Hey folks. Thank you to those who shared their thoughts on last chapter. Opinion seems to be divided, but no outright objections. Some of you don't care much for other 'ships, others think it enhances the story, while some were concerned about the age gap between C/P. All valid points, and I've taken them all on board.
pdxskigirl even helped me realize an error in C/P's ages, making the age difference even greater! Yikes. I've since corrected Ch.13: Sixteen years between Cassie and Paul, just like S/J.
A small WARNING for this one: Violence and some Gore.
P6X-599 was known to its inhabitants as Remoc. In Goa'uld it meant 'End of a Journey', thusly named perhaps because of its location in the outer edges of Goa'uld territory. The remoteness of the planet was enough of an inconvenience that only a minor Goa'uld bothered to claim it as theirs, and Amaterasu rarely visited this part of her domain.
The shimmering puddle of the event horizon winked out behind the Jaffa, trailing the three Tau'ri companions whose backs he was watching. His steps were cautious due to the uneven ground that used to be a bricked path but was now reduced to broken stones and mortar.
All around them signs of recent destruction scarred the structures that embraced the path to the Chapa'ai. The city had been built in a crescent shape around the great circle so that Jaffa could look down from the hills where they lived, and worship towards the doorway of their god.
The air in parts of the city was still thick with smoke. Combined with the red horizon that was caused by the heavy concentration of iron oxide dust in the atmosphere, Remoc gave the appearance of a burning world. And indeed, sections of the city still burned from defeat.
The battleground was still fresh with blood of those who had fought valiantly but in vain. It was amongst these ruins that a single being stood alone observing the new arrivals to the ruined city. With sharp cold eyes, the being zeroed in on the leader of the group and regarded him with a starving look.
Do what you must.
The group divided into twos before fanning out in opposite directions, weapons at the ready. The Jaffa went with the woman and the other man with the leader. The being did not hesitate to follow the first group.
Make it quick. You must not hesitate.
With a purposeful stride, the being stalked the Jaffa and the woman who'd disappeared into a building where the ceremonial duties were performed. Inside, acolytes still lay where they had fallen, their useless weapons beside them. Fires burned, with tapestries and ancient wooden tables as fuel.
The bodies strewn about the stone floors were mere obstructions to be stepped over, and when necessary, stepped on. There were no feelings associated to the loss of life that permeated the entire planet. There was only the goal, the mission, the drive to conquer, and feed.
The woman and the Jaffa had gone in separate directions to better cover the interior of the scarred structure. This made them an easier target. The death of the woman could be savored… and prolonged.
Teal'c managed to get off a few shots, and the astonishment on his face when the bullets found their mark and his pursuer kept coming, was almost comical. When she stepped out of the shadows and recognition flared in his eyes, she basked in the moment before extinguishing his light.
She could see the look of wonderment and betrayal as life leaked out of his chest cavity where she'd driven the sharp, gleaming object that used to be her hand, into his heart.
You are doing well. Continue.
The long knife retracted and she swept from the room, not even looking behind her as the thud of the Jaffa falling dead on the floor reverberated in the cavernous space.
Major Carter was in the main worship area scanning the alcoves for survivors when the beam from her P90 Maglite illuminated a face that was identical to her own.
"Hello, Sam."
Carter hesitated, and her twin grabbed her around the neck, lifting her off her feet so that she dangled from the ground. She made choking noises as her doppelganger regarded her with curiosity, as if examining an insect that she'd picked up from the ground.
As Carter started lose consciousness, she was suddenly dropped to the ground. She gasped desperately for air, her windpipe severely bruised from the manhandling.
"Who- who…" she whispered unable to continue.
"I am you. I will be you," Carter's twin uttered calmly. "Once you are gone."
Do not linger. Finish it.
The doppelganger flinched at the order. Her eyes narrowing at the disembodied voice.
"Please," Carter gasped out. She backed away using her hands. This drew her twin's attention and the far off expression on the killer's face changed to menacing. She took a step toward Carter, her hands reaching out as if to help her up, but in the last moment, grasped the major's head and twisted it with a sickening snap.
The doppelganger carelessly dropped Carter's body, stepping over her mirror image to exit the building, and search for the other half of SG-1.
She deliberately sought Daniel Jackson first. The archaeologist was distracted by yet another cultural find, this time a fresco depicting Jaffa worshippers prostrating themselves to a goddess, and didn't hear her soft approach.
She appeared next to him, making Daniel jump, and then sigh in relief when he recognized the face staring at him.
"Geez, Sam. You scared the hell out of me."
"Samantha," she corrected.
Daniel frowned in confusion. "What?"
Samantha grabbed Daniel's P90, and spun him around so that he was in front of her, one arm wrapped around his neck, the other pointing the weapon at O'Neill who was aiming his own weapon at her.
"Carter! What the hell are you doing?" he demanded angrily.
Finish them!
Samantha was completely riveted on O'Neill. She drank him in, her lips parting in desire at the sight of the man she'd dreamed of since coming to life. This was the first time she'd seen his face outside her memories and she was inexplicably drawn-
"Finish him!" Fifth appeared at her side. He leaned forward aggressively to emphasize his point. "You must break with your old life for your new life to begin."
Her eyes met Jack's. His finger tightened on the trigger. He was a marksman, an assassin in his earlier days. She knew that he could shoot her without harming his friend. He was hesitating because of his love for her.
Samantha dropped her weapon and let Daniel go. He collapsed on the floor, fighting for air. Jack lowered his weapon and cautiously approached her, but before he could take another step, he disappeared along with the rest of Remoc, to be replaced by the familiar metallic replicator blocks of her day-to-day existence.
"Why did you hesitate?" Fifth gritted out his question beside her ear. "O'Neill is nothing but a liar. He taught us betrayal and hate. You must not feel sorry for him."
"I do not," Samantha replied. It was true. Jack was not someone you felt sorry for. He was strong. Cunning. Intelligent. He was not a fool like Fifth.
She looked straight ahead unblinking, her expression, stoic.
Fifth calmed himself before speaking. "Then we will begin again. This time, do not disappoint me."
Sam Carter stood alone in the SGC conference room observing from above the going ons in the gateroom. She watched as Siler's team of engineers took down the podium and flags that remained from the promotions ceremony.
In her hands, she fiddled with the gold oakleaf insignia that Walter had returned to her. Jack himself had placed the silver ones at her shoulders once General Hammond, and Dr. Weir had officially introduced him to the base as their new commander.
Her own promotion had been a complete surprise. By the look on Jack's face when he'd faced her, he hadn't known when they'd left their house that morning. He'd been equally proud, and uncertain.
For her, the new rank changed nothing. While it was a validation of all her hard work and commitment to the Air Force, it had ceased to be the only thing that defined her. She would happily remain at her current rank if that meant having a life with Jack and the rest of the family they had made, and would make together. Lt. Colonel Samantha O'Neill sounded pretty damned good to her.
Jack and General Hammond had disappeared into the former's office to retrieve what she thought was Hammond's old chair. She might have misheard since it seemed such an absurd request.
She was waiting for them to finish whatever it was they were discussing in order to speak to General Hammond regarding her future at the SGC. By surprising them with his arrival that morning to personally confirm Jack's appointment on behalf of the Joint Chiefs, Hammond had saved her a trip to Washington.
Sam both dreaded and anticipated what was probably the most important discussion she would ever have regarding her career. The weight of her brand new rank felt heavy on her shoulders, which was entirely ridiculous since the weight difference between the insignia in her hand and the ones attached to her uniform were minute. She caught herself calculating the approximate volume and relative densities of the insignia had they been real silver and gold to confirm this hypothesis, and realized that she'd self-nerd-sniped. She sighed in annoyance, knowing that her thoughts were babbling. She tended to do that when she felt anxious.
A knocking sound startled Sam out of her thoughts. She turned to see Jack behind the glass window of his office waving for her to come in.
Sam couldn't help but smile at the familiar sight of George Hammond sitting behind the big desk instead of Jack. It felt like old times. Usually the General was tearing Colonel O'Neill a new one for some stupid indiscretion off world. Like that time he'd manage to insult a whole planet. Which, come to think of it, didn't much narrow down the occasion…
"At ease, Colonel."
She saw that Jack was already casually lounging on a chair before she realized that Hammond was actually referring to her and not to the newly minted Brigadier General. It would take some getting used to.
Her posture relaxed in obedience and she accepted the seat that Hammond pointed to.
"I want to get straight to the point, Colonel. Jack and I've spoke about this eventuality."
Sam raised her eyebrows and Hammond smiled in a paternal way that always endeared him to his subordinates.
"Perhaps not in so much detail, but the fact is, I've been made aware that your relationship have strayed into the more personal, no longer strictly that of CO and 2IC. I chose to keep silent at the time because it wouldn't have been at the best interest of this planet, and this administration to lose either of you." Hammond paused to think through his next words. "That still holds true today."
"Sir?" Sam glanced at Jack who was studiously studying his dress shoes and turned her eyes back to the old General.
Hammond answered her unspoken question. "Jack told me everything. He didn't feel he deserved the promotion after breaching the protocols of professional conduct as befitting an Air Force officer."
They both looked at Jack who was playing with the metal clip on his tie. Hammond continued on when the younger General didn't even look up. "I disagreed. I believe there were extenuating circumstances at the time and that it could all be chalked up to alien influence-"
"Which of course, I told him, would be a big fat lie!" Jack interrupted. He finally ceased fiddling and was looking at Hammond with annoyance on his face. "That whole incident with Woolsey was before I took the download-"
"Woolsey?" Sam interjected. She looked at both men in confusion. "What does that man have to do with this?"
Jack shrugged and waved his right hand in casual dismissal. "He kinda saw us in a lip lock or something at the infirmary…" Sam gasped. Jack shook his head. "No big deal, Carter. He kept his mouth shut."
"Oh, God…" Sam closed her eyes in mortification.
Jack reached out and touched her arm. She flinched and quickly glanced at Hammond.
"Calm down, Carter. That's an order," Jack said. He let go of her arm once she opened her eyes, holding her gaze. "I told the General all about your plan and he agrees that it's probably the only solution. Knowing you, it most likely is."
"I'm sure everyone at the SGC will be sad to see you go," Hammond told her, kindly.
"Then you're approving it?" she asked in astonishment. She saw the General nod his bald head.
"I had no other choice." He indicated Jack with a nod. "General O'Neill threatened to retire, leaving the SGC without a commander. While your contribution to this facility cannot be understated, his leadership is invaluable right now and we cannot afford to lose him at this moment."
"Yes, sir." Sam acknowledged. She grinned at Jack's uncomfortable grimace. He'd never been good at accepting compliments.
"Off the record," Hammond pushed on. "I know how difficult these past few years have been for both of you. The personal sacrifices you have made for the sake of this world…" the General shook his head. "If it were up to me I'd willingly turn a blind eye and tell you to carry on discreetly. But it isn't and I know that you're both too honorable for that."
He looked at Sam and Jack with his piercing blue eyes. "I asked General O'Neill to give me a few weeks to sort something out. I have someone in mind to fill your role as leader of SG-1, but in the mean time I'll need you to go on as if we've never had this conversation."
"Understood, sir." Sam and Jack both replied.
He leaned back on his chair and addressed Jack. "I know that I don't have to tell you, Jack, that as the new leader of this facility you will need to conduct yourself in a manner that is above reproach. It would be very bad for discipline if those under your command perceive favoritism towards any group or individual."
Jack raised his hand to forestall Hammond from continuing. "You're right, sir. You don't. Carter and I have been doing this a long time. We know what's at stake and that it's far bigger than us."
The old man gave a brief nod. "Very well. We won't speak of it again." He placed both hands on the desk and pushed himself up. "I'm expected back in Washington tomorrow morning. I've asked Major Davis to remain here to handle the Amran delegation," he said to Jack with a knowing look.
Jack grimaced at the thought of playing negotiator. "Have I told you lately, sir, just how much I respect, and…" he made gestures with his hands, "*love* you?"
Hammond chuckled. He stepped from behind the desk and extended his right hand, which Jack shook. "Just get Walter to send my chair back with Major Davis."
Sam smiled in confusion, but nodded when the General exited the office to catch his flight back to DC. Once he was gone, she turned to Jack who was perched on top of his desk facing her. "His chair?" she asked in an amused tone.
Jack shrugged. "He says he misses this one," he said indicating the swivel chair behind him. "I kinda agree. I think it's got two-star butt cheeks imprinted on it. I'll need a new one to properly break in to my own a-"
"You threatened to quit?" Sam interrupted him mid-sentence.
He closed his mouth and merely nodded.
"Why?"
Once again, he shrugged. "He might have said no. I figured it would have more impact if I made it known how serious I was about all this. It worked."
Sam went over to the door and closed it.
Jack crossed his arms in front of him. "Closing the door," he said carefully.
"I need to talk to you about something, and I don't want to be overheard," Sam said, leaning back against the door.
He raised his eyebrows, and motioned for her to speak. "Shoot."
"It's about what General Hammond said."
"He said a lot of things," Jack pointed out unhelpfully.
"About the appearance of favoritism towards SG-1," she went on, ignoring his commentary. "Are you sure you can be impartial? General Hammond once told me that despite all efforts, he can't help but feel closer to certain individuals under his command, and he's been at this a long time."
"You're saying I won't be able to do it," Jack said, without condemnation.
"You're in love with me. Daniel and Teal'c are your best friends. How do you square those circles?" Sam argued her point.
"I can't," he confessed with calm voice. "This is precisely the reason why the frat regs exist. As the commander of this base I can't give you preferential treatment. I have to treat you the same way as I treat Reynolds, Dixon, Ferretti, and all the other team leads. Just like I have to treat Daniel and Teal'c as I would Doctor Lee and that… what's his name… Fel-jer!" he said, mangling Jay Felger's name.
"And you're okay with that," Sam stated.
"Carter," he said forcefully. "You know the answer to that. I've felt feelings for you for how long? I've had to zat you twice, send you into dangerous situations day in and day out… It's what we do. The only difference now is, I can't personally rush to your rescue, and protect you out there. I'll have to trust others to do that now," he stood up and approached her. "And that- that's going to be really hard," he said as he cupped her face.
Her lips trembled, and her eyes swam at his words. She raised her hand to his cheek, stroking his five o'clock shadow that rasped with the movement of her thumb. "Only for the next few weeks. I trust General Hammond to come through for us, then I'll be safe in Nevada."
"You might not want to be on the sidelines once you get back out there with your own command."
Sam rolled her eyes. "You know as well as I do that being a combat officer was not what I signed up for," she gently reminded him. "I did it all these years because I knew I could make a difference. More than anything, I wanted to see what was out there. Now that I have, I actually want to work on the things we found. But most of all, I want to start living my life." She tightened her hold on him when she said the last part.
Jack's expression turned serious. "Does this mean I can pre-order that cake?"
Sam let out an unlady-like snort.
"Seriously, Carter. You gotta order these things months in advance. We haven't even discussed venues, let alone centerpieces…"
I'm ending this chapter on a happy note since it started so violently. What do you think so far of 'Samantha'? I'm writing her a bit differently from Canon as I explained to one of my reviewers (Hey Yol! *hehe*). A bit more sympathetic, but sociopathic at the same time. Let me know if I'm doing well so far.