Scuff Marks On The Door
Author's Note: This story was inspired by my summer job, which consists of washing walls, painting walls, washing doors and painting doors. Sounds fun doesn't it?
Chapter 1
Jack headed for the lift, his bag swung over his left shoulder. Sam, who had refused to accompany him on his latest fishing trip, was escorting him to the lift. Jack sighed.
-This is your last chance, Carter. 'Cuz this time, I'm not comin' back.
-Sir?
-I think I'm gonna take up permanent residence in the great state of Minnesota. Just me and the lake. No more worries. No more SGC.
-Right, sir.
-No, I'm serious. I'm getting too old for this. You guys don't really need me around here. It's time for me to retire…again.
-Sir, you don't really mean that?
-Yes, I do. If you don't believe me now, that's fine. But, just wait a week and when I'm not back you'll know why.
With that he entered the lift. Sam tried desperately to think of something to say, some way to tell him not to go, that they needed him, that she needed him. But she couldn't. The door was almost closed when suddenly Jack let out a gasp and stuck his hand in the door, pausing the lift.
-Carter, is that what I think it is?
She looked to see what he was pointing at…a door in the hallway.
-If you think it's a scuff mark.
-What is that doing on the door?! It doesn't belong there!
-Yes well, my guess is, they're on all the doors.
-What?!? We can't have that!
He quickly exited the lift, ran over to the door, licked his finger and tried to rub it off with no success. Jack sighed.
-Carter, get Siler down here. We've got work to do.
-I thought you were going fishing?
-So did I, but there are more important things at stake here. Apparently, I'm still needed after all. Well…don't just stand there. Go get Siler!
-Yes sir!
Sam ran off, while Jack stood there contemplating the tremendous job before them.