COPYRIGHT: existing characters belong to MGM and the creators of the Stargate Franchise. Story written for fan fiction.

AUTHOR: lezaanv

SUMMARY: Jack decides to dictate his behavior towards Sam by using the game of chess. Turns out, it's not as easy as he thought it would be.

Story set during Season 7 of Stargate SG1.

EPISODES: usage of episodes are mentioned in the chapter titles.

CHARACTERS: Colonel Jack O'Neill, Major Samantha Carter

PLEASE BE ADVISED: story has not been beta'd. I apologize in advance for any mistakes. They are unfortunately mine.


LIFE'S BUT A CHESS GAME


"After a bad opening, there is hope for the middle game. After a bad middle game, there is hope for the endgame."

- Edmar Mednis


He marked the streak of honey blonde hair disappear from view and heaved a long irritated sigh. Collapsing in the chair, he buried his face in his hands, rubbed at his eyes, before raking them through his cropped silver hair.

Critical thinking.

Problem solving.

Pattern recognition.

Planning ahead.

Focus.

Enhanced battle strategy.

These were the mental abilities stimulated by playing chess over the years. However, when it came to the matter of feelings, he found some lacked durability, and then there were those who endured ardently. And seeing as those in particular dictated his mind, he hated them with a passion.

Jack placed his arms on the desk's surface, overlapped his hands, then placed his forehead on his knuckles. Growling under his breath, he imagined a giant chessboard and its pieces. He pretended to walk along its checkered equator, stopped in its center.

White located to the left while black situated to the right. He spun once, twice, then halted and squinted at the defensive line of black pawns mimicking oversized arrowheads. Their stature placed them at about waist height while the castles and knights levelled with his chest. The bishops reached his shoulders. The king and queen stood at head height.

Hands inside his pockets, he canted his head to the side and narrowed his eyes once more.

Why this and not Maui with its stunning beaches?

"Your beginning determines your finish. Play wisely, Jack."

"Why thank you imagination." He quipped at the empty void above.

"Spot opportunities – those often clearly defined as successful. Simplify things, but also remember to plan three moves ahead for each of your pieces. Question your opponent's motives. Don't get pinned down. Be flexible."

Jack waved the voice off. "Yeah, yeah, I get the picture."

The black king vanished, then in the blink of an eye he stood in its place. Crosswise, the white queen disappeared with Sam replacing its position.

He huffed a sigh, rubbed at his forehead. "Well at least I don't have to use magnets to explain how nutty I've become."

"Remember your set is not solely reliable upon your Queen. Replace wishful thinking with action. You have other pieces that can help you win."

"Swanking advice, chum." He gave a thumb's up to no one in particular, then gestured at the opponent's side. "Placing her over there makes this for an even more thrilling match. Oh yeah." He locked eyes with her. "May the best man or woman win."

"Colonel?"

In a jiff, the chessboard disappeared underneath his feet, leaving him standing in the black void.

"Colonel, are you okay?" Sam asked through the haze.

Jack lifted his head and gazed at the puzzled Major. "Never better Carter." He sat upright and questioned her presence with a cant of his head. "Hm?"

Her blues expanded somewhat before blinking a few times. She thumbed over her shoulder. "Oh, General Hammond wants to see you in his office."

Gritting his teeth, he stood and walked by her, with what looked like the weight of the world on his shoulders and exited the office. She scowled at the behavior, gazing with narrowed eyes as he strolled down the corridor.

"Um, Colonel." She called after him, then swallowed deeply as she silently cursed the foolish action.

Jack halted mid-stride, glanced over his shoulder, barely noticing her form in the limited line of sight. However, what she saw from her side made her reconsider the move. He was out of sorts. She didn't know why, and yet calling attention to it would only alienate him. Even so, her action had merit – he was wrestling internally.

She bit her bottom lip and nodded. "Never mind."

Satisfied, he flicked a hand in the air and walked away. "Adios Carter."

Black seizes a pawn. Fair play, O'Neill.