Set after Full Circle (Season 6), eleventh in the 'By My Side' Series
Just what exactly is Jack hiding?
Author's Note: Thanks for the overwhelming response to Part 10 - it really made my day! I hope you'll enjoy this part just as much! (Ok, I doubt it will receive the same response after the popular wedding story, but I can dream!)
Natters: Glad you thought so.:)
froggy0319: Wow! That's just terrific that this story had such an effect.:) I really wanted it to be as meaningful as possible, and I guess I must have achieved that aim.:) Yep, I just had to use that Bryan Adams song - to me, that is all about what love is, and I think it just applies so strongly to this pair, when you look at what they have been through. And, LOL, I'm glad you liked Cassie's robe:) I did partly have you in mind with that, as well as one of my friends who also just loves frogs.:) I hope you like this next part!
debcole: Thanks for your comments, I'm glad you enjoyed it! As for looking her best... maybe they just have a really comfortable couch.;) I actually didn't think of that before you suggested it, so I guess that will have to be my explanation LOL! I suppose it is kinda funny when you think about it.:)
kuch: You judge for yourself whether or not this is a happy story!;) I hope you'll like it!
zats: Thank you, your comments meant a lot to me. I've worked hard at making the characters believable, and the dialogue realistic, so I was over the moon when I read them:) P.S. I like your name... zats are the coolest weapon, and I wish I had one:)
feb04: I'm blushing:) I am so happy you liked the latest instalment! Sigh, if only our dreams came true in the show. He he, I thought that was a clever line, so I'm glad you agreed!
CharmedAli: So happy that you enjoyed Story 10! Yep, how could I leave everyone hanging when there was a wedding in the works! Yes, here is Part 11 for you - just like you cough-demanded-cough, um, asked.;)
Sci Fi Fan Gillian: Thanks:)
Vickysg: Great, I'm glad you really loved it! Yes, sniff, Daniel couldn't be in it, but I wanted it to be one of those things in life, where things don't always go exactly how we'd like. But also, they honestly didn't know what had happened to Daniel, so they didn't know that all they had to do was wait.:) As for the walking up the aisle bit - you're absolutely right, and I fixed the mistake immediately! Thanks for bringing it to my attention.:) I don't even know how that mistake made it's way in, let alone, how I missed it!
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After enjoying their honeymoon immensely, and the peace from daily life it offered, all too soon Sam and Jack found themselves once again reporting for duty. It wasn't long, however, before Sam found Jack acting rather... oddly. At first she had shrugged it off, figuring he was adjusting, or that he would soon share whatever it was that was on his mind.
However, Jack's behaviour had continued, and Sam's curiosity was piqued, especially, on Tuesday evening. She had come home late, after dismantling and examining a piece of technology, SG-8 had found on an abandoned planet, PJC-110. Walking in the door, Sam had heard Jack muttering into the phone, in a very secretive fashion. When Jack turned around and saw he there, he immediately starting speaking much louder, gabbling on about the weather. 'Hmm', Sam thought, 'since when does Jack make small talk? Especially about the weather.'
When Jack had hung up, she questioned him, trying to sound casual, "Who was that, honey?"
Jack covered nicely, "Oh just an old friend. He might visit Colorado sometime, and wanted to know warm the weather was, and what kind of summer we'll be expecting."
"And he couldn't have watched the weather channel?" Sam asked, dubiously.
"Ah well, you know me, always helping the other guy," Jack replied making light of the situation. He then changed the subject completely, "Hey, did you hear what happened to Colonel Reynolds on P3Q-438?"
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Sam's suspicions seemed to be well-founded, when SG-1 had returned from their latest mission to P8K-197. It had been a planet where the MALP had recorded images of what appeared to be ruins relating to the Ancients. It had, however, been a brief mission when Jonas had found few relevant writings. On gating back to earth, and having been checked by Dr. Fraiser and attending their de-briefing, SG-1 were to have 24 hours of downtime. Sam had expected that her new husband would have been eager to go home. This however, was not the case.
"I have a ton of paperwork piling up, if I don't do it, Hammond'll kick my sorry ass to Anubis's homeworld," Jack justified himself.
Sam doubted that, from what she knew, he was mostly up to date since Hammond had got on his back about it, when they had returned from their honeymoon and Jack had actually capitulated. She knew that this being the case, Hammond probably wouldn't want to bother Jack again until next month. But thinking back to where her questions hadn't got her a few days before, she shut her mouth. As frustrating as it was, she trusted her husband, and she supposed she would find out eventually.
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Sam found the situation even more trying, one evening later that week, when they had agreed to meet one night at a small restaurant in town at 0630. Jack had been 45 minutes late. Though Sam was a patient woman, her patience had worn extremely thin by the time Jack appeared, without even sending a message to let her know. She had been preparing to leave, by the time Jack walked in through the doors.
Not wanting to fly off the handle in a public place, she asked him, slightly concerned, "Was there an emergency at the base?"
Jack had the grace to look sheepish. "Sorry sweetheart, I got caught up."
"By...?" Sam probed.
But Jack refused to elaborate any further, and instead explained that he had 'lost track of the time'. Which in itself, Sam knew was bull. Though he might run slightly late at times, he kept track of the time very well.
Upon leaving, Sam was very cool towards to new husband for the rest of the evening.
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It was the last straw, that Saturday afternoon. Sam had been planning to spend the day with Jack, outside gardening in the sunshine. She had been pleased when Janet had rung, inviting her to go out shopping and to see a movie. She had expected Jack to be slightly disappointed, but see her off with a 'have fun'. However, Jack was all too eager too see her off. 'To be honest', she thought, 'he's acting like an excited kid, who can't wait for something'. With his behaviour of late, she was determined to get to the bottom of it, whether Jack liked it or not, when she got home. Until then, she had a friend about to pick her up. The confrontation could wait.
She left, giving Jack a kiss and a suspicious look. "I'll see you later, honey. I want a talk with you."
Jack merely grinned, and waved her off.
'That man!' She thought, as she stepped into Janet's car.
After a pleasant afternoon of shopping, followed by a pathetic, but laughable movie, Janet pulled into Sam's driveway. It was now evening, and it looked like Jack must have found something better to do, because his truck was no-where to be seen.
She and Janet, walked up to the front door, where Sam unlocked the house and stepped inside. She turned on the light, and...
"SURPRISE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" cried out the bunch of formerly hidden people.
Sam dropped her bags, and her jaw dropped. Jack immediately appeared at her side, looking very much like a naughty boy who had been caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
"Jack!" Sam burst out, giggling. "My birthday isn't until next week! And what about that quiet dinner we had planned for next weekend?"
"A cover, so you wouldn't get suspicious," Jack told her, his eyes twinkling in amusement. "Forgive me for everything this week?"
Sam, wrapped her arms around him, and kissed him soundly, showing him that she wasn't mad in the slightest.
There were some laughs and groans from all present, as well as one or two comments of "get a room". The couple broke apart, grinning.
"And Janet," Sam affectionately addressed her friend. "You must have been in on this!"
Janet laughed, and gave her friend a quick hug. "Guilty as charged. Jack wanted an impromptu get-together, so you wouldn't get suspicious. Though I don't think he covered his tracks very well!"
All of the party-guests gathered around Sam, and gave their birthday wishes. Sam was pleased to see that Jacob had made it. "Hey Dad," Sam exclaimed giving her father a hug. "Don't tell me that you were in on this too?"
Jacob grinned. "How could I resist? It helps that my new son-in-law has so much pull at the SGC."
And so, everyone enjoyed the party. The stereo was turned on, and drinks poured (for the adults, despite Cassie's help in setting up while Sam and Janet were shopping, she was disappointed to discover that she was only permitted to drink soda), and gifts given and unwrapped. Jack had especially arranged for a birthday cake, and for thirty-five candles (Sam playfully slapped his arm for that).
Much later that night, after everyone had left, Jack and Sam were left alone at last, curled up together in their bed.
"I don't know how I missed you planning a surprise party, I mean I knew you were up to something," Sam remarked.
Jack smiled, his brown eyes twinkling. "I was a little worried you'd work it out... after all, I didn't hide it very well. I can play innocent when it comes to protecting the secrecy of the gate. But this..."
"I don't mind, it still worked. I think it's sweet," and with that Sam leaned over and kissed him.
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Stay tuned for Story 12: A New Beginning!
A big surprise is in store for SG-1! (No, it's not what you're thinking. Well, maybe it is...)