Thanks a lot to my reviewers: asdeed, Samisim, Miss Pookamonga, pathconf and Sam Carter McKay.
A/N: I know I promised this chapter a lot earlier but my beta only sent me back the chapter today…something to do with a tornado or cyclone I think… Interesting how the weather can affect your life in some parts of the world. Thanks a lot ellymelly for the beta work!
Well, I hope you will enjoy this chapter, I know I did!
Do not forget to review! I love you for it!
Chapter 6
Colonel Carter was sitting in her office when John and Rodney entered. She had been staring blankly at her desk for a while as a mix of emotions ranking from annoyance to worry directed to her future self kept her from doing any work. Deep in thought, she almost didn't see her visitors until an annoyed Rodney cleared his throat.
Her gaze settling on them, she noticed they were missing some team members.
"What happened to Ronon and Teyla?" she asked, thinking the worst after the events of the day.
John threw himself into one of her chairs and replied, "Still in the commissary entertaining our guest. I grew tired of watching myself eating…"
Rodney cut him off, preventing John from explaining more, "It was awkward and I wanted to see if you had anything new."
"I ordered a MALP to check on the address of this alien race. Should be ready in half an hour," answered Carter, looking at the pair.
Upon seeing John and Rodney's uneasiness she asked, "What happened in the mess hall?"
John raised his glance at her, "It was just weird. Me arguing with me, it was like a comic show for the team. Ronon kept laughing at me. It grew tiring and we didn't have a lot to talk about anyway with all that 'no talk about the future' restriction."
"Well, she had a lot to say," mumbled Carter to herself.
Rodney jumped on the barely audible words, "Really what did she say? Where is the other you by the way?"
"I sent her to the guest quarters, she was upset."
"About what?" asked Rodney, frowning.
"About…It doesn't matter. We need to send them back quickly."
Before Rodney or John could ask for more explanation, Chuck knocked on her door and announced, "The MALP is ready."
Sam stood, "Ok. Let's do this. Could you notify Ronon and Teyla and have them bring our future guests?"
As Ronon and Teyla brought Future John and Sam in the control room a sudden tension filled the atmosphere the second both Carters saw each other. Sam tried very hard not to hate her younger self for her earlier words but felt a pang of anger and jealousy upon seeing how close Rodney was standing next to her other self.
Carter purposely avoided her glance and turned to Chuck, "Dial the gate address they gave us and send the MALP."
"Yes, Ma'am."
The wormhole established, the team observed the MALP depart for its destination.
"The MALP is on the other side, receiving telemetry," announced Chuck.
A video stream came on the main control screen showing a forest and an empty clearing.
"The MALP isn't detecting any life sign on the planet. No energy readings," announced Chuck while taking his eyes of the screen.
"I could send a team," offered Carter seeing the future John's worried expression.
"No, this doesn't look like it. The planet I went to was technologically advanced, with streets starting from the Stargate to the city capital. They tried to look like humble people but look here, there's no sign of civilization, nothing but trees," Sam pointed out.
"So, time travelers? " asked John
"Maybe… or just travelers," said Ronon talking from experience.
"Wouldn't that mean that they can build a civilization very quickly?" asked Carter.
"How can you tell?" asked future Sam, intrigued.
"Because you are not from that far in the future, are you?"
Sam was shocked that her younger self had guessed the truth with so little detail.
"I don't really know for sure… When are we?"
Carter hesitated but reasoned that this was not a particularly dangerous question, "2008"
"Well you are right…not that far."
"So?" asked Rodney in confusion.
"We have no way of contacting this race. We are stuck here!" declared future Sam.
After the debacle with the MALP, the team had split up to various locations, some decided to enjoy a few distractions while others did go to do actual work. It was getting late in Rodney's lab but Sam, Radek and Rodney were still working on the alien device. A yawn broke the silence and Rodney turned to Radek surprised.
"You are still here?" asked the Canadian.
"Why? Did you see me leave? I'm still running simulations from the gate addresses in store in the DHD of the Furlings planet."
Carter had ordered Lorne's team to check the planet in case the MALP was wrong, the team came back empty handed to their future visitors' despair, with only the planet DHD content to analyze.
"Right," said Rodney a pensive look on his face and added, "Go to bed Radek. We are getting nowhere here. We will work better tomorrow morning."
"You're sure?"
"Yeah go!" he waved dismissingly at the Czech scientist.
Radek rose and headed for the door before turning at them asking, "Aren't you two coming?"
Sam looked up at the question and then turned to Rodney silently begging him not to.
Rodney answered for both of them, "We have a few more tests to run. Shouldn't last long. You go ahead. I will see you here first thing tomorrow morning."
Radek nodded, "Fine. Goodnight then."
"Goodnight Radek," said Sam with a warm smile.
"Hmm," grunted Rodney in acknowledgement.
Once alone Sam decided it was time to have the talk she had been waiting for all day and stood to get closer to Rodney.
"Rodney. I need to tell you something," she began.
"Don't!" answered Rodney without looking up at her.
"Listen, it's important," she added pleadingly.
"Carter is right. We have no right to make that kind of decision. I'm flattered that you consider me that important but what are the chances we could actually make it worse?" said Rodney looking up at her.
Sam sighed, "Fine, but I still want to talk to you about something. Late night snack? " she asked with a cheery tone, trying to pick on Rodney's weakness.
Rodney jumped from his chair smiling, "Oh yeah! I'm starving. Let's go. This can wait till morning," he said pointing at the device. Sam smirked, it was all too easy to bribe Rodney with food.
It was now past midnight and Rodney sugar level was running low. They entered the empty mess hall and headed to the leftovers left by the kitchen staff for those late working scientists.
Beef bourguignon with pasta for Rodney and the Pegasus equivalent of 'chicken' for Sam, they sat in silence knowing that whoever said the first word would start a very difficult conversation. After her third bite of chicken Sam sighed in frustration and dropped her fork.
"I never hated you. You have accused me many times of that but I never did."
Rodney gaped at her, his fork hanging loosely in his hand, trying to understand what she was saying, "Huh?"
"I know it might sound cliché but I actually liked you a lot but wouldn't admit it to myself."
Rodney closed his mouth and gulped. "O…k?"
Sam smiled at his confusion, "Sorry. I don't really know how to explain this. It's just that I found your confidence and arrogance compelling. Annoying too but also attractive."
"Really?" asked Rodney suddenly, very interested in the conversation.
"Yeah, and you are cute too!" she added, knowing this would get the reaction she wanted.
Rodney smiled but stopped suddenly and pointed accusingly at her, "Nice try but I know that I'm not!"
"Well, not cute to make the cover of those teenage magazines or the Shape Mag cover but you are attractive – for a scientist."
Rodney mused for a second before nodding, "I'm better looking than Zelenka, there's no doubt."
Sam giggled. She leaned over and whispered to Rodney, "You are right, there's no doubt, but don't tell him I said that."
Rodney gave her a warm smile in return, "Of course Sam,"
Rodney went back to eating and Sam continued to talk, playing with her fork as her chicken slowly turned cold.
"I don't know when I fell in love with you…"
Rodney choked on his beef as he swallowed it the wrong way, Sam smiled at his surprise but gave no sign of showing interest in it.
"… it was progressive and all I know is that one day I looked at you and wanted to kiss you so badly I actually did it."
Rodney gaped at her and watched her with eyes as big as saucers.
"You…You kissed me? It wasn't me acting stupid?"
"Yes, I kissed you. Gave you quite a scare, you almost fainted but Sheppard yelling your name brought you back to your senses."
"Sheppard?"
"He was in the room when I kissed you. The poor guy, I thought he was going to scream, looked like the whole world had gone mad," she chuckled.
Rodney shook his head at the thought of Sheppard going crazy because of him being kissed by a girl.
"What happened next?" asked Rodney.
"You asked me why I kissed you and I told you 'Why not?' Then I asked you if you thought it was a mistake…"
"It wasn't?"
"No…" Sam stood up and went to kneel next to him. She took his hands and said, "No matter what other people say it was not a mistake and never will be because this…" she squeezed his hands, "…is meant to be."
Sam slowly stood up but not before kissing Rodney on the lips. A slow brush of lips, earning a gasp from the scientist. The kiss might have lasted just a few seconds but time stopped and to Rodney the kiss lasted an entire lifetime.
A warm feeling staring from his lips and going through his entire body made him oblivous to anything else. He felt like he was floating in heaven, this was better than any hallucination or fantasy. This was a dream come true.
As quickly as the feeling had started, Rodney felt the warm feeling disappear and opened his eyes to see Sam now standing next to him, with the most amazing smile on her face.
Man! He was now in for deep trouble if Carter ever heard about it.
To be continued on chapter 7!
A/N: So did you like this chapter? This is not the big "talk" but I'm coming to it. Rodney his in for more drama...