Harbinger of Sorrow...Herald of Joy.
By Lingren.
Category: Angst, Drama, Hurt/Comfort, Romance.
Pairings: Sam/Jack.
Season: 6. About two months after Metamorphosis.
Spoilers: There But For the Grace of God, Metamorphosis.
Summary: A strange messenger visits the SGC, needing to talk to Jack.
Chapter 1
Colonel Jack O'Neill woke from refreshingly pleasant dreams, and stretched contentedly, then spooned up against the woman he was sharing the king sized bed with. He curled his arm around her and nuzzled his face into the short blonde hair of Samantha Carter, kissing the warm expanse of neck he found there. She responded immediately by sighing and settling herself back against his strong body, resting her head into the hollow of his shoulder. He blew the strands of her hair away from his mouth, and glanced up at the digital clock on the bedside table. The over large illuminated red numbers standing out brightly in the darkness, were telling the lovers it was time for her to leave the warmth of his bed and return home. He groaned, reluctant to let her go, holding onto her more tightly, making her giggle in response.
"No giggling Major," he whispered in her ear.
"C'mon Jack...I have to go. You know I do." She pulled his arm away slightly and wriggled round with difficulty to face him, only to have his arm tighten behind her again, effectively trapping her against him. Planting delicate kisses on his nose and mouth, and trailing her fingers lightly down his bare arm, she broke into his barely concealed thoughts. "You know it wouldn't look good if I were to leave here too late. We can't risk it."
Jack sighed deeply again, growling in frustration. He lightly kissed her lips before reluctantly releasing her from the prison of his arms.
"Yeah I know. It's just that...I don't ever wanna let you go. I wish..."
"Shhhh." She placed a finger against his lips, effectively stopping him from voicing his feelings on the subject of regulations. "You don't have to say it. We have to be content with this for a while. You know that I love you," she smiled, and his brown hooded eyes smouldered and reflected the deep emotions running though him.
"I love you too Sam," He answered softly, placing another quick kiss on her nose and allowing her to wash up.
Moments later she emerged refreshed, from the bathroom, while he now lay on his back, locking his hands behind his head and watching her every move as she dressed. Sam studied her reflection in the long mirror, straightening the T-shirt and skirt into place before turning to face him once more.
"Presentable Colonel?"
He sighed deeply, his eyes roaming her hungrily.
"As always Major," he grinned.
He forced himself upright swinging his feet to the floor to sit on the edge of the bed, pulling on some sweat pants over his shorts, and dragging a T-shirt over his muscular torso. Shoving his feet into some sneakers, they then walked together down the stairs and towards the front door.
They hugged each other goodbye for long moments before parting with a passionate kiss, which left them both yearning for more, yet satisfied that they had decided to test their relationship to it's limits, despite the regulations, and in secrecy from their SGC colleagues; but more particularly from their CO, General Hammond. Only their nearest friends were party to their true relationship. Janet knew of course; as Sam's closest friend and Doctor of the SGC she was well aware of the chemistry between them. After all those years of sexual tension, Janet believed it was about time they worked to resolve the situation.
As much as the two participants wanted to keep it a secret, it was only fair as members of the same working team that the two aliens should know about it, just in case it interfered with their working relationship. The understanding being, that if they found that the Air Force half of the team were not performing their duties properly, then they would point it out, and they would all discuss it. Teal'c was genuinely pleased for his friends. He had seen them grow closer over the years and had watched their frustrations build up to bursting point. As the new boy to their ranks, Jonas was just happy to let it happen, promising faithfully to keep it to himself.
Jack reluctantly opened the door and Sam picked up the pile of work, tucking it under her arm, and stepped out into the cold night air. The formality of Regulations and rules once more in place for the benefit of the neighbours or anyone else who might be watching.
"Goodnight Sir. See you tomorrow," she called back without turning.
"Goodnight Carter."
Dumping the pile of folders onto the hood of her car, she unlocked the door then placed them on the seat beside her, starting the cold engine without looking back at him standing in the doorway, illuminated by the hall light. Shutting the door against the chill breeze, he retreated to the living room before she had pulled off his driveway.
OoOoOoOoOoO
The sun poked it's early morning rays into every crevice along the tops of the mountains, leaving the shadows fleeing in it's wake as it rose ever higher. Jack hummed a tuneless ditty as he drove along the road, happy in the knowledge that he would soon be seeing Sam again. Although this time it would mean keeping a tight rein on his thoughts and emotions. It was difficult, but he knew he had no choice.
Taking the plunge had been a huge step forwards in their relationship, but one they had both been willing to take, despite it's risks. That was all part of his job...wasn't it? Taking risks. Working undercover was second nature to him. Hadn't he spent years doing things just like this during his time with Black Ops? Their status as CO and 2IC allowed them to have meetings to discuss tactics, strategy and missions, and the so called informal gatherings of his team under his roof. No-one was any the wiser. It all appeared innocent enough to the outsider.
Parking his car in the lot, he sauntered brightly over to the check-in desk and signed his name with a flourish, greeting the familiar guards with the ease for which he was well known. He had a reputation that nobody stood on ceremony where he was concerned. Taking the elevator down into the depths of the mountain, he had no idea what this new day would hold in store for him, but the repercussions it held would live with him for ever.
Jack's early morning meeting with General Hammond was going well. SG-1 were due for a team briefing before they left very early the next day on a retrieval mission. He and Hammond were now discussing mundane issues, several requisitions for various items, and new staff. Suddenly the Klaxons burst forth into their loud wailing and both men leapt from their seats, wondering who would be contacting them this early. None of the teams currently off world, were due to return just yet, or perhaps one of them was in trouble. Jack took the steps two at a time, skidding to a halt behind Sam's chair. Her fingers were rattling over the keyboard to discover who their visitor might be.
"Who's calling on us Carter?" he asked her, watching through the window as the chevrons slid into place, culminating into the kawooosh as it settled into an established wormhole, glowing brightly in the drab grey room.
"I don't know Sir. This doesn't make any sense. It says that the point of origin is Earth."
"Do we have a code?" he asked sceptically.
"No Sir. Nothing."
"Close the Iris," he snapped, using his authority as 2IC of the base, to issue the order.
"Closing the Iris." The sergeant stated in the background, reaffirming his orders, and they all watched it slide shut, effectively cutting off the glow from their sight. General Hammond by now had joined them, demanding to know what Sam had meant.
"Major? I though that was impossible. How can anyone on Earth, dial home to or from here?"
"I'm not sure Sir. Theoretically it's just..." her words cut off in mid sentence as the Iris slid back, once more revealing the shimmering event horizon.
"Who gave the order to open the Iris? Close it, damn it," Hammond demanded, and the Sergeant once again placed his hand over the scanner, but the Iris remained fully open.
"It's not working Sir. It won't close."
Sam's fingers flew over her keyboard once more.
"It's not responding Sir," she confirmed.
"Stand by in the gate-room," Barked the General into the mike, alerting the SF teams below. "Unauthorised traveller in transit. Take up defensive positions."
The guards hurried to their stations and pointed their assorted arsenal towards the gate. The huge metal doors of the gate-room closed, effectively sealing them in a potential tomb. Jack stood silently, still hovering behind Sam's chair, one hand resting tensely on the back of it, wanting desperately to rest it reassuringly on her shoulder just a few inches away. They waited anxiously with bated breath to see who would step from the shimmering flux.
The tension in the control room rose another notch or two, as the minutes dragged past. Would their unscheduled visitor be friend or foe? How...they all wondered had - whoever was coming - managed to disable the Iris, their only means of defence? Was it the start of the battle for their very existence? Jack didn't know what to expect, and he geared his mind into drawing a battle plan just in case. His body tense, ready to spring into action the minute a shot was fired. He certainly didn't expect the scenario now in front of him as a lone young woman, dressed similarly to their off-world fatigues, stepped easily from the wormhole, her hands held high in a gesture of submission.
"Please...don't shoot. I'm unarmed."
Hammond leant forward grabbing the thin mike, and barked into it.
"Who are you and why are you here?"
"General Hammond?" she asked, half smiling, looking up at him behind the glass.
When no answer came forth, she hesitated, unsure of herself. Everyone looked to the General in surprise that she knew his name. He shrugged at Jack's unasked question. The woman then continued.
"My name is Captain Jacqueline Miller. I've come to see Colonel Jack O'Neill. I need to talk with him...in private."
All eyes now turned towards Jack and he now raised his eyebrows in surprise, surpassing even Teal'c. He looked back at the General, and shrugged. He didn't have a clue who it was.
TBC
