Had they really left it too long? Or was there someone else stopping this "thing between" them this time?
Not Tonight By StarnightSam
Disclaimer: Not mine, wish they were. Just playing with them. No money for me, not intending to infringe or keep them. These wonderful characters do not belong to me; they are the property of their creators! Thanks for the use of them, I really enjoy them!
Chapter One
Colonel Samantha Carter sat at the end of a bar on a stool she had occupied every night for the last three weeks, since her return from Atlantis. She had asked for and received a transfer from her command of Atlantis. She had loved the assignment which had lasted three years. But she was lonely and let's fact it, no one there exactly fit her want list.
Sure, Ronon and John were both sexy as all get out, not to mention Lorne. She'd even started to actually like Rodney. Not only did she feel they were off limits to her because she was their commanding officer, but her heart was held too tightly by someone else. Someone else that she didn't think gave a tinker's damn about her, at least not the way she wanted him to.
Sam sat thinking of all that she had left behind. To say that she was depressed was much too light. She was bordering on a full blown breakdown. Atlantis had not been an easy assignment. There was a constant threat from the Wrath even now, though they had made a significant dent in their numbers. And of course one could not forget the Replicators. Those sneaky sob's always posed a problem. Just as you thought you had destroyed them; they seemed to resurrect.
And she missed her family. Not just her biological family, but Daniel, Teal'c and Cass. She even missed Cam and Vala, hell she missed Vala a lot. She was as close to a real girlfriend since Janet Frazier. She snickered to herself. 'You can't even think to yourself that you miss him.'
Sam had tried really hard to put him out of her mind. So much so, that she wouldn't allow his name, or even his title to repeat itself in her mind any longer. She had been so hurt and disillusioned by his rejection of her that she couldn't bring herself to even consider him her friend any longer. It was the real reason she had so readily accepted the Atlantis assignment.
Two years of waiting, from the time of their trip to the cabin right after her father's death to her appointment to Commander of Atlantis, was all she allowed herself. She was done waiting for one Major General Jack O'Neill. She intended to "get that life" he'd always demanded of her. Only Sam didn't know where to start.
He sat at a small table obscured by the curve of the end of the bar. He had been there watching over her every night for three weeks, from the first night she had made it her permanent nightly residence. He had followed her from her house as he did each night thereafter. His heart hurt for her. But he had no clue as to what to do. He knew what he wanted to do, but she'd never in a million years go for that. Not with him.
He couldn't help but want to take care of her; it had been his job for so long. He had worried himself sick the whole time she had been in Atlantis. Now she was home. At least she was much safer here; he wouldn't have to wait for her name to appear in the obituaries.
He knew she could take care of herself, she'd proven it over and over. She'd even saved his sorry ass. But it was different now, he could tell. Something was off with her. He wished he had the courage to just sit by her. Maybe she'd talk to him. Maybe not. He knew that she would leave with the first man that paid just a little attention to her, as she had every night this week; but it wouldn't be him. Not now.
He watched as she ordered another drink. He knew she could hold her liquor as while as any man, but he'd watched her night after night get very drunk. That really worried him. He couldn't figure out what could cause Sam such pain that she had to drown it this long and this hard. It wasn't like her. He knew. He knew everything there was to know about Samantha Carter. He'd made it his business to know.
They had arrived early evening and had been in the bar well over three hours. He noticed as Sam became really agitated. He watched her eyes follow the couple that just entered the bar. 'Oh damn! Not him. No wonder she's suddenly a mess,' he thought.
He watched as the man walked to the bar to order drinks. Sam turned away hoping he wouldn't see her. It didn't work. He knew the General would notice Sam anywhere. He had a sixth sense as to her presence. She was like a magnet where he was concerned.
She turned her head just a little and there he was almost in her face. "Oh, you scared me," she almost shouted in slurred words.
"Hey, Carter. You look good. How's things? I haven't seen you in what, three years now?" He asked in a soft low voice that still turned her insides to mush.
He was lying. She looked like hell. She knew what she looked like. She was just drunk enough to forget he was still a superior officer; but not drunk enough to forget he had been what she'd wanted for over 13 years. But not once in that 13 years had he wanted her, not in her mind anyway. Just looking at him made her mad, almost fighting mad. How dare he act like he was her long lost best friend!
She was there to pick up a man. One who wouldn't make her think of him. What was he doing here anyway?! He was supposed to be in DC. Who was the woman this time? Oh, never mind. It made no difference who General O'Neill took to his bed; it sure would never be her.
Jack was trying to read her eyes. They had always been so good at reading each other without words. He had really missed her, but he'd never be able to tell her that. She had made her decision three years ago, when she accepted the Atlantis assignment. He had always hoped for a chance with Sam, but had finally realized she was too important and too young for him. She was barely over forty; well actually she was 43 and four months. He knew to the day how old she was. He knew everything about Samantha Carter. He'd made it his business.
"You didn't think I saw you, did you," he said, leaning a little into her. He loved her smell. Always had. Always. That hadn't turned out so good. He'd made a promise he hadn't been able to keep. He'd really wanted to, but it was too hard to be around Sam and not be with her. He had wanted all of her, but he knew that she wasn't ready. So he'd tried to let her go. She had so much potential and he had never been able to stand in the way of her career. He was just not that selfish.
"I don't give a damn if you did nor not. Sir! Just go and leave me the hell alone," she spat the words at him. The General was floored. What had he done to her, especially to make her this angry? He hadn't even talked to her since she shipped out to Atlantis.
At first, after going to DC, he had thought she would let him know when she was on down time, even secretly prayed that she would want to be with him. But she hadn't. Why was she so mad now?
He quickly realized that she was drunk. "Carter, maybe you need to let me take you home. You don't appear to be holding that stuff too well."
She picked up her drink and started to fling it at the General; but before she could someone moved in between them, holding her tight and took the glass from her hands.
"You don't want to do that, Sam," he whispered in her ear. Then speaking where all could hear him, "Sam, I'm sorry I'm late. Hope you didn't have to wait too long." Then his lips came down on hers.
TBC
End Notes: Needed a break from Moebius, and this just wouldn't leave me alone! Had to get it out of my head so I can finish Moebius. Any and all comments are most appreciated!