And now we go through several chapters that happen between the scenes of Threads...starting at the beginning...
"Waltzing...now." Jack stared accusingly at the still closed door as Sam ducked her head.
Jack looked up at her, "Okay, so you can't really expect him to start cooperating with me. That doesn't mean he won't eventually be showing up."
"Sir..." Sam, sighed, eyes fixated on the man in front of her.
Jack looked down, "Carter, I'm sorry. I really am."
She sucked her cheeks in and her eyes flicked over him.
He looked up to see an internal debate playing out across her face. "What is it?"
She looked down.
He tilted his head, "Carter...?"
"I know about your transfer." She said it simply, without emotion or preamble.
He let out a slow breath and closed his eyes.
"Daniel..." He muttered, bracing both hands on the desk and standing to meet Sam eye to eye.
"He didn't tell me." She defended, "Well, not intentionally. I mostly figured it out on my own."
Jack looked down, "Look, Carter..."
"Sir, it's okay. I'm happy for you." Her monotone belied her words, "With Daniel being gone I just thought you should know that I know." She stared back at him, face blank.
He swallowed, "I was going to tell you."
"It's okay sir." She shrugged, face still impassive.
He squinted, trying to read what she wasn't saying. "Things could still change. Nothing's certain."
Sam nodded, "I understand sir."
He squeezed the back of his neck, "I'm not all that thrilled with it, any of it you know."
"I'm sure you'll come around, sir. It's a big career move and an honor, sir."
"Career...?" Jack blinked in hurt confusion.
Sam shrugged, "Of course sir. The pentagon, DC. You'll be in position to do a lot of good there sir."
"Yes...well...You know me and cities, especially DC...I'm going to have to give up my truck." Jack grinned, trying to inject some humor and break down the wall of 'sirs' that Carter was throwing at him.
She was undeterred, "Northern Virginia has some beautiful places within easy commute of the Pentagon. I'm sure you'll find some place to suite you just fine sir."
He let out a short breath. "Carter..."
"Sir." She dropped her hands behind her back and seemed completely unaffected by his growing frustration. "Perhaps this is a good time to talk about SG-1."
He blinked at the change of subject.
She stared back.
He shook his head, "What are you talking about?"
The muscle below her eye twitched; the only break in her stony facade. "Sir, Daniel is, for the time being, gone and Teal'c is going to be working with the Jaffa for the foreseeable future." She briefly glanced down, "I am just wondering what it is you are expecting me to be doing."
Jack regarded her carefully, "They ARE coming back, Carter."
"You don't know that."
He ran a hand down the front of his face, "No. I don't." He admitted quietly. He lowered himself back down to his chair.
Sam's eyebrows arched in surprise at the admission and she unconsciously mimicked him, relaxing herself into the chair across the desk, eyes wide and staring at him, waiting for whatever he had to say.
He gave her an odd, sad, smile, "I'm sorry." His eyes met hers, "Look, SG-1 was going to be on stand down starting next week anyway; someone is having some fancy party or something." He attempted a grin, but his eyes were serious.
He braced his forearms on the desk, "At the very least Teal'c will be back for that, I've been told those damn undomesticated equines wouldn't keep him from your nuptials so I doubt undomesticated Jaffa would either. I'll talk to him about his intentions and plans when he comes back. In the meantime, we hope that Daniel finds his way home. You can work on all those little science projects I know you haven't had time to do or you can take extra time to hang with Dad or do whatever it is that women do in the days before their wedding."
He gave her a comforting shrug, "It's not like you need to punch a time card. I trust you'll be there if we need you but after last week you deserve what ever time or flexibility you want. Do what you need to do and we'll hope everything is back to normal by the time you get back from..." his eyebrows knitted together, "Where is your honeymoon again?"
"Uh, Cancun, sir." She smothered a small wince.
Jack eyebrows raised and he smirked, eyes tracing her fair skin, "Pack sunscreen."
Sam rolled her eyes and allowed a small laugh but her face quickly fell again, "What if it's not, sir? Back to normal?"
Jack shrugged, "Then you can do what ever you want."
She narrowed her eyes, "Sir?"
"Carter, look," He leaned back, "You aren't exactly without options; If you want to keep going through the gate just tell me who you want on your team. Want to stay in the lab with Bill Lee and the rest of the geeks? Fine. Want a change of scenery? Area 51 would love to have you but has been too afraid to ask, the Prometheus has all sorts of positions open, and your input would surely be valued with the other 303 projects in the works. Maybe you want to head up a 302 squadron. Hell, maybe you want to just teach at the Academy or go fly an A-10 for a while. Anyone who knows you wants you to work for them. I'd even take you to Washington with me if I didn't think it would be a waste of your talents."
He looked away and took a deep breath. "You have options. Stop limiting yourself. What ever you want to do, you know I have your back. Here, DC, wherever I end up; I will never leave you hanging."
Brown eyes met blue and they held steady for a long time before Sam bit her lip and looked down and Jack cleared his throat.
She stood and nodded curtly, "Thank you Sir. I'll think about it."
"See that you do Colonel."
She turned to leave but he stopped her, "Carter." She looked back, waiting.
He stood up, shuffling the folders on his desk before picking one up that had a facility tag on it, "Almost forgot. Pete's clearance and visitor tag." He handed it over to her. "You wanted it for today, right?"
She froze for a second but quickly shook herself off and reached out for the folder, "Yes, Sir. Thank you."
At the last moment Jack snatched it out of her reach and held it close to his chest, a mischievous look on his face, "Or, would you rather that mean, ol' General O'Neill deny your request so that you don't have to go through introducing Pete to dear old Dad?"
She smiled, "Honestly? If I thought that Dad would let us get away with it I absolutely would take you up on that."
Jack grinned and handed the folder over, "Not on your life." He bounced his eyebrows, "You can't possibly be nervous? Come now, it'll be fun!"
"Yeah, sure, ya'betchya." Sam sighed with a roll of her eyes, taking the folder and leaving for the security office.
"Captain Murphy?" Sam knocked on the door of the security officer before stepping inside and freezing. There was that CIA woman again. Sam narrowed her eyes.
"Colonel Carter." Murphy acknowledged. At the sound of Carter's name Agent Johnson turned around and peered at her curiously. "This is is Agent Johnson, CIA. Agent Johnson, Lieutenant Colonel Samantha Carter, SG-1." The Captain made introductions. "What can I do for you Colonel?" He asked as the two women shook hands and exchanged polite greetings.
Sam pulled her eyes away from brunet. "Um, yes. I'm expecting a guest to the base this afternoon. The General just handed me the clearances so I'm dropping them off."
"Okay." The captain nodded and accepted the folder from Sam's hand and moved to his desk.
"I didn't realize SGC personnel had visitors on base." Agent Johnson casually observed aloud.
"Not often Ma'am." Captain Murphy explained. He looked up to Sam and gestured to Kerry, "Agent Johnson is doing a review of some of our security protocols. Making sure we don't have any infiltrators trying to steal the gate again." He explained with a grin.
Sam nodded, a forced smile on her face. "I see. Well you don't have to worry about that from Pete. He's just coming in to meet with my father."
Kerry nodded, "Oh is that your fiance? General O'Neill mentioned you were getting married. Congratulations."
"Thanks..." Sam accepted uncomfortably trying to determine why the General would have been discussing her wedding with the CIA agent.
"I imagine it must be difficult planning a wedding what with everything that's been going on around here recently." Kerry continued, an open smile on her face.
Sam was uncertain why this stranger was being so friendly with her; furthermore she was unsure why it made her so uncomfortable but whatever the reason her nerves were on edge and she struggled to keep the smile on her face, "It can be. Luckily I have a lot of support."
Kerry nodded in understanding, "I'm told a great maid of honor can make all the difference."
"Uh, no..." Sam stuttered, "I mean, yes, my maid of honor is great, but she's still in school. I meant here at the base. General O'Neill has been very understanding."
Kerry's overly bright smile faltered, "I'm sure he has been. He seems like a very supportive boss."
"Well, especially to Colonel Carter here." Captain Murphy smirked handing the senior officer a clip board with a form for her to sign. "You were on SG-1 with the General for how long? 6 years?"
"Seven." Sam corrected automatically, reviewing and signing the form.
"Seven years." The captain shook his head, "After some of the things they've been through, and the things you've accomplished yourself, Colonel, well let's just say that no one on this base begrudges any favor the General might toss your way."
Sam handed the clipboard back, eyes narrowed and back straight, "Although I appreciate the sentiment, I'd be careful of your tone Captain. The General cares deeply for every person on this base; SG-1 or not; it's not for you or anyone to call his integrity in to question."
The security officer held up his hands, "I'm sorry Colonel, I didn't mean any offense by it. Of course I don't doubt the General's integrity. No one does. I just meant it as a compliment to you ma'am. That you deserve to have whatever favors you want."
Sam sighed, "Murphy, I suggest you stop trying to fix it before you dig yourself any deeper. Favors is a term that can get people in trouble in the Air Force. The General doesn't need any headaches because someone doesn't think before he speaks."
Murphy nodded quickly and meekly. "I'm sorry Colonel Carter, I really am. Won't happen again. Here's your copy of the clearance order. We'll have Mr. Shanahan's badge waiting for him at the initial check point. 1400 hours?"
Sam nodded, "Yes. Thank you." She gave the Captain one last glare then made a show of rolling her eyes before stepping back into the hall.
Captain Murphy let out a slow breath. He looked over at Agent Johnson, "That was stupid of me. Unwritten SGC Rule; don't talk about any member of SG-1 to another member of SG-1...including the General." He shook his head and turned back to the paperwork he had been compiling, "Stupid, stupid, stupid." He muttered to himself.
Kerry watched him for a second and glanced to the open door before making up her mind and moving quickly to catch up with the departing officer.
"Colonel Carter." Her heels clacked loudly on the cement floor and the Colonel stopped and turned, waiting for her.
"Agent Johnson." She acknowledged blandly.
"Please, call me Kerry." She smiled against the cool greeting.
Sam held out a hand, "Sam."
"Sam." Kerry acknowledged. "I just wanted to catch up because things got a little tense, back there, but I know you're an important person to know on base."
Sam shook her head, "Not really."
Kerry nodded, "Yes really. My work is regarding the Trust. SG-1 are the ones who have had the most direct contact with them." She looked earnestly at Sam, "I may have questions at some point and as of now you'll be my best resource on the base."
Sam looked down and released a slow breath. When she looked back up her posture was more relaxed and her small smile more genuine. "Of course. I'm sorry if I've come off as rude."
"It's perfectly understandable that you might have had some things on your mind given the week you've had." Kerry shrugged. "I understand we have you to thank for saving the galaxy from annihilation from techno-bugs."
Sam blinked at the agent's use of such an 'O'Neill-like' term but dismissed it, "Well a lot of the credit actually goes to my father and his symbiote, Selmak." She refused to give Ba'al any recognition for his assistance. "But of course I'll be happy to help with your investigation. My lab is on 19. Feel free to come by anytime. If I'm not there I'm generally somewhere around 27 or 28."
Kerry smiled, "Thank you. I'll be sure to remember that."
Sam nodded then looked down the hall, "Don't you need to get back to..." She gestured back to the security office.
Kerry shook her head, "Oh, no. I was just wrapping up in there when you came in." She smiled, "I was actually going to head to the commissary. I've been promised the cake here is surprisingly good."
"Ah." Sam smirked, "I think I can guess who suggested that." She began walking again and Kerry fell in step alongside her.
"Yes, the General was quite...insistent." She gave a small roll of her eyes.
"The man takes his desserts seriously." Sam agreed.
"Yes..." Kerry looked to the woman next to her. "Though, he can be a difficult man to read."
Sam smiled. "That too."
They arrived at the elevator and Sam swiped her card and rocked back and forth on her feet.
"You know..." Kerry broached.
Sam looked back at her, expectant. "What?"
Kerry sighed, "I was just thinking, having worked with him for so long perhaps you might be able to give me advice that might help me with the General...?" She bit her lip and squinted.
Sam arched her eyebrows, "Help you. With the General?..." She repeated.
Kerry held up her hands, "I don't mean anything nefarious by it. It's just, well, like I said, he can be difficult." She squinted her eyes and looked away, "We've been working together for a few weeks now and sometimes it seems so easy and others...it's like he's a different person who just shuts down and I am at a complete loss as to what to say. But I know he respects you a great deal."
"Uh, yeah." Sam moved into the open elevator. "Look Kerry, I don't know what to tell you. I've known him for over 8 years and sometimes it's still like pulling teeth. Just know that he's a good man with amazing instincts who lets people in on his own terms and in his own way."
Kerry nodded and followed Sam into the elevator. "Well, I guess that doesn't sound too different than other generals." She remarked lightly but Sam's head turned sharply.
"He's not." She bit her lip and looked forward, before turning back to Kerry, "I've grown up Air Force and have known a lot of Generals in my life and most of them are perfectly good people but when I say General O'Neill is a good man I mean above all else. Above his position, above the Air Force, above anything. If he thinks something is the right thing to do it doesn't matter what else is at risk or what is expected of him. He got where he is not because of ambition but because he takes on the burden of the hard choices so others don't have too. Most generals realize there is an element of internal politics to their position and act with at least a sense of self preservation. That's not the case with General O'Neill. He'll throw himself in front of a train for anyone. So far it has to served him well but it was never certain."
Kerry blinked, "Sounds like you care a lot for him." She commented quietly.
Sam straightened, "There isn't anyone on this base who doesn't have the utmost respect for the General."
"Of course." Kerry nodded slowly.
Sam relaxed, "I just mean to say don't be quick to try and treat him like other generals; it won't get you very far. He's definitely one of a kind."
Kerry smiled. "I've sensed that."
The door pinged open and Sam gestured to the empty hall, "The General's preferred mess hall is down there to the left, if he told you to try the cake I'm assuming it's because they have double chocolate today."
"Cake at 11am." Kerry rolled her eyes and looked to Sam, "Care to join me?"
She smiled, but shook her head "I have a few things to wrap up before this afternoon, I'm going down another few floors."
Kerry nodded and stepped into the hall but kept the elevator door blocked with her arm. "Thank you Colonel." She shook her head and smiled gently, "I mean Sam. You've certainly been enlightening."
"Well," Sam shrugged, "Just don't tell the General. He hates gossip, especially when it's about him."
Kerry laughed, "Don't worry. Just between us."
Sam smiled genuinely in return, "Oh, also, for the sake of your own sanity, don't ever bring up the Simpsons. He'll go off worse than Daniel and ancient cultures."
Kerry blinked in mild confusion but the fond smile on Sam's face as the elevator doors closed told her all she really needed to know.
A/N: I felt Kerry really needed to meet Sam and get a sense of Sam's feelings on Jack. Being CIA I'm thinking Kerry is pretty good at reading between the lines and picking up on things people don't say. In the show she was awfully confident when she broke it off with Jack so I figured she had to have spent *some* time with Sam.
And Sam's curt attitude about Jack's leaving (at the start of the chapter) is because she's hurt and confused and is using military protocol to hide her feelings and give her strength at a time when she feels like the 3 closest people to her are leaving or already gone.