"Colonel," called a gruff voice from behind them. The group turned to see who it was.
"General West, sir." Jack greeted. William West looked over the rather eclectic group. He knew all about Jacob starting the investigation. He had tried to talk him out of it, pointing out the fact that it would most likely drive a permanent wedge between Samantha and Jacob. Jacob ignored him. Now West had to think fast, as he had only greeted them to allow Jacob a covert escape from the café.
"How is Sarah, Jack?" Maybe mentioning the wife would put an end to whatever was really going on. Maybe not, since there was no reaction from Sam or the other two officers.
Jack gestured widely. "She is fine, as far as I know. I haven't seen her in over a year. Carter, have you seen her?" Sam mentally rolled her eyes.
"Yes sir, I have. I see her all the time at my grocery store. She is fine, sir. Dating again." Sam didn't think that West's eyebrows could go any higher than they did just then. He didn't get a chance to respond though.
"That's great." Jack actually seemed sincere. "She deserves to be happy." He smiled at his blond subordinate, then at the older man in front of him. "see you around, General." then they left, leaving a very confused West watching as Sam and Jack climbed onto the Indian, and rode away. Apparently the other officers were following them. He shook his head, paid his bill and left.
Sam was angry. She had seen her father slipping out the door during West's oh-so-subtle distraction. She slammed her mental walls down, effectively blocking out Jack and Mac. She full throttled down the open road. Leaving Harm in her dust. He picked up his own pace.
"What is her problem?" Mac asked him, shaking her head. She opened her mind, but was getting nothing but anger. Harm shrugged and pushed the car more, trying to keep up with the Indian. He had an idea, but he wasn't sure.
"I just hope the colonel can calm her down." he said, not sparing even a glance at Mac, "He seems to know her better than she does." Mac just nodded, too lost in her own thoughts to actually answer him.
"SAM," Jack shouted into her ear, and mind.
"What?" She responded quietly. She looked at her speedometer, swore and began to decelerate. It wouldn't do any good to get a ticket.
"I don't think the lawyers are behind us any more."
"Awww, CRAP" She pulled over to the side of the road, firmly planted her feet and crossed her arms. And there they sat, waiting in relative silence. After about ten minutes, Jack couldn't take it anymore.
"What is it, Sam?" he asked, pulling off his helmet. She pulled hers off and looked over her shoulder at him.
"What is what, Jack?" she asked, evasion her only tactic right now. Jack got off the bike and faced her.
"What's wrong?" he asked, looking directly into her sapphire eyes. Sam sighed. He wasn't going to let it go, she had to answer. She really didn't want to.
"He snuck out of that café like a skunk!"
Jack didn't need to ask who she meant, he had also seen General Carter slipping away. "Did you want to talk to him?"
"No. But that doesn't mean he simply sneaks away like a coward."
Before Jack could reply, Harm and Mac pulled behind them. And another car pulled in front of them, just as Harm and Mac walked up to the bike.
"Is everything ok?" called a very familiar voice. He had just gotten out of his car, and hadn't realized who he had pulled over to help. From the road he had only seen Jack, and even then just his silhouette. Jack motioned for Sam to answer, after all it was her father. Sam rolled her eyes.
"Everything is fine, Sir." Sam's tone didn't escape Jacob. It was bordering on disrespectful. But before he could respond, Harm injected,
"We just got a little lost, and were trying to get our bearings." He hadn't failed to notice Sam's tone either. He also didn't know who this stranger was. Sam rolled her eyes again. I have to talk to him, can you give us space? She directed the thought at both Jack and Major MacKenzie. Mac started a little, then pulled Harm away.
"I think there is something wrong with one of the tires." Before Harm could object, the marine had him at the back of their car. Jack smiled at Sam, then followed the two lawyers to 'investigate' the back tires. Sam leaned forward onto the gas tank, and rested her head in her hands. With them so close, her discussion with her dad had to be quiet, and she was trying to regain hold of her temper. After a few minutes, Jacob had made his way over to the idling motorcycle.
"Sam," he began, trying to meet her eye, "you have to understand why, Sammie."
Sam's head snapped up at the use of her childhood nickname. She glared at her father, but remained seated. "Why don't you explain it to me, Jacob." She hissed at him, her voice dangerously low. Jacob flinched a little before considering his next words.
"Think of how it looked, Samantha. You, a captain, dressed in tight leather and a Colonel riding on the back of an Indian that isn't really meant for two people! And then I find out that not only is he stationed with you, he is actually your CO! What was I supposed to think?"
"You were supposed to trust me, Dad. Not start an investigation into me." Sam's voice had not lost its venom, but it had gotten a little louder. Jacob relaxed, she wasn't going to kill him just yet. Before he could respond, she was talking again. "I have to go if we don't want to be reported AWOL." She blocked her father from her mind and broadcast Lets go, I am done here. the trio by the car slowly made their way back over to them. Sam slid back on the seat to let Jack drive, putting her helmet back on in the process. He looked between her and Jacob, put his helmet on and mounted the bike. When Harm signaled that they were ready, by flashing his lights, the quartet pulled off the side of the road, leaving General Jacob Carter standing there.
The rest of the ride to the hotel was uneventful. And silent. No one had anything to say as Sam went into the hotel to check them in. When she came back out, she handed a room card to Harm. They followed her into the hotel. Once they were at their respective rooms, Mac remarked, "I think I will ride with Sam tomorrow, she drives faster." Harm looked offended as Sam and Mac smirked. If you can't handle an F-14, you probably don't want to ride with Sam! Jack directed at Mac. Sam glared him into their room.
"I didn't know he could do that." Mac remarked.
"If I hadn't been standing right here, he wouldn't have been able too." Sam replied, standing in the doorway. "But he is right, I tend to speed and treat my bike like a jet, so you in particular should ride in the car. It will be better for your stomach." Mac nodded and Sam closed the door to her room.