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SPOILER WARNING: SEASON EIGHT: AFFINITY, Also, any episode involving Pete Shanahan
Author's notes: I knew this scene was coming, maybe I'm somehow kinetically linked to Peter DeLuise, I don't know, but since it was Sam and Jack who had the talk, ideas were immediately transmitted to my brain. I'm assuming that post-episode, everyone was told of the engagement, since I don't know what's in the next ep.
Timeframe: Right after Affinity
Title: Responsibilities
Author: Lynda
I told my best female friend on Earth to get married. More or less. She told me she said yes, shortly after Daniel was reunited with Teal'c and me at the base. Of course, we three men congratulated her. I don't know if I'm all that happy about it.
I'm the base commander, now. It was hard to get used to, but I'm doing okay. When Sam practically glued herself to her office chair, it was my obligation to check on her, make sure everything was all right. It shouldn't have taken me two weeks, but I'd had other distractions.
When she held out that ring to me, I had to take it . . . the look on her face was pained, like the box was a hot potato and it was burning her. The last time I saw her look so helpless, Sam had just survived being chased by an Anubis drone.
Why did I have to tell her that I thought Pete could handle her being away on missions? Well, because he had so far, and seemed to be sticking it out. It will be good for Sam to have him to lean on.
God knows, I can't be what she needs. We're all wrong for that. A lot of the time, I wish things were set up differently, but on the other hand, they can't be. Now she'll have emotional support. Yeah, she needs that.
She wasn't even engaged when she asked me about having a family. Asked about maternity leave, too. No one on base has come to me about that, yet. What was I supposed to say? Gee, Sam, bet you'll look great, even out to here with a baby. My actual answer was better.
If Charlie hadn't died, where would I be? That was a good question. I don't sit around considering what might have been, if my son had lived. The answer was something that she needed, because, truthfully, Charlie would have graduated this summer. He'd be thinking about college, and I would be retired. I told her I wouldn't be at the SGC.
She doesn't have to be here, either. If . . . if she goes . . . she can come back any time. I have to let her have a life. Hell, I've ordered her to, before. And, it's my responsibility to make sure she's content. Being base commander at all. We'll see what comes up next.
The End
