Chapter one: A Tribute


A/N: I watched Heroes part I and II and somewhere in the middle of crying (as always when I watch these two very evil episodes) I had a sudden inspiration for a series of short one-shots. Each one will be Samantha Carter's reflection on a member of her team/ friends. The first is for Janet, because I will never understand why they killed of such a wonderful character.

Disclaimer: I do not own Stargate or any of its characters because if I did I wouldn't cry every time I watched the two Heroes episodes.


A list of names, names of the people she had saved and the ones that would never forget her.

It was the best tribute I could give, and I knew Janet would approve. She would have tried not to cry, but her eyes would have brimmed over even as she blushed, listening to how much we all loved her.

Janet.

She was my best friend. To stubborn, to strong, infinitely loving and compassionate, Janet. She wasn't supposed to be the one who died.

A list of names, not my idea, but Teal'cs. He knew the words I needed even though I didn't know how to say how exactly wonderful she was, and how much it would hurt later knowing she was gone.

Standing on the podium reciting each name slowly, I know somehow she can hear it. If she were here she would smile, and say it was her job, and would never have accepted that it meant much more to all of us.

Unless I was off world Janet always made me go out with her on Saturday nights.

"Just one night a week Sam," she would say laughing. "Just one night that we don't have to be one of the boys."

She would wink and I would get a flash of memory of Hathor very underdressed at parading around the base with all the men chasing after her. Of over powering our own people, and trying not to laugh at myself for some how ending up in a women behind bars movie.

I would argue and insist I had work to do, but she would insist and eventually I'd give in.

It never seemed to matter what we did. A movie, dinner, or even just coffee at the local café, it was always something. Sometimes it amazed me that she could enjoy something so simple as if it were an amazing feat.

"It is amazing," she told me. "We get the chance to be normal. Even if it's just for an hour."

I never realized she was right until there were no more late Saturday nights. No more movies, no dinner, no sipping coffee and joking about every little thing or nothing at all.

I didn't realize she was my best friend until I stood alone on the podium reading a list of names. It was the best tribute I could give and I know she would have loved it.