Revalations
Natalie looked around numbly. So this was the wondrous place where, nearly every day, men and women traveled to other worlds. She sighed as she walked, led by Major Davis and his entourage. She suddenly felt very self-conscious as she looked down at her pale yellow formal dress. Out of place. She knew that that would be how she would feel for some time. She still could hardly believe that any of this was real. She touched the delicate fabric of her dress and tried very hard not to think about what they must have told Cliff …. She looked up, startled, when Major Davis instructed her to take a seat, and realized that they were in a long room with a table and several chairs. She sat in the nearest one, not looking up at the imposing man who had just entered the room. He and Major Davis shook hands.
"General Hammond." Major Davis said with a nod. General Hammond nodded back.
"Major, I received your message nearly eighteen hours ago, what was the delay?" he asked. Major Davis glanced over at Natalie and lowered his voice.
"She was at a dance, sir. With her fiancée." he said, rather awkwardly. General Hammond looked up at Natalie.
"I see. Thank you, Major." he said, saluting and turning to walk towards Natalie. "Miss White, I am General Hammond." he announced, holding out his hand. Natalie took it and looked up.
"Thank you, sir, for having me." she said softly, smiling slightly. General Hammond smiled back.
"It's the least we can do." he replied with a reassuring pat on the shoulder. He looked up, hearing approaching footsteps. Three more men entered the room.
"General," came the certain voice of Colonel Jack O'Neill. "You wanted to see us?" General Hammond nodded.
"Have a seat," he instructed, motioning and taking his own seat as he did so. Natalie felt heat rushing to her face as the three passed her, looking strangely at her as they did so.
"Colonel, where is Carter? I specifically requested all of you," General Hammond inquired.
"Should be on her way now, sir," O'Neill replied, taking his seat. General Hammond nodded, then turned to Natalie.
"Miss White, this is Doctor Daniel Jackson, Dr. Jackson, this is miss Natalie White," General Hammond began, indicating Dr. Jackson. He reached across the table to take her hand.
"Miss White, it's a pleasure," he said with a smile. Natalie smiled back.
"Please, Doctor, call me Natalie," she requested. Daniel smiled again.
"If you'll call me Daniel," he said. Natalie smiled again and nodded. General Hammond continued.
"This is Teal'c." he said, gesturing again. Teal'c bowed his head.
"I am pleased to meet you," he said kindly. Natalie nodded. General Hammond motioned to O'Neill, who stood to take her hand.
"Colonel Jack O'Neill," General Hammond narrated.
"Jack," O'Neill put in, "Call me Jack. Or Colonel, whichever you prefer," he added with a shrug. Natalie smiled.
"Thank you, sir," she said gratefully, looking around at the group again..
"Sir, I don't mean to be rude, but ... what's this all about?" O'Neill asked with another look at Natalie. Natalie wished she could just sink into her chair, she hated the curious looks. General Hammond took a deep breath.
"Nearly a week ago, there was an accident at Area 51 involving the new prototype version of the X-302. Several workers were killed," he started, "Natalie's parents were among them," he explained with a compassionate look. Natalie looked at the table. There was a collective inhalation of breath at the table. Dr. Jackson spoke first.
"Oh, God … I'm so sorry," he said, a genuinely sympathetic look on his face. O'Neill grimaced slightly and Teal'c bowed his head.
"You have my genuine condolences, miss White," Teal'c said softly. Natalie could feel tears welling in her eyes as she muttered her thanks. She blinked back the burning sensation as a voice came from the doorway.
"Sorry I'm late, sir," came the voice of Major Samantha Carter. Natalie looked up as she swiped at her moist eyes. Carter's gaze met hers. "Hey, Nat. You still like to be called Nat?" she asked with a small smile. Natalie smiled back.
"Yeah, actually," she replied, feeling suddenly shy. O'Neill blinked and glanced between them.
"Wait ... what just happened?" he asked, confused. Teal'c and Dr. Jackson were also looking at Carter quizzically. O'Neill quirked his head. "Carter?"
"About a week ago, sir, I received a letter telling me that my cousin, Diane White, and her husband, David, had been working out at Area 51 and were in an accident that led to their death," Carter explained with a pointed look that clearly said that O'Neill should understand. He simply looked at her blankly. Dr. Jackson, on the other hand, took in a deep breath of understanding.
"Oh, I see …" he murmured, looking up at General Hammond, who nodded. Major Davis, who had previously been just standing near the doorway, spoke up.
"The Pentagon feels that this is the best decision that could be made under the circumstances," he said. O'Neill threw up his hands, still confused.
"What decision?" he asked. Carter spoke up this time.
"Well, sir, Natalie is going to be living with me," she said, coming up behind Natalie and placing comforting hands on her shoulders. It was O'Neill's turn for a pointed look that said simply 'why?' Natalie sighed.
"She's my aunt, sir."
