Title:
No Way Back
Part: 10/?
Author: Jemma
Story Status: IN
PROGRESS
Season: Five
Spoilers: Ascension
Categories: Angst,
AU fic
Pairings: Sam/Jack
Rating: K+
Content Warnings:
Angst, UST, swearing
Summary: After the events of Ascension, Sam
turns down the offer of an 'under-the-covers' operation. But when
an old face returns to the SGC, she decides to accept it. However,
when her recruiter finds out why she really took the post, they
blackmail her into working as a double agent at the SGC. (AU story)
Sam/Jack
Archive Permissions: Please ask.
Disclaimer: I do not
own any of the characters relating to Stargate. They belong to MGM
and any of their associates. I'm just playing around with them for a
little while!
Authors Note: Written based on the following
challenge:
Challenge
#1,968
(Added 20 March 2003)
1. Has to be about S/J (cause I'm addicted
gg) 2. Maybourne wants to win Carter for one of his projects, but Sam
rejects it. 3. Sam is annoyed as she thinks there is no future for
her and Jack, as Laira shows up at the SGC.
4. Sam is really
depressed and finally goes to Maybourne. 5. Maybourne realises why
Sam is on his side and plans to do something.(good/bad?) 6. Please a
good S/J ending. Submitted by Maggie.
This is very much a work in progress!
I had a wonderful first week at Uni, but am already feeling quite overwhelmed at the amount of work ahead of me! So, I've started this so that I have something to 'dip' into on study-breaks! It may end up being quite a long fic, and take me a while to write. As I post parts, and feedback you can email me will be greatly appreciated to keep it going!
Date: 7th March 2008
SGSGSGSGSGSGSG
Ooo Previously…
He continued to look at her, all-be-it sceptically. "You two," he chided. "If only you would put all this aside and talk to each other, you'd both realise how crap you're making each other feel."
She laughed gently, but sobered quickly. "It's a shame he's my CO and that that can never happen.
Ooo
SGSGSGSGSGSGSG
The remaining four days of her suspension had crawled by, having exhausted all sensible options of passing time, she had little else to do but to mull over and debate in her mind how awkward things were going to be for her back on the base.
Her dad had only been able to spend one night with her in the end. The SGC had called the morning after he had arrived with an urgent message – the Tok'Ra base had been hit again by a Jaffa army. Jacob had to return immediately to assist with the evacuation. Parting with him so soon had been hard, but she had managed to keep her emotions in check, at least as he hugged her goodbye, reassuring her that everything was going to work out.
Daniel and Teal'c had visited her on the final night before her return to work, also wanting to tell her that things were going to be OK back on the base and that she would soon be back into the swing of things.
"If you get back onto the equine Major Carter, you will be fine," Teal'c had told her wisely, making her laugh out loud with Daniel, Teal'c looking between the pair of them with a very slight grin.
She was relieved they were so supportive of her. As a team should be…she thought slightly bitterly to herself. He hadn't been to see her for the entire two weeks of her suspension. The only glimmer of hope she had were the words from her dad; that when he had spoken to him, the Colonel had seemed 'down' about things.
As she stood in front of the bathroom mirror brushing her teeth on the morning of her first day back, she tried to ignore the spasms of worry that rushed through her, when she contemplated their first meeting back on the base. She would have to speak to him, but would he even want to know? Were things going to be strictly professional from now on until…who knew?
Rinsing and spitting, she threw her toothbrush on the side and walked back through to the bedroom. Picking up her jacket and bag from the bed, she flicked the light switch as she left the room.
Time to go to work…
SGSGSGSGSGSGSGSG
Jack O'Neill had been waiting for this day for the last four days. After he had spoken to Jacob, things had become even clearer in his mind. Not only had he come to the conclusion that he understood she had wanted to do the right thing by Orlin, he had realised that as her CO, her friend, he should have put a little more trust in her.
Jacob Carter had the art of making him feel like crap without saying very much down to a T. He had felt like crap, for days. Now all he wanted was for Carter to get back on the base, get her two weeks probation out the way and for the team to get back to something resembling normal. Missions…briefings…maybe even a team night in a few weeks time when things had settled.
Yes, he had kept his distance whilst she had been suspended. He just couldn't bring himself to go and see her after ten days of…not…seeing her. It would have just been too weird in his books, so he'd stayed away. He knew she was ok, after probing Daniel, Teal'c, Janet, hell, even Cassie for info after they had been to see her. They had pushed him to go round, even if it was with them, but he'd refused. He was scared.
His wrist watch bleeped suddenly. 08:30 hours. He had to be on the base in thirty minutes for a meeting with the General; finalising the details of her probation before she arrived so she could be briefed.
He grabbed his keys as he passed out the front door, heading for his truck.
A part of him prayed; prayed that she would still even want to have anything to do with him, after ignoring her for two weeks.
SGSGSGSGSGSGSGSG
As 09:00 hours rolled around, she exited the elevator on level 27.
She had a meeting with the General this morning, as she had to finalise the details of her two weeks probation, find out who she would be working with, things like that.
She had to admit, she was feeling more positive. The first steps back into the base had been bizarre; she had felt like an intruder. But after bumping into a few familiar faces who genuinely seemed pleased she was back, she felt more at ease.
Strolling down the corridor and approaching the General's office, she paused to take a few deep breaths. She was nervous, but as much with excitement to be back as anything. But she wanted to remain professional in front of the General, so calmed herself before knocking firmly on the door three times.
"Come," came the voice from inside.
She pushed open the door, eyes fixed to where she knew he would be sitting, only to realise that he wasn't alone.
"General Hammond, Colonel…" she began. "It's good to see you both." A little rush of emotion ran through her and she saw him and said his name out loud.
The General smiled at her from his chair, and she was relieved when the Colonel turned around to look at her as she spoke. She was even more relieved to see a slight smile grace his face.
"Carter, good to see you," he said quietly.
"Indeed," the General added. "Take a seat Major," he said, indicating for her to sit next to the Colonel.
She did so quickly. "It's good to be back, sirs."
There was a moments silence before the General continued.
"Major, as you know, now you have completed your two weeks suspension, you will now fulfill two weeks on probation. You now have full access to the base, but will be restricted to lab work. You will be working alongside Dr. Lee, who is currently studying an alien artifact brought back by SG-7 from P8R 727. He will bring you up to speed on his progress so far when you meet with him."
Sam nodded her head in understanding of what had been said so far.
"Just to make sure you are aware Major, you will not be permitted to travel off world. Though you are back on base, you are still receiving punishment."
She let the smile leave her face at the sudden serious tone taken on by the older man. However, when he leaned towards her and took on a grin of his own, she relaxed.
"It's good to have you back Major."
"Thank you sir," she replied.
A knowing warmth passed between both of them, and as she turned her head slightly to look at the Colonel, she felt herself glow even more when she saw him smiling directly at her.
"You'll find Dr. Lee in his lab. You are dismissed," the General said after a second or two.
Standing from her seat, she nodded towards both men before leaving the room. She had a feeling that today might not be as bad as she thought…
SGSGSGSGSGGSGSG
He had quickly excused himself from the General's office after she had left; he had a feeling that Hammond knew exactly where he was going. The unspoken truths remained just that between them – unspoken. Especially when the truths concerned Carter.
He jogged down the corridor after her, towards the elevator. He knew he would catch up with her before she got off the floor. Sure enough, the door was only just opening as he caught up with her.
"Carter!" he called out as she stepped in. "Hold up!"
Slowing to a walk he followed her into the enclosed space, pleased to see how happy she looked.
"Sir, everything ok?"
"Yeah, yeah…" he replied as the doors slid shut. He wanted to tell her everything. Why he hadn't been to see her; why he had been so angry with her in the first place. That he was sorry for everything that had happened and for his part in it. He had to tell her now, or he feared he may lose the nerve to.
He hit the emergency stop.
"Sir, what are you doing?" she asked, and he could tell from the sound of her voice that in an instant she had become nervous.
"Carter, I need to tell you…things. A lot of things…and probably I don't have time for all of them right now before they call the fire service or something…"
He grinned and was pleased when she returned the gesture with a small smile.
"You know, you could have just come to see me in my lab later and talked to me…"
"I know, but…" he stopped. Damn, why did this woman have to keep throwing him off track when he was trying to tell her things?! He took a deep breath and took a step nearer to her, barely an arms length between them now.
"Carter, I'm sorry. I'm sorry for behaving like a jerk the day you were suspended. I'm sorry for being such an ass and not coming to see you, even after we knew Maybourne had been in your house. And most of all…" he paused for breath. "I'm sorry for not having any faith in you."
He saw colour rise slightly to her cheeks and felt his bravery slipping away from him slightly.
Army of Jaffa – no problems. Alone with Sam Carter in an elevator – hardest thing ever.
"Sir…I don't know what to say…"
"You don't have to say anything," he interrupted quickly. He wanted to reach out and grab her; take her in his arms and hold her, telling her everything would be ok and that soon her probation would be over and the team would be back together. Tell her that he prayed she would forgive him for treating her like shit.
He knew he couldn't though. That they…couldn't.
"Carter, it's going to be the hardest thing to do, going on missions with the team without you. That's why you're gonna keep you're head down for the next two weeks. You're gonna work off this probation so that Simmons gets off our backs, and you're gonna get back on the team. We're gonna get things back to normal. OK?"
His eyes didn't leave hers for the whole time he talked, but nerves had made hers dart about the elevator, until now.
Warm blue met deep brown as she spoke. "Back to normal; sounds good to me," she replied with a warm smile, which he returned.
As his heart seemed to almost pound right out of his chest, he hit the emergency stop button once more and the elevator resumed its short climb. It shuddered to a stop soon enough and it was only then that he stood back away from her, so she could pass by him.
Even with the distance between him he could swore he felt her sleeve brush his as she passed him.
She turned back as he hit 27 on the panel. "See you later Colonel."
"Laters Carter," he replied whilst smiling, the door blocking her from view all too soon.
Little did either of them know, their plan of getting things back to normal was about to be turned on its head before it had even gotten started…
SGSGSGSGSGSGSGSG
So there we go, end of part 10! I'm so sorry it took so long to get this part out. Uni has been beyond busy the past month, and this is literally the first time I have had to look at this story! I love writing it though, let me know if you're still loving reading it!! I hope I'll have some more written in the next few days.
Oh, and this chapter was pretty sappy I know, but after all the angst, I needed to write something a bit more light hearted. However, I don't think it's gonna last… ;-)