A/N
OK, so there is going to be one more chapter after this which I hope to have up very soon. Thank you all so much for the reviews, they have been so encouraging! Also, again, apologies for any errors, I know they can disrupt the flow but one's eyes tend to not see them after the 5th time reading your own story. Enjoy
/
As Sam walked towards the bar she noticed that the rest of the Panthers had remained on the fringes of the SGC group. They were too intimidated by the large group she reckoned. They may have been on the outskirts but they were all looking at her, mentally crucifying her no doubt. While everyone was friendly enough, they wanted to spend time with each other. This was not the night for strangers…especially bitchy, overdressed, unnecessarily confident strangers who had set their sights on unattainable people, ugh!
One thing was certain though, she knew that at least 90% of the base 'if not all, but she was a scientist so she couldn't say all with absolute certainty unless she conducted a survey - and then it would have to be controlled, there would definitely be coercion that would have to be factored in, especially from the team leaders - oh, most, lets just say most and leave it at that!' Most of the base wanted her to be with Jack, not Queen trollop over here. That thought gave Sam all the confidence she needed. This woman wasn't a threat, just an irritant than needed to be removed. She strode over with her blood flowing just a little bit faster than normal. As she got closer, the Queen noticed her and placed her hand back on Jack's upper arm as she laughed unnecessarily loudly. Sam saw Jack look at the arm with a slight frown on his face. This was priceless. The Queen thought she had him and Jack was utterly confused as to why she kept touching him.
A collective inhalation of breath took place as Sam reached the bar. The noise level reduced significantly throughout the bar but much to their annoyance, the lack of talking from the SGC crew was not enough to ensure that they could hear what was being said. A few of the younger officers even looked towards the external sources of noise to try to get them to be quiet. Everyone was desperate to hear what was about to go down.
"Oh, is that mine? Thanks, Jack" Sam finished with a wink as she reached past him to pick up her drink. His initial shock at her appearing beside him was replaced by relief only to be almost instantly substituted by confusion.
'What is going on in this place tonight, is everyone on something that I don't know about? Why is Carter being so much more friendly than she used to be? And why is she calling me Jack? Not that I mind but it is a bit out of the blue. Aw hell, get a grip, O'Neill! You would let her call you anything she wanted just so you could hear her speak. But still, something has changed. Maybe she's decided to give us a shot? Nah, it's been years, what would have changed her mind after all this time? But then, ya never know. Hmm, I need to try figure her out without making it obvious. Man oh man, why does she smell so unbelievable? I'll have to ask her about that scent later.'
Sam looked at the woman standing next to her with the most insincere smile she had ever mustered "I don't believe we have met, I'm Sam." She extended her hand and almost snorted at the look the woman gave her.
Looking at Sam's extended hand, she very obviously and slowly moved her hands tighter to her sides, refusing to accept the gesture. "I'm Meredith. Jack and I were just discussing his work"
This time Sam did snort, while taking a swig of beer, in an extremely un-ladylike manner. The Queen looked incensed while Jack smacked Sam's back as she tried to breathe normally again.
"Sorry, went down the wrong way." she spluttered with watery eyes. Jack looked amused.
"Do you mind me asking what was so funny about us discussing his work. He happens to have quite an important job with the Air Force in Washington."
She proceeded to look Sam up and down quite obviously, "If you're not interested in having intelligent conversations I suggest you find someone else to annoy, Jack and I were enjoying each others' company without getting interrupted by someone who can't even swallow." At that, she gave Jack a rather suggestive look.
'Are you kidding me? Oh hell no, she did not just say that out loud, to my face, in front of him!'
Sam squared up to the woman and in a measured voice retaliated, "Intelligent conversation? Discussing a classified position with a two star General in a bar on a Friday night is not only socially bizarre, it's not exactly riveting when you have absolutely no idea what he's talking about. Oh and trust me, swallowing is not a problem." With that, she took another swig of beer to settle herself.
Jack's eyebrows had almost hit his hairline. His eyes darted between the two women as they went back and forth, focusing on Carter more often. He wasn't really sure what to do.
"Oh really, and what would you suggest discussing then if your so clever?"
Sam looked at Jack and smiled before turning back to the woman in front of her. 'Oh I don't know, The Simpsons, fishing, hockey…Mary Steenburgen if I was really stuck!"
Jack rolled his eyes and genuinely grinned at the same time, looking at Sam with admiration.
Now it was the Queen's turn to snort, "The Simpsons? You have got to be kidding. You want to discuss a children's cartoon with an Air Force General? Go play in the corner," she said condescendingly as she nodded her head over towards a group of younger airmen, "the pups are over there!"
'Oh for crying out loud, who is this one beside me? I'd forgotten her name before she had finished saying it. She's annoying and she's interrupting Carter time. She needs to leave now before the Gods decide to interrupt…'
Right at that moment, Jack's phone starting ringing. He groaned, "Can't these people ever give me a night off?"
He looked down at his phone. 'The president, fantastic'
"Duty calls, excuse me ladies." He looked apologetically at Sam as he walked past them towards the front door.
Unbeknownst to the Queen, he let his hand run along the small of Sam's back as he made his way past her to indicate his support. She relished the feeling both physically and emotionally. He always seemed to know when she wanted or needed some sort of encouragement. With that in her head she looked back towards the woman she was coming to loathe.
"Look," Sam started, determined to set the woman straight.
"No, you look, I don't know who you think you are but he is mine. You don't stand a chance. If I was you, I would walk away while you can but if you really want to see a master at work then by all means, stay and take notes." With that she took a mirror out of her bag and started to reapply her lipstick.
Sam stood in shock. 'My God, this woman has some nerve. Alright honey, lets see if you can't totally humiliate yourself. No more playing nice.'
"I think I'd like to see that, to be honest," Sam almost spat. "Good luck, you'll need it."
The queen stopped her hand a fraction away from her lips and gave Sam a glare that would put an incensed, insulted and provoked Goa'uld to shame.
"Suit yourself. Little girls do need to learn from somewhere I suppose."
Though they couldn't hear, everyone could tell that something had been said which had intensified the word-war between the two women. You could practically hear the prayers for Sam to knock her out.
'There was something oddly annoying about the woman, her whole demeanour was arrogant' thought Daniel. He was going to go up and rescue Sam from the clutches of this woman until Teal'c put his arm on his shoulder.
"Major Carter will win this battle on her own merit, of this I am sure."
"They're not actually going to fight, Teal'c."
"It is a battle none the less."
