CARTER POV
We'd returned from P5X-984 earlier today and after an incredibly long debriefing we were finally free. I was thankful for the hot shower and a chance to return to my lab. I loved being a part of the SGC, but sometimes I longed for the days when all I had to focus on was my scientific work. But, for all the nostalgia, I would never want to give up what I have now. After all, the things we did, the technology we encountered, and the people that we were given the chance to meet, it was so much more then I could ever have imagined in my wildest dreams.
Of course the people were nothing short of a blessing either. I had the best of friends here, and they made up an amazing team. I would never in a million years trade anyone of them. There was of course one, in particular, that made the top of the list, and though I could never admit it, or explore it everything about him was what I wanted. There had never been a doubt in my mind, and more often then not I found myself unable to resist letting my focus wander to the possibilities and all the what ifs, all of which I knew were impossible
I'd returned to my lab with the intentions of working, and even though everything I could possibly need, and probably much more, was right in front of me, I stared blankly at the computer screen, my mind wandering to the day my suspicions had been confirmed, without a shadow of a doubt.
"I wouldn't leave, because I'd rather die myself then lose Carter" Jack said slowly
"Why?" Anise asked
"Because I care about her" he said " A lot more then I'm supposed to."
O'NEILL POV
As I left the locker room I heard a throat clear behind me, snapping me out of my thoughts, spinning around I saw Lt. Casey.
"Sir" She said "General Hammond would like to see you"
"Ah for crying out loud" I muttered, more to myself then her "Thank You Lt."
She nodded "Have you seen Major Carter, Sir? I'm supposed to send her up to"
"That's alright Lt." I said "I'll get her"
With a salute she was off and I made my way to Carters lab. The door was open and she sat at her computer, in what appeared to be deep thought. She was certainly a sight, and I could never keep myself from starring for long. I leaned against the doorframe watching her, a faint smile appearing on her lips at whatever she was thinking about. What I would give to be inside her head, to know what she was thinking. She was such a closed book, nothing seemed to phase her and it was almost always impossible to tell what she was really thinking. Even and perhaps most especially when they were together. Ever since the whole "zatark" incident and his confession of how much he cared for her, she seemed all the more closed off. Of course I knew that nothing could ever come of the deep feelings I had…have… rattling around, but I just wish I knew what she was feeling. Then again, in my infinite genius I had agreed that nothing needed to leave that room that day. Although our military positions wouldn't allow for anything to come of it, sometimes I wish we had hashed it out. I would, after all, not oppose retiring, again, if I knew there was something even better waiting.
"Major" I said softly, not wanting to scare her. No answer
"CARTER!" I yelled
"Huh?" she said as she spun quickly toward the door
"Coming up with some earth saving equations?" I asked sarcastically
She blushed slightly, which was definitely not like her "Something like that Sir."
I laughed lightly "Hammond wants to see us Major" I told her
"What for Sir?" she asked
"What do I look like, the magical Kreskin?" I asked "How should I know?"
She giggled, a sound which should be made illegal and said "I dunno Sir. You sure seem to keep people under spell"
And with that she left the room. If it wasn't my imagination, which it very well could have been, I'd say that comment was laced with double meaning.
CARTER POV
We reached General Hammonds office quickly and Jack knocked.
"Come in" called the General
Taking a deep breath I followed Colonel O'Neill into the office. I always hated being called up here unexpectedly, and for good reason. As far as I can remember every time I'd been "requested" here, I'd received some form of bad news. The fact that as we entered he was seated behind that big wooden desk with an expression of mild annoyance on his face did not help to ease my nerves.
A moment or so passed before he spoke "Colonel. Major. We have a situation" he said
The Colonel and I looked at each other, mentally preparing for the worst.
"I'm afraid we have some…" he paused "Well, for lack of a better term, some ass kissing to do"
"Sir?" I asked, not sure whether or not to laugh. He seemed incredibly agitated for something as simple as public appeasement.
"It makes me incredibly uncomfortable when people start poking their noses into our business. It seems that some highly respected members of Congress have gathered together and invited some special members of the Air Force together, as an acknowledgement of all the hard work and dedication that our officers display on a regular basis. Anyone who is anyone will be attending" he said
"Ah hell General. Just say no. Isn't that what they teach kids now a days" Colonel O'Neill suggests sarcastically
"Believe me I tried" he said "It seems that you and Major Carter have been put on the highest priority list and I have been told, not so subtly that they will not take no for an answer."
"Forgive me Sir." I said "But why?"
"If I didn't know better I'd say that someone knows more then they are letting on and is determined to press their nose in." he said "I have my suspicions that they are receiving their information from the NID, but we can't be sure. If they are, we all know the lengths that NID are willing to go in order to get some thing."
" 'Classified' always brings out the best in people" Jack says sarcastically
"What kind of event is this" I asked
" Formal" the General states simply " Dinner Ball type"
"Ah General" Jack whined, clearly this is not his type of thing
"Colonel I don't want to go either, but we have no choice" he said, effectively ending all protest "And I would greatly appreciate it if the two of you could maintain a united front, don't let anyone through and keep an eye out for each other"
"Is this dinner or deployment into enemy territory" I asked, jokingly
"Unfortunately, a little bit of both Major" Jack said with a wink
"I'm assuming dress uniform sir?" I asked
"For the men, yes" he said, confusion evident on my face I'm sure
"Dinner BALL, Carter" Colonel says, emphasizing the last bit
"Ah, right" I said. Well I guess it's as good an excuse as any for going shopping "When is it?"
"Tomorrow night"
"Nothing like short notice General" Jack said
"I only found out yesterday Jack" he says "You're both dismissed until tomorrow night. I personally suggest going home and getting some rest, you're going to need it tomorrow. Staff cars will pick you up tomorrow night and the hotel has graciously provided rooms for all attending."
Leaving the room I made my way directly to the locker rooms to change. After all, the army jumpsuits and a motorcycle don't really work well together. As I changed into my leathers I wondered who would be present at tomorrow's event. It seems likely to assume whoever was holding it was looking for something specific, and that something was me and Colonel O'Neill, all the other guests were probably just to cover it. Not that I planned on letting that ruin the fun. After all, I don't often get the chance to get out and this seems like a great excuse, so long as we avoid the right people, or the wrong people, depending on how you look at it really.
Just as I got my tank over my head I heard the door open. I was sure that I was the only female leaving the mountain, at least as far as I knew, in which case the person walking in so nonchalantly was probably some male officer or scientist. I whipped around, fully prepared to let whoever it was have it.
"Ever heard of knocking first!?!" I demanded