[AN: So this chapter was gonna be fluffy. Then I said something stupid to someone that I am pretty sure offended them. So now I'm mad at myself. So it's gonna be angsty.]
[MN: She never listens to me or there wouldn't be a problem here.]
Disclaimer: Still not mine.
Beta: Nope.
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Jack leaned his head back against the cold metal wall of the elevator. He'd drug himself out of bed after 4 hours of sleep so he could finish his mission report as well as the pile of paperwork backed up to his desk before the end of the day. He'd been done at exactly 1700 hours and went to go looking for Sam. He'd wanted to make sure she was okay after the amount of pain she'd been in the night before. And he felt an aching need just to see her.
The completion of the paperwork had been his undoing. He'd stopped by to drop it on Hammond's desk. The other man had proceeded to flip through the reports in his presence, asking question after question. By the time he'd managed to escape it was nearly 1800. He'd scoured the base for Sam, searched everywhere he could think she might be, but to no avail. He finally concluded that she must have left and decided to do the same himself.
Jack exited the elevator and headed out of the base to his truck. He stopped with his hand on the door handle. There, two spots down, was Sam's silver Volvo. He dropped his keys back in his pocket and walked back to the entrance to the mountain facility, approaching the young SF posted there.
"How long have you been on duty?"
The Airman was obviously confused. "Since 1500 sir. Except for when I was relieved for 15 minutes at 1700."
"Has Major Carter come out?"
The young man nodded his head. "Yes, sir."
Jack started to turn away, but spun back as the guard spoke again.
"But she didn't leave, sir. She headed around to the hiking path. About 10 minutes ago."
Jack nodded curtly and turned to leave then turned back. "Thank you, Airman." He strode back out and rounded the entrance to the mountain.
He knew the path well, utilizing it frequently when he had a bought of insomnia. He started up the shallow incline. Halfway up the path, he abruptly turned off into the trees on a much less used trail. When he emerged from the trees he smiled. There was Sam, perched on a fallen tree, looking out over the terrain below. This little lookout was private. At one time it had been simply his. Then, somehow, she'd managed to find him there one night and it became theirs.
Jack quietly walked up, hopping over the trunk, feeling his knee protest on impact. He ignored the pain and sat next to her, forcing himself not to stare at her. He just sat in silence for a few minutes before he spoke. "Why are you up here instead of at home?"
Sam kept staring straight ahead, not focusing on anything in particular. "We met with the lawyer today."
Jack sighed. "How bad is it?"
"You were right. They were watching my place last week. You're officially being subpoenaed." Sam took a deep breath. She refused to cry, if for no other reason that her ribs were still aching from the night before
Jack reached over and covered her hand with his, squeezing it gently. "Then I'm being subpoenaed. I'll tell them what I need to tell them."
Despite her resolve, tears stung at her eyes. "I can't ask you to commit perjury. You can't lie."
Jack finally turned to face her. "I don't have to lie. There's nothing go on between us, right? That's what we decided. We're not in a relationship, we're not sleeping together, and nothing inappropriate happened last week." Saying the words out made him feel like he was being stabbed through the heart, but he forced a half smile to his face anyway.
Sam's eyes met his and she could see that saying it had hurt him as much as hearing it had her. But he was right. She made herself mirror his smile. "Right."
Jack held her stare for a moment then stood. "Well, you better get home."
Wordlessly, Sam rose from the trunk. They walked through the trees then down the path in silence. As they approached their cars, Jack paused and she stopped beside him. "Goodnight then."
Jack nodded. "Night. Carter." Before he could say anything else that he might regret, he strode over to his truck and climbed in. He wasted no time in cranking the engine and pulling out and was in motion before she'd even made it to her car.
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Dave shook his head as his watched his best friend from the other end of the couch. She'd been quiet all night. Even her conversations with his children had seemed forced. The kids had no idea, they were just happy to have her there. And she'd gone through all of the motions, but her heart just hadn't been in it. She looked crushed. And it was his fault. He should have shot down this plan when she'd first come up with it. Now, it was too late to turn back. He'd caused his best friend to break her own heart. The light shimmered off of a single tear sliding slowly down her face. "Sammy?"
Sam sniffed and wiped her cheek. "I'm fine Davey. It was just a long day yesterday and I'm tired."
He slid over next to her. "You don't cry from being tired, Sammy. God, this whole thing was such a mistake. How could I have ever thought this was a good idea?"
She slid her hand into his. "This was my idea, remember? And it was the only idea. The only way to keep Shorty and Em. I don't want to lose them either you know."
Dave stood and began pacing his living room like a caged animal. "I know. But, it's not fair. To you. You spend your entire life worrying about other people. But it never seems to be your turn. And this time it's because of me." She tried to speak but he raised his hand to stop her. "I know it's not my fault, but it's still because of me. And right now, I'm so fucking angry. I'm angry at Annie's parents. And I'm angry at myself every time I see the pain on your face. And I'm angry at you for letting yourself be hurt again. And I'm angry at Annie for leaving me…"
Sam grabbed his hand and pulled him back down to the couch next to her as he dissolved into gut wrenching sobs. She pulled him into a tight hug and finally lost her own battle against her emotions. Together they cried.
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[AN: Short, but hopefully angsty enough to help calm me down.]