Title: Happenstance
Rating: PG 13
Summary: Sam runs into a very familiar woman shortly after returning from Atlantis.
Author: Y3lhsa
Disclaimer: All television shows, movies, books, and other copyrighted material referred to in this work, and the characters, settings, and events thereof, are the properties of their respective owners. As this work is an interpretation of the original material and not for-profit, it constitutes fair use. Reference to real persons, places, or events are made in a fictional context, and are not intended to be libelous, defamatory, or in any way factual.
Chapter 1
"The Simpson's are not the greatest thing created, sir." The woman walking in front of her with long blonde hair scoffed at the person on the other end. "And no, I'm not getting more steaks; there are some in the freezer you can char by the time I get home. I would have waited for you to come with me if you hadn't tried to surprise me Jack." She paused if front of the frozen entrees debating where or not to get a few Chinese meals.
/
Sara O'Neill was shopping at her regular grocery store four blocks from where she lived with her father. It had been a good year. Her father was feeling a lot better and she had been dating a nice man she had met during one of her daily walks in the park. He had just moved into the area after a job transfer and she found herself talking with him. Flirting and carrying an actual conversation with someone other than her friends or her father. She had dated on and off the last few years but hadn't really tried to get beyond casual dating. With Andrew it was different. Maybe it was because she was finally willing to open up or maybe it was Andrew himself. He wasn't false. He was openly friendly. He had a wonderful sense of humor and could make her laugh. She didn't know if it was going to get any more serious but she was ok with that. So, yes, she was having a very good year.
/
She had seen Jack several times over the past eleven years and heard his name dozens more but every time it shocked her. It never failed to take her back to a time when she was happily married and the mother of a beautiful boy. This time she recognized the woman who spoke his name. It was the same woman who was in the hospital when Jack wasn't Jack and Charlie wasn't real. She never forgot about the men and woman who had been with Jack that day. So to hear the woman speak his name so comfortably into her Bluetooth right in front of her was enough to stop her right in the middle of the aisle.
/
She opened the freezer door and grabbed a few meals and continuing her conversation kept walking. "I was just in Washington yesterday and I thought your leave didn't start for another two days? Of course I miss you. I just spent the better part of the year in a different... country. This is why I just grabbed some ready to eat meals and am skipping the rest of the list! These days I sometimes wish we could work together again just so I'll see you everyday. I miss seeing you every day Jack." She laughed as she opened another door. "Yes I must say that is a bonus, but sometimes I miss you so much it hurts. I got used to you being everywhere I turned."
Somehow Sara couldn't stop herself from following the woman out of the aisle and toward the cash registers. It wasn't a conscious decision but a need to discover whether it really was her ex-husband on the other side of that line.
"No I'm not getting maudlin; I'm not because when I get home we'll have the rest of the week and next as well together. I don't want to waste any of it. Daniel and T are already demanding some time with you and it'll be great having the team back together for a few days. But for now I'm going to hang up on you so I can pay for this and I'll see you very soon. And I love you." The woman took her Bluetooth out of her ear as she found the shortest line. When she turned around Sara was surprised when she looked right at her. However, the woman looked just as shocked if not more so.
"Sara. I didn't realize." She looked very uncomfortable and I suddenly realize that it really was Jack on the other line. "I don't know if you remember me? Samantha Carter. I worked with Jack."
"Yes I remember. I wasn't aware that you still worked here. I heard Jack got promoted to Washington. Was that him just now?" Sara doesn't ask to make her uneasy but uneasy she seemed anyway. She knew there was a possibility that he would move on. Sara never expected to come face to face with that reality however.
Clearing her throat, Sam looked her straight in the eye when she answered. Being military Sara shouldn't have expected any less. "Yes it was. I just got back from an overseas tour and he took some vacation. I'm sorry you overheard that, it must be awkward. I feel awkward."
"No, don't be. It is a shock but only because I didn't know he was seeing someone." She only caught the flicker because she was so focused on her. "Oh. It's more than that."
"We, um, we've been married almost three years."
"Wow, I guess… congratulations. I'm glad for you and him. He deserves to be happy."
Samantha was unloading her groceries onto the conveyor belt and it gave Sara time to process everything. She never really expected him to be involved with someone much less to have married again. She is happy for him though. He really does deserve to be happy. God knows she's been working on it.
When Samantha had loaded her things and paid she turned back to Sara. "Look if you want to talk to Jack or… see him. He's going to be here until the 19th. Here's our number and don't worry if you want to see him there's always a project I can occupy myself with." She hands Sara her receipt with a number written on the back.
Accepting it Sara watches Sam gather her bags. "Thank you Samantha."
"It's Sam. Your welcome, any time." Nodding she walks out the store and Sara stares for a few seconds still somewhat shocked. Paying for her stuff she thinks about whether or not she wants to see Jack. It had been so long since they had any kind of real conversation she's not sure they would be able to. Well, she does have two and a half weeks to consider it.