It was nice being back in Washington, it was nice having the opportunity to show Jack, Colonel O'Neill the sights. He wasn't a big fan of Washington I could tell, but he smiled anyway.
After our last mission things had changed, but they had also stayed the same. As a team we are close, as friends we are very close, but being alone with him again bought back memories. Memories of things we both promised to forget.
We walked into the conference center together "punch?" O'Neill asked me with a smile.
"Please Sir" I replied, as he walked away I couldn't help but notice how good he looked in his dress blues 'stop it' I scolded myself. They are not thoughts you are allowed to have for your superior officer.
When I caught the eye of General Hammond I noticed the man he was talking to "dad?"
"I invited Jake myself, thought you might enjoy the surprise" Hammond looked so pleased with himself.
"Really sir, that's sweet" I said, a little shocked. It was nice, I guess, but Dad and I haven't seen eye to eye on a lot of things lately, especially after I joined the Stargate Program.
"George and I served together when the Air Force really was this countries first line of deference" And there as my Dads arrogance.
"It still is" Carter protested, if only she could tell him what they really did in that mountain. It was hard having a higher security clearance than you own father.
"Sure"
O'Neills Point of View
I handed Carter her punch and was rewarded with one of her smiles "thank you Sir" she said. There it was that one little word that was really starting to annoy me.
General Hammond introduced General Jacob Carter and I could sense Carter tense up. I could guess the connection and I knew why she was nervous. But that secret was ours, neither of us would tell, could tell.
"Carter, as in…?" I could see the worry on Sams face.
"As in my Father, Sir yes"
"Get out of town. Sams Dad?" I smiled and shook his hand "I have heard nothing about you sir" That made Sam smile again.
Carters Point Of View
Here we go, Dad with his questions of Deep Space Radar Telemetry. I just hope he doesn't ask the Colonel anything specific. I know he doesn't believe be, I can see it on his face. He doesn't think I'm happy, if only he knew. I feel like shouting "I've been to other planets, one of my best friends is an alien and I've saved the earth a couple of times as well"
I must admit I missed most of what he was saying but when Jack, when Colonel O'Neill said "we have our moments" well, that look on his face said it all. It's the same smile and the same line, well almost, he used the morning after we shared that very small bed. So he does think about it too.
"Dad, I've been looking all over for you"
"You must be disappointed. Any idea why the president cancelled?"
"Colonel O'Neill witness an accident" I sighed "The president couldn't adjust his schedule. Bad timing all round" I could see the look on my Dads face "General Hammond is going to present us with the medals at a private ceremony back at the base"
He just nodded "it's the honour that matters, if I can be there or not"
"Dad…" I was going to say many things to him
"I have cancer Sam"
"What?"
"lymphoma"
With just one little word my whole world changed "that's bad"
"Its not good" he almost laughed "but it's not the worst, don't worry I'm going to be around for a while"
I couldn't say anything, I just felt numb. I may be a grown woman but the thought of losing my Dad… I don't know what I would do.
"I was hoping to stick around long enough to see you become and astronaut" and there it was again "I don't care what you do in that mountain, nothing could compare to going to space, not for you. It's something you wanted your whole life. I admit it, I want to see you fulfill your lives dreams before I die"
"But it's my dream, doesn't that make it up to me?" If only he knew. If only I could tell him. Space is nothing compared to what I've seen, where I've been and the people I've met along the way
"Fathers have dreams to"
"I'm sorry I can't"
"Alright" he turned and walked away "hey this things going to on for months, so don't feel like you have to check up on me tomorrow or anything. Congratulations on the medal, I'm sure you deserve it"
O'Neills Point of View
General Carter stormed passed me, looking mad or upset or something. If he was mad that means Sam, Carter, was probably upset as well.
"Carter?" I said. She was standing by the window, her ams wrapped around herself.
"It's nothing sir"
This wasn't nothing; this was not the Carter I knew. I shut the door and walked over to her, I didn't need to say anything.
"He's got cancer" she took another breath "he wants me to join NASA, before he dies. He wants me to go to space"
"I hear it's pretty nice up there"
Even though we both looked out the window I could see a small smile cross her lips "he doesn't understand"
"I know" I put an arm around here "we could talk to Hammond?" Sam rested her head on my shoulder.
"What's this?" a deep voce behind us said.
We sprang away from each and turned to face the angry face of Sams Dad "it's nothing dad"
"Doens't look like nothing. He's your superior officer Sam!"
"I know that!" She almost shouted at him. I knew it all too well. "I know that" she repeated softer this time.
"I know what it must've looked like, Sir" I said, and judging by the look on his face I wasn't helping the situation.
"You do, do you?"
"I was just comforting her"
"Really" he said stepping closer. "that's what you call it"
"People" General Hammond said walking into the room "we can hear you half way down the corridor"
"George, maybe you can tell me why Colonel O'Neill had his arm around my daughter?"
"Dad listen" Sam said stepping in front of me "Colonel O'Neill saw me crying" she took a deep breath, her voice still shacky "he's a friend" she looked back at me. Yes, we were friends, good friends.
"There's your answer" Hammond said "We need to get back to base now"
"Anything wrong sir?" Carters curiosity getting the better of her
"Not know" Hammond said, aware that General Carter did have the relevant clearance.
"That's it?" General Carter said "You don't see this as an infringement of regulations?"
I could see General Hammond choose his words carefully "You know I can't tell you want we do in the mountain, but I can tell you that these are of the best and most professional Airforce Officers I have had the privilege to work with. Now, we really must get back"