Oceans in The Veins

Charlie hit the pool and began swimming. She loved the silence and the feel of water on her skin. When she was in the water she was alone no matter how many other people were in the pool. It was here she could forget that most hated her and the rest thought she was strange, and no one understood her.

Her frustration at others fueled her speed and she finished the lap and made a smooth transition. She started down the lane but then she felt someone enter the pool and the water ripple around her. Her strokes never faltered as she continued to swim, but she was surprised. No-one was usually in here at this hour. As the person kept pace, Charlie began to feel a little annoyed; this was her time and she wanted to know who dared spoiling it.

She reached the end of her lap and continued on and the mystery person right beside her matching her stroke for stroke. Knowing that usually people couldn't keep up with her Charlie turned again and kept swimming even though her 500 metres were done, she had to come out on top and win, it was just her way.

But when she turned again the person was still there but she just kept swimming. Finally at 800 metres she stopped. Holding onto the pool she looked over to see who was next to her and found Nate McRae.

He smiled at her, leaning in closer. "Morning beautiful. That was fun; shall we do it again?"

Choosing to not say anything, she climbed out of the pool but she couldn't help holding on to the fact he thought she was beautiful. Ten minutes later as she headed out to finish her daily routine Nate was there waiting dressed in sweats.

"Shall we?"

Although Charlie couldn't help feeling intrigued about Jon's friend she found herself answering hostilely. "No we shall not. You can do what you like McRae but I'm going running."

She set off at a fast pace, faster than she usually did, but she needed to put some distance between her and Nate, he was making her feel things she'd promised herself never to feel, because once you opened yourself up to others the chance for betrayal grew exponentially.

Behind her there was the crunch of leaves and Nate's voice. "You know Charlie once you get to know me, I'm sure you'll like me. I'm a good guy."

Charlie rolled her eyes and picked up the pace and so did Nate. "Where were you born? I mean I'm assuming you haven't emerged from the gates of hell, even if that is the rumor going around. I mean you don't have black wings and cast curses." He turned to look at her with an very earnest expression. "Do you?"

And the more Charlie tried to fight the laughter the harder it fought to escape. She bit her lip trying to contain it but it escaped.

Nate's smile got bigger. "See didn't that feel good?"

Sobering instantly, Charlie took off running at a slow pace to warm up hoping Nate would get a clue and stay behind or head in another direction, but there he was dogging her heels. As she felt her muscles loosen she quickened the pace hoping to out pace him.

"So would you like to come to my family's home for Thanksgiving? Cassie hosted last year, so my mother insisted we return the favor."

Charlie didn't look at Nate, because she didn't want to see his earnest expression or the pity in his eyes. "Ah, Cassie and Jon will be there?"

"Yup. Jack and Sam will be there too, well unless the world comes to an end or something-" He stopped and laughed nervously. "You know how military types are, I mean your father was-"

"I never really knew my father. My mother isolated me from him as much as possible after the divorce. I saw him maybe five or six times before his death. My grandfather is practically all I've ever known about this, and he is a retiredGeneral."

"I'm sorry. I never knew that. That's harsh. I can't imagine not knowing my father or mother."

Charlie snorted. "I'd love to purge myself of all the memories I have of my mother." She could hear the bitterness in her voice and she was sure Nate could too. "I haven't decided yet what to do with my name… At least I got rid of her in my paperwork."

Nate stepped in front of her blocking her path. "Charlie, you have to let her go. If you keep churning up these feelings they're going to destroy you. You're better than this, let her go and live your life on your terms, not hers or your father's."

"Ask me again on Graduation Day," she grumbled. "And after that, on Memorial Day. In Arlington."

"Hey a lot of people had their parent mess up their lives but it's how you choose to act once you realize they were wrong. I like you, Charlie and I want to help you. Will you let me?"

"Have you ever, honestly in your life, been completely betrayed by someone you trusted with everything? That's where my hatred roots in. I'm not for revenge, that's idiotic. No. I want justice. And to right my own wrongdoings. When I'm done, I'll let go. Now get out of my way. Sir." During the small speech, her voice never lost the flat-line, emotionless but dark sound.

Nate stepped back surprised. "No I can't say that I have. I'd trust every member of my family with my life and they in turn trust me the same way. I can't imagine what you're going through, but I would like to show you my family and I hope you can think of us as your family." He reach out touching her shoulder. "But I hope you don't think of me as your brother because then I couldn't do this." He bent his head and touched his lips to hers just for a heartbeat and took off running again. "See you at mess. I'll save you a seat. No one should eat alone, ever."

He stopped after a few feet. "And think about Thanksgiving. Mom and the others really want you there."

Shocked Charlie watched him go. Her fingers touched her lips and she wondered what if Nate knew that was her first kiss. It was a long time before she started her run again.


Jack knocked once on Haruka's door and didn't wait for a response before he entered. He was tired but he had to talk to Haruka before he headed back to DC. He was scheduled to leave in the morning now that the mess at the SGC was all sorted out. If only he'd been told about Anubis' freak experiment sooner he might have nipped a few things in the bud, but he'd arrived after it was over, except the shouting, and shout he did.

"Sorry to barge in on you like this-"

He stopped when a Cadet jumped up like a frightened rabbit and Haruka glared.

Haruka got to her feet and nodded to Jack before turning to the cadet. "I need to speak to General O'Neill. For him to barge in like this it must be important." She patted the boy on the shoulder. "Just wait outside in my aide's office and we'll continue this in a few moments. The General won't be staying very long."

Running his hands through his hair Jack messed up his no longer tidy hair. "Sorry Haruka. I just. This new mess Daniel landed us in." Jack tried to hide it but Haruka saw worry on his face. "These new bad guys are proving to be worse than the Goa'uld ever were." He sighed. "I just hope we can pull off a miracle, hime."

"Things out there not going so well?"

Jack just shook his head.

Knowing that if Jack was being this honest, things were going really bad. "Trust your people Jack. You've trained them well. I'm sure they'll come through. Besides, someone has to keep DC off their backs."

Jack's smile was grim. "I hope you're right."

Then suddenly Jack looked up. "Haruka, I want you to try and keep Jon out the this Ori mess. I want him to graduate and get his doctorate. I missed out on so much because of what Hensondid. My life could have been so very different if I hadn't…" He shook his head.

Crossing to his side, Haruka lay her hand on his shoulder. "Jack, I'll do my best but he's still you in many ways. He has a deep sense of honor. If he finds out what's going on, I don't know if even I can stop him from leaping into the fight if he gets that flea in his ear."

Nodding his head, Jack agreed. "You're right but you'll try won't you?"

"You have my promise. I'm his supervisor and I want him to finish just as much as you do. I know what the world lost when you vanished into the shadows Jack and I'll fight hell or high water to make sure Jon has his chance."

Clapping his hands together, Jack headed toward the door. "Well I've said my piece and now I have to head over to Sam's house. She wants me to help give out treats to little ghost and goblins. Her mothering instincts are kicking in." Jack shook his head. "I'm going to be a father, when I should be a grandfather. This whole thing is insane."

"Jack I'm going to tell you something I told Sam. If you don't have this child now just when are you going to? Neither of you are getting any younger and this is probably your last chance so suck it up flyboy. You reap what you sow. Besides, you always were a good father." She opened her door. "Now get out of my office and go home to your wife, sir. Mother-henning a bunch of Cadets needs time, AND this office. Jane, aniki."

Putting his cover back on Jack smiled. "Will do Haruka. Say hi to your Sea gull next time you talk. Jamatta."

Then he was gone.


Charlie entered the mess hall, feeling strange. Her lips still tingled from Nate's kiss. Had he really meant it or was it a dare to kiss the demon of revenge? She closed her eyes against the pain or his betrayal that hadn't even happened yet.

Holding her tray she scanned the room for somewhere to sit down. Just when she was about to give up and sit by herself again Nate jumped up. "Charlie, come sit. I told you I'd save you a seat."

Something stirred inside Charlie, a feeling she thought she never feel again, trust in another human being. It was so fresh and new that she hoped Nate was up to it.

The empty seat was right next to him. She cautiously sat down, not looking at Jon or Cassie who sat on the opposite side of the table. Instead she stared down at her plate as she ate.

Nate poked around her tray. "What is that stuff? It looks like someone killed a granola bar and spilled its guts into your bowl."

Charlie fought the urge to pull away and hide herself. She could see the glint in Nate's eyes that was there when he teased someone. "It's called Alpine and it's very good for you. Better wake up than coffee. Want to try it?"

She held out her spoon expecting him to refuse but he covered her hand with this own and took a bite. Only when he'd pulled the spoon back out of his mouth did he let go of her hand. "That was nice."

But Charlie got the feeling he was talking about holding her hand, not the muesli.

Nate crunched down on the food and his eyes opened in surprise. "Was that chocolate in there?" He tried to grab the bowl from her but she smacked his hand.

"Yes it is and pecan crunchers. And I added banana slices. Get your own. There's lots over there, not many people eat it." She turned to the center of the table in time to see Jon and Cassie exchange an odd look. Lowering her head once more she began to eat.

Nate's finger walked up her arm, sending more unexpected shivers down her spine. "So Charlie are you coming for Thanksgiving?" He took her hand beneath the table and squeezed it once before letting go again. "Please come."

Shocked her eyes flew to his and she turned away to hide the embarrassed grimace.

Getting to her feet she picked up her tray. "I told you I'd think about it. Jon Cassie, I'll see you later. I'm late for Jujutsu."

Hating herself, she fled Nate and the emotions he'd stirred in her. Just before she exited the hall, she looked back over at Nate and caught him watching her still. Although she tried to fight it, a smile broke out across her lips before she ran.


Jon caught up with Nate as he left. Grabbing his arm he demanded, "Just what was that all about with Charlie?"

"I was just testing the waters. I really like her but unless I force her to talk to me she won't. She's got herself locked away in a box. There is a wonderful person hiding in there and if no one else I going to take a look, I am."

"Nate she's not a puppy you can train and give back. If you're doing this you have to be all in. After what she's been through in her life, if you hurt her, that will be the end. She won't trust anyone again. Think about that, with Charlie it's all or nothing. And I fear for you when that happens. She's vindictivetoafault. As was her father."

Then Jon walked away, leaving Nate to his thoughts.


If you want to read more of this story you can go to my website I have two more chapters posted there. Just Google my pennam. You can also follow me on facebook (you want my page not my profile) to get updates other than here. (Like when I begin post on my site, usually two-three weeks before I post here.) There used to be a link on my profile but it seems to have disappeared. This is won't let you post outside links in the story that's why the address isn't here.

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