Author's Note: Although my original intention was to write Backstory as stand alone chapters, I've gotten caught up in telling the story of the relationship. I think the story will become more discrete chapters as it continues so please bear with me.
Friends and Family
September, October, and early November brought busy days for Samantha Carter and Jack O'Neill. In addition to wedding preparations, they were up to their necks in moving arrangements. Sam was selling her house and moving to Washington, attempting to settle into a new job, and along with her fiancé, wading through the paperwork and frustrations of buying a new home.
As harried as she sometimes felt, Sam had never felt as excited and joyful. After everything she had experienced, these days were truly the high points, the moments she'd been waiting for, all her life. She was getting a life -- a life outside of work, outside of saving the world, outside of being the one always in control, with all the answers. The only cloud on the horizon was the concern around her peculiar symptoms, something that no one had really been able to clear up to her satisfaction
After the incident at Jack's apartment, where Sam had been shocked to see a mirror, vase and bedroom window shatter for no apparent reason, both Jack and Sam had contacted Dr. Frasier and returned to the Cheyenne Mountain Complex. Sam was subjected to a variety of the usual tests, including PET scans and MRIs, but no specific source of concern was found. She had the joy of having her head shrunk yet again by Dr. McKenzie, to no avail. In fact no one was really sure there was a connection between Sam's internal symptoms and the broken glass, but it was too odd to ignore the coincidence.
Sam herself theorized that she might be putting out an energy field of some sort. Beyond that she had little idea what was happening. Jack made a royal pain of himself, regularly badgering the other researchers at the mountain to come up with an answer. Sam made every effort to reassure Jack, but she was becoming worried herself as stranger and stranger things began to happen.
Finally, by the end of October, just weeks before the wedding, Sam decided to look for help in a different arena. She joined Jack, Janet, Daniel and Gen. Landry for an impromptu meeting in her lab.
"Sir, I'm thinking that my symptoms could be related to the time I spent on the Ori ship."
"How so, Colonel?"
"Well, you remember Heimdahl's belief that the Ori had attempted to convert me? Maybe it worked …at least a little."
"Meaning…?" Jack asked with more than a little trepidation.
"Meaning, maybe there were some changes we weren't able to detect immediately --changes that are still… developing."
"You haven't told us everything, have you, Sam?"
"Not exactly. I've had some pretty unusual things happen lately. I'm seeing objects move, just a little, for no apparent reason. And yesterday, I thought about getting up to get the packaging tape… before I knew it, it was in my hand."
"So you're becoming what… telekinetic?"
"I don't know Daniel, but it's really starting to scare me."
"I know that you and your team have been working on this, Colonel. What do you have so far?" Landry asked, demonstrating again his confidence in the Lt. Colonel's ability to solve most any scientific problem.
"Actually, nothing, sir. My tests are negative. This isn't something we're used to dealing with. Even if there was an abnormality on the PET scan, I don't know what we would do with it. It reminds me of the work the Goa'uld, Nirti, was doing in her attempt to create an advanced human."
"She's right, sir. I'm afraid this is really beyond us. If we're going to find an answer to what's going on, we're going to need our off world allies." Janet added.
"The Asgard haven't been around much lately."
"Do your best to contact them, people. Any other ideas?"
"General, if you think about it, whatever changes were made to me were most likely made using Ancient technology. The Ancients would be the ones best able to help."
"I don't see one here, Carter, do you?" Jack supplied.
"Not here, sir. But a few miles down the road…"
"Orlin … the hospital. But Carter, Orlin, he's not right."
"Jack, Orlin might be our only chance of figuring out what's going on with Sam." Daniel countered, mildly annoyed with Jack's tone of voice.
"Then it doesn't sound very hopeful to me, Danny boy. I'd like to find a better bet".
"Given what we've got right now, Jack, sounds like Orlin is our best bet."
"I'm inclined to agree with Dr. Jackson. Okay, people, see what the boy can do for us."
OoOoOo
Sam and Jack, along with Daniel and Janet paid a visit to the boy named Orlin, now living at Rockwood Psychiatric Facility. A private sanatorium where Orlin resided courtesy of the US government, it was nestled in a restful, lightly forested area 10 miles south of Cheyenne mountain. Though not exactly a military installation, Rockwood was well known among the military community for the discretion of its staff and the fact that most of the senior medical staff had high level government clearance, allowing for treatment of highly sensitive patients – in this case, an alien teenager.
"General O'Neill, Colonel Carter, it's a pleasure," enthused a young nurse, barely in her thirties and clearly in charge of the facility this particular afternoon. "I haven't met your friends."
Jack proceeded to introduce and vouch for Daniel and Dr. Frasier.
"We'd like to see Orlin Carter. Is he able to have visitors?" Sam asked, hoping that somehow there had been an improvement, any improvement. Sam had visited on several occasions over the past few months, but Orlin continued to have no memory whatsoever of their special relationship. In fact, he had difficulty remembering Sam or anyone else between visits.
"Orlin's doing fairly well today, Colonel. You're his aunt, isn't that right?"
"Yes, yes I am". The cover story given for Orlin's background to the junior staff (those without sufficient clearance) made the erstwhile Ancient a distant relative of Sam's. She had been more than willing to feign the family relationship. After all, Orlin had saved the planet from the Prior Plague and proven himself a selfless friend.
"Orlin has begun to have night terrors. The past few weeks he's awoken screaming nearly every night. Your may notice he's a bit groggier than usual today; we've needed to start a new anti-psychotic medication. He's developed delusions where he believes he has unusual abilities and powerful friends no one else can see"
The team from the SGC just looked at each other, for a moment, a wave of hope passing over them. Maybe… just maybe, he could help.
OoOoOo
For a psychiatric institution, Rockwood was pleasantly furnished and sported the latest in entertainment technology for its residents, including high speed internet access and digital cable. Orlin was provided with the best of everything, at least as far as an institutional setting could provide. He seldom had visitors besides Sam, however, and as today's visitors entered the lounge area, a wide eyed 13 year old boy with the innocence of youth greeted them. Initially, he showed no recognition, but immediately went over to stand by Sam's side as if drawn by a magnetism he didn't understand.
"Orlin, Sam began, it's good to see you again. She'd brought a new set of computer games for the young boy.
"You're Sam, right? I remember you."
"Yes Orlin, I'm so glad you remember." Sam turned almost immediately to introduce her companions.
"We need your help," Daniel began. "Sam is starting to show some unusual symptoms and we think they might be related to the Ori."
"The Ori? What is that? Is it one of the new games, Sam?"
Sam took a deep breath, and looked at Jack who grimaced and hung his head. "Hey, I don't want to sound insensitive here, but Orlin, don't you remember anything about some glowy light beings, Oma, people like that, ascension, you know… we need your help here."
"Jack, please, don't. He'd help if he could."
As the group tried in vain to help Orlin recall information that would be valuable to them they were unaware that they were being watched by the very beings that could be helpful. These beings were biding their time, deciding on the best course of action.
OoOoOo
After the disappointing visit to Orlin, I seemed to get back to normal. The incidents had decreased and since there was nothing to be done about them we tried to go back to the wedding planning as if nothing was wrong.
Jack and I had put a down payment on a house in Alexandria, Virginia. It was a lovely sprawling, colonial style home in a gracious suburban location. The trees lining the street were tall and stately, and the home itself was quite a distance from the main road. What finally sold it, especially for Jack I think, was the oversized, and stocked, pond in the back yard. He told me that on a clear day he could make himself pretend he was at his cabin in Minnesota. The only problem was there were actually fish in this pond.
It had taken us only a week to move everything from Jack's apartment to the new house. Once it was there, the place still looked empty.
"I think that's your cue Sam; it's time for you to move in. We all know how domestic you are …you'll have this place whipped into shape in no time."
"Cute Jack, not that I don't appreciate the vote of confidence, but I'm not sure that'll be much help. It looks like some serious furniture shopping is in order."
We both knew that would have to wait for awhile, even if it did mean the house looked fairly ignored at least until after the wedding.
By early November, I was totally moved from the Springs to our Alexandria home. What's more, with lots of help, I'd cleaned out my lab at the SGC and transferred all of my personal projects to the new NID sponsored lab just outside Washington. Everyone had been helpful, although Daniel looked like he was loosing his best friend. I was glad that his personal life seemed to be on an upward path. He and Sarah Gardner had started to date again and it seemed like things were getting serious. They'd both be at the wedding of course, Daniel as Jack's best man and Sarah as his date. Janet would be standing up for me as my maid of honor.
My heart aches for Janet. I think she really has feelings for Daniel and seeing him with Sarah like this must be hard for her. But she refuses to do anything about it. Sure reminds me of someone I know. A matchmaker I'm not; I've had enough trouble sorting out my own life.
Jack and I had agreed that we would spend a week in San Diego with Mark and his family before the wedding. This would allow us both to get familiar with the area, but more importantly give Jack the chance to get to know Mark, at least a little. I was surprised how important that was to me, especially since Mark and I hadn't been close for a long time. Now with Dad gone, Mark was the only family I had left and I really wanted him to be a part of our lives. I was thrilled when Mark had offered his place for the reception and suggested we have the wedding at St. Brigid's. I was hoping Mark could come to know Jack in a way that would really allow us to be family.
The best laid plans …actually we made it to San Diego just 2 days before the wedding. As usual an emergency had come up that kept both Jack and I in the Washington environs way beyond our planned departure. When we did arrive at the San Diego airport we had quite the entourage waiting for us. Most of our friends had already arrived and were staying in the San Diego area. Janet and Cassie picked us up.
Mark and Lisa had prepared a lovely lunch when we arrived. Jack, well Jack, seemed like he was struggling with all of the personal attention and appeared uncomfortable, until he was welcomed by my niece and nephew. He was so at home with the kids. He didn't have to pretend with children, he could simply be himself. I'm sure he sensed some of the hostility Mark still harbored toward the military.
He and Jack had actually met for the first time at Dad's funeral. Jack had gone out of his way to ease things for Mark and show a softer, gentler side of the military, even with the 21 gun salute that made it a bit difficult at a military funeral. But knowing my brother, it would take a few more visits before some of the long nurtured distrust was forgotten.
On a lighter note, my sister-in-law Lisa brought me to the front sitting room where she had hung the wedding dress. It had been altered and fit beautifully. A month ago, Mark had told me that he'd kept mom's wedding dress and it was still in really good shape. He'd asked me if I'd consider wearing it. I didn't even know he had it. I was her daughter and it hadn't been left with me. Of course, I was also the military officer who didn't show a lot of hope of settling down. I remember how he'd taken me up to the attic to get it. I was thrilled to find that itwas already close to a perfectfit.
The day Mark had given me Mom's dress he'd also taken out the wedding album I hadn't seen in years. And today after lunch and before going off to the church for rehearsal, we all sat down to look at Mom and Dad's wedding photos. Over forty years ago, they were married at St. Brigid's where Jack and I would soon take our vows. My niece and nephew, ages six and four had seen these pictures repeatedly over the years and were occupied with some of the new video games Jack has brought them.
Jack and I sat arm in arm, just opposite Mark and Lisa as pictures were passed back and forth and narrated. As we continued to look at pictures, I could tell Jack was distracted. He excused himself and went out to the back porch at one point. When he didn't return I followed him.
"Jack, are you okay?"
"I'm fine. I'm sorry, Sam, I just needed some air. It's been a long few weeks."
"I'm not buying that, what's going on with you?"
"Thinking about my parents, about whether or not they ever really loved each other. Looking at Jacob and your mom, they looked so happy, Sam. I'm glad they had that. I don't think my mom and dad ever did."
I had heard the story of Jack's parents long ago, during our time on SG1. Their relationship had been the center of more than one of his nightmares off world. Since Jack and I were together, he'd told me more of the story of his father, a violent alcoholic and his mother who was often on the wrong end of Jonathan O'Neill's fists. His mom had left in the middle of the night and never come back when Jack was 12. His father died 2 years later in an alcohol related car accident.
I put my arm around Jack, a man who was more vulnerable than anyone could possibly know. "What they did was not about you, Jack O'Neill. You are a good and loving man."
"What if I'm not Sam? What if I end up like my father?"
"Never going to happen, Jack. You are your own person and you're the man I love. You're not your father."
Thanks to all of you who have submitted reviews for Backstory so far. Your feedback is much appreciated.
This is a shameless plea for reviews. My friends and family HATE science fiction; they are not about to read this stuff. So, I'm really depending on your thoughts about the story to help shape and improve it. Obviously, I'd like to hear what you like about it; also, I would very much appreciate any and all constructive criticism and suggestions on how to make it better. Thanks!
