like them, Carter."
"Eh... nope. I love them."
"Even better..."
"When you ask me out one day, I'm gonna wear them."
And with that she just nuzzled her face into his neck and fell asleep. Jack, on the other hand, was quite awake. Hearing her talk about personal issues and memories was one thing. But hearing her saying things like 'when you ask me out' was something completely different. And took all his willpower not try to imagine her wearing just those earrings.
He wanted to leave but somehow managed to fall asleep as well. For once in his life he felt too comfortable to just get up and go. He knew it was dangerous, he knew it would cause troubles and lots of unnecessary thinking later but well… for once he obviously let his heart decide what to do.
Neither would be able to understand in the morning how they managed to fall asleep like that. Usually they would be more careful. After an hour or two they would usually be up and he would leave and she would go to sleep... not like this. They had never done something so reckless. But somehow this time… it happened. It just did.
When Jack woke up, Sam was curled up to his side and he was more than just holding her close. They shifted during the night, he was lying on his back and she was actually more on top of him then next to him. Immediately this morning had become one of his most favorite ones. Sleeping Carter in his arms, her hair going crazy, her crumpled clothes and the soft occasional snorts. Oh he was a happy man. She was so warm and somehow soft in his arms. He could feel the emotions running through him, enveloping him, calming and beautiful.
Then the reality set it. He was sleeping with Carter on her couch in her house with her father being there. Her father! Oh.
Sam knew that she surely had been dreaming something really nice. When she woke up, she felt absolutely incredibly loved and secured. Oh what a dream she must have had. She decided to stay asleep for a bit longer, not really willing to face the reality. Not yet. Enveloped in the warmth was way better than getting up.
She closed her eyes and then felt the couch move. And then the couch kissed her hair. And caressed her skin. The surreality of it hit her like a truck. She dared to look up then and saw the most handsome face ever. Jack. She could just smile at him then.
She could tell that she was about to start panicking but then the rest of the events came. She had the birthday party. And they talked. And obviously fell asleep.
"Hey…" He said suddenly.
"Hey…" She could do nothing else but respond. She was a mess, wasn't she?
"Slept good?"
"Think so…"
"Carter… not that I want to destroy this perfect and only a bit weird moment we're having because I kinda like it but I should probably go.."
"It's okay, Sir. My father's here, nobody would dare to accuse us of anything… Besides I'm sure it's still early. It had to be early… Honestly, I really don't want to get up, not just yet... Sir."
"Repeat the beginning to yourself, Carter…." He knew she had to understand. But on the other hand, staying there with her sounded pretty good as well.
"The beginning? Well, as I said, my father's here…. Oh… OH!" Her eyes were wide in shock then.
"Yep."
They both sat up then. Slowly. Reluctantly. She seemed to be so nicely embarrassed that he could hardly believe it. But on the other hand he felt like an idiot. Did he really just …fell asleep? What the hell was wrong with him? But oh man… wasn't she the best thing to see in the morning?
Even although he knew he should be getting up and leaving in a hurry, he couldn't make himself to do so. For the next few minutes they were just sitting there, both trying to grasp the events and analyze the situation. Then she kissed his cheek and very quickly left him sitting there.
And Jack understood. This was out of line and so damn beautiful that he really had to go. So he just wished her a good day and left. So in the end only the last few minutes were embarrassing and weird. That was good. It could have been much worse.
Jacob hadn't said a word in the next two days. Things were quite okay between Sam and her CO. Thankfully. Actually, nobody said a word. Daniel was smiling at them strangely for a few days but nothing else. So the little evening talk had actually gone well.
Only then Jack found an envelope in his office. He opened it and the picture that was inside made him sit down. It was one perfect picture of Carter sleeping in his arms. It was obviously taken on the Saturday evening, after they had fallen asleep. It was amazing that she could fit into his arms like that. Like she had always belonged there…
Then it hit him. He was so so so much in troubles. There was only one person that could have taken it. Jacob Carter. D'oh!
Sam got the picture as well. She knew that her father would tease her about it pretty soon but somehow she couldn't care, not just yet. She just smiled and locked the picture in a very safe box she kept in her closet. She was sure nobody would ever be able to find the box. And so she had her most personal things there… those she wasn't actually supposed to have, yet to love and cherish.
At first she wanted to put the earrings there as well but then decided against it. Nobody could tell who had given them to her. So she put them into her drawer, right next to the jewellery she had after her mom. They belonged there anyway.
She wanted to throw away the note but couldn't do it in the end. So she opened the box again, found the picture of her sleeping peacefully in the arms of man that had given her the earrings and the note and put it there. Somehow it belonged there, all together.
She knew this all would mean troubles later… but she would deal with them then - later. She took the earrings out again, she just had to try them on. And when she did, she had to admit that they were indeed perfect. Sparkling, beautiful, elegant and … from him.
A/N: So if you are wondering about the 'childhood story' bit – read the Little star story, it's all there :o) You know from this chapter what's important from the Little star for this story! :o) Chapter 2 should be up soon, we'll see ;o)) And hey - any ideas how exactly could the earrings look like? Don't be afraid to share them! Links for pictures welcomed :o)) Just put some spaces in between or some brackets or stars or something... you know how it works :o))
