Chapter 2
Spoilers: Everything up to the beginning of Season 9 AU from thereon.
Sam has returned to the SGC at Jack's request, however, nothing appears to have changed, or has it?.
Pairings: Sam & Jack
Disclaimer: I don't own anything, I just like interfering with the timeline!!!..
3 Weeks later:
Sam found herself stumbling through the wormhole for the second time in less than six hours, only her second time in months. She had to admit to herself it felt great to be back.
General Landry was there to meet the team as they trudged down the ramp and said as usual "Welcome back SG-1". Then turning to Sam, he asked "Colonel Carter how was your first trip through the Star Gate since your return to the SGC?"
"It's good to be back sir, I hadn't realised how much I missed going through the wormhole until now. Thank you for your persistence in getting me to come back."
"It's my pleasure Colonel, I'm glad you're happy to be back here, but the real thanks go to General O'Neill, after all it was he who finally convinced you to return"
At the mention of Jack's name, Sam felt sick. Nothing had changed since they had had that conversation in Nevada. She hadn't even heard from him. She felt like that he had convinced her to return and left her alone again. She was happy to be back at the mountain, but sad at the same time.
"If you'll excuse me General, I'd like to get to the infirmary for my check up"
"Certainly Colonel, debriefing at 1600"
Once Sam left the infirmary she returned to her lab to complete some research she had brought with her from Area 51. Sitting down in front of her computer, she began typing up some notes. She was happily engrossed in what she was doing until she heard a soft knock at the door
"Um. Sam"
"Daniel, you don't have to knock, come in"
"You seemed busy" he replied.
"No, it's ok, been back a week and already I'm behind on my notes".
"Same old, Same Old, huh Sam"
"More than you know Daniel" She replied dejectedly.
"Sam, you OK?"
"Yeh"
"Sam?"
"Daniel, it's just, god, I don't know. Did you know that General O'Neill came to Area 51 to ask me to return to the SGC?"
"Sam, from my understanding, he didn't just go to Nevada for that"
"What?" she exclaimed
"Sam, Teal'c and I had a very serious conversation with Jack before he went to Nevada, we told him that he had to come clean with you before either of us would consider returning to the SGC permanently, because we knew how hard it would be for you to come back here without him."
"Oh Daniel, but nothing's changed. It's been 3 weeks since he left me in Nevada and I haven't seen or heard from him since. Not even an email. It's just not fair, I'm as miserable here without him as I was in Nevada. I should have just stayed there!"
"No Sam, coming back here was good for you, things will change"
"Daniel how can you say that, have you heard from him?" she snapped
"No, but.."
"Then how can you say things have changed? Did you know he told him he loved me? That he had for a long time. When I was with Pete, something like that was usually accompanied by a kiss or flowers or something like that. But I haven't even heard from him Daniel and that really pisses me off. NOTHING HAS CHANGED!." She sobbed as she added "and I can't do this without him. I love him Daniel and I told him so and it's still the same. I'm still alone and he's still in Washington."
"Sam, I'm sorry, I didn't know you were so miserable, you should have said something. Give him a chance, he has a lot to do in DC."
"I can't Daniel, I just can't do it without him anymore"
Noticing the clock on the wall Daniel said "Listen Sam, we'll have to continue this conversation later, it's almost 1600 and we've got our debriefing"
"Great – Ok, let me fix myself up and I'll meet you there"
"OK, don't take too long"
"I won't"
When she arrived in the conference room a few minutes later, she was flabbergasted to see Jack sitting at the table with General Landry.
"Jac… General O'Neill. It's good to see you again Sir"
"Same to you Carter, settling back in Ok?"
"Oh you know Sir, the more things change the more they stay the same."
"Carter?" he queried,
"Sorry Sir, no nothing has changed, everything is still the same as it was when I left" she replied sarcastically.
Although Jack caught her sarcasm, he chose to ignore it. Turning to General Landry Jack said "shall we begin Hank?"
"Ok people, lets get to the briefing and then we'll explain General O'Neill's presence here.
As usual, Daniel began the debriefing, there was nothing particularly interesting about the planet they had just returned from. It appeared uninhabited, no evidence of Goa'uld activity at anytime, breathable atmosphere, etc etc and he suggested that they put it on their list of planets suitable to for habitation if the need ever arose.
Once finished General Landry spoke up again. "General O'Neill is here for to oversee the implementation of new operating procedures at the SGC – Jack, would you care to elaborate?"
"Ok, I know we like to run the SGC by ourselves, but as you know we have to keep the oversight committee happy these days and part of the process now involves the head of Home World Security spending a two week period at the SGC each six months with subsequent visits for 1 day every other week.
"What are the new operating procedures Sir?" Sam asked
"Nothing much more than you already do Carter, it basically just covers how I report to the Pentagon and The President whilst I'm here. Also, during my two-week visit, I get to accompany SG-1 to observe, although, don't know why, you're all good at what you do, you don't need me to tag along. Anyway, at any other time during the year, I have to be included in any diplomatic missions that may arise. Although, we all know that I'm the least diplomatic person in the Air Force, but they want it that way"
"So Jack, you're back at the SGC every second week, plus diplomatic missions, plus 2 weeks"
"That's what I said Danny"
"It will be an honour to work with you again O'Neill, even if only occasionally" Teal'c said
"Thanks Teal'c you too"
"So Jack, is this a 1 day visit or the first day of your two week visit?"
As Jack replied to Daniel's question, he wasn't looking at him, he was staring straight at Sam "I'm here for two weeks Danny".
TBC…
