Monday morning came, SG-1 and SG-11 were sitting in the briefing room. Jack had finally read the mission report and calls the meeting because he hadn't been paying attention on Friday.
"It isn't like us to head one of these missions, General," Jack stated.
"Well considering, that this is a planet from the Gou'ald list and there is naqudah here 5 times higher than any planet, that's while you're going. Although there doesn't seem to be any signs of intelligent life, you know as well as I that anything could happen at any time." General Hammond explained.
"Right," Jack stated.
"Well, if that's all, you have a go tomorrow at 1300, dismissed." General Hammond stated.
Jack seemed to be sour still.
"What you don't think you'll get any action?" Sam asked daringly after everyone else had left.
The words coming from Sam's lips turned Jack O'Neill's face blood red.
He eyed her and saw her slightly dilated pupils.
They had been so good about keeping their private lives out of work, but those words were almost too much for Jack to handle.
Sam smiled when Jack didn't reply. She giggled as she walked out the door.
Jack stood there for a good two minutes more, having thoughts he really shouldn't be having. He was suddenly overjoyed to go with SG-11 to a planet that had no known aliens on it.
Jack started whistling as he went back to his office to sign paperwork.
Daniel went straight to Sam's lab.
"Daniel, you have something for me?" Sam asked.
"Uh, no, but I didn't hear from you or Jack over the weekend, so I take it everything went well?" Daniel asked.
Sam tried to hide her blush but failed.
"More than okay." Sam smiled.
"Okay, well, then I just have to ask, do you think missions together are going to be a problem?" Daniel asked.
"Of course not, I mean it's not any different. The feelings were always there," Sam claimed.
"I know that the whole base knows that, but Sam, can you honestly tell me you're not going to put him first?" Daniel asked.
"That's not fair, Daniel, do you know how many times I made the call that would most likely kill him?" Sam asked.
"Sam, I know that I am not saying that for the greater good, you wouldn't make sacrifices," Daniel claimed.
"Then what are you saying?" Sam asked.
"All I am saying is that your relationship has changed," Daniel claimed.
Sam sighed, "Yeah, Daniel, I know, and it's going to be difficult, but I think we're still going to be the best out there together, not apart. I hope I can prove that to you." Sam claimed.
"You have nothing to prove, Sam, I just don't think you know how much more it's going to hurt if you have to make a tough choice," Daniel claimed.
Sam knew Daniel was telling the truth.
"I appreciate Daniel, only time will tell," Sam claimed.
Daniel shook his head and took it as his cue to leave her to her work.
Teal'c had walked into Jack's office, asking if he would be willing to help with some sparing with the new trainees. Jack had hesitantly agreed to know Teal'c would never purposely hurt him, but Teal'c had bruised him pretty bad a time to two at these training.
Jack couldn't remember the last time he had worked with Teal'c. It had to be at least over a year ago, and he wasn't quite sure why Teal'c was asking now, but he would do it. Besides, he would be able to take a look at the recruits. Most of them weren't straight out of basic most of the men and women that come to the base have proven themselves for years out on the battlefield. The younger kids that came through were there because of intelligence, not experience.
When Jack had made it to the training room, he was genuinely impressed with the amount of training they already had. There was one guy that actually gave Teal'c a surprise. Teal'c was quicker, though, and was able to avoid the attack, but it was good, and Jack had to remember that for future combat.
Jack had to admit he was sore, as Teal'c had used him multiple times to show an example, but he felt pretty good despite it. The training seemed to go by quickly, and Jack was ready for a break. Maybe it would be nice for a break in the action of the world, he thought.
Jack knew he shouldn't, but he hadn't seen Sam since this morning, and although he knew for a fact that she was doing a lot more critical work than he was, he wanted to see her. So before a shower, he swung by her office.
Sam had heard the knock, knowing it was him, and although she desperately wanted to see him, now wasn't the greatest time. She was right in the middle of analyzing a crystal one that Teal'c nor the Tokra had seen before. She powered down the machine in the room and went to the door.
She couldn't help but smile at his grin.
"Hey, did you need something, Colonel?" Sam asked.
"Need, not so much, but I wanted to see you," Jack admitted.
Sam smiled.
"I'm currently studying a crystal," Sam claimed.
"Hmm, I take that it's kinda important?" Jack asked.
"Kinda," Sam claimed.
"Well, then, I'll leave you to it," Jack stated and walked away.
Sam grabbed his shoulder to stop him.
"I'll be about 2 more hours, come see me after that," Sam claimed.
Jack nodded and headed for a shower.
Cassie was sitting at the table doing homework. She was annoyed by it, she had an opinion piece, but she knew if she wrote how she felt, she'd get in trouble. They were still reading "A Separate Peace," and although the book is somewhat enjoyable, the teacher felt that there were right opinions. So she was trying hard to get in the mindset of a 50 something-year-old teacher who had taught this book for the last 20 years to see if that would help her, but it didn't. She had gone through 6 pieces of paper before she just decided to take the lower grade and write her valid opinion after all.
Cassie couldn't wait for the week to be over. Sam and Jack had a mission but was due back Thursday, and baring issues she was spending the night with her dad. Dad was such a great word to her. She was glad that her mom was so at ease with the situation. She found out long ago that Janet was enough, and having a mom was enough, but having a dad was something she wanted. When her biological parents died, she never thought she would have another mom or dad. Sure, when Jack, Sam, Daniel, and Teal'c walked her through the gate, she knew that someone would be taking care of her, but at the time, she felt like it would be a long term babysitter, not parents. She knew her mom and dad would be happy knowing she was safe and being cared for.
Cassie sometimes wondered what it would be like back on her home planet. She already had known of Earth and the Stargate in the months of SG-1 coming. The people had been friendly to her and her family. Cassie hoped she would have still met SG-1 when they came to visit. She couldn't imagine not having them in her life.
She kept thinking about her assignment and life and her family as she wrote, knowing that no matter what grade she got, her mom wouldn't fault her, and she continued on. After 2 pages, she was finally done and satisfied with what she wrote. She then moved on to something much more manageable, biology class.
Janet had talked to Sam Saturday and a phone call Sunday evening. She was excited for her best friend and Jack. Janet wished she could find someone to enjoy her life with. Being a single parent working in a mountain all of the time had its disadvantages in the dating world. Her nurses knew it just as well, and Janet didn't believe any of her single colleagues have had any relationships to speak of. Janet knew that her best bet would be meeting someone in the mountain, although she had already told herself 1000 times she would never date a co-worker. She knew that Sam had the same guidelines, but here she was with her former head of the command, and although it was a very new romantic relationship, Janet couldn't imagine Sam or Jack with anyone else. She knew she really shouldn't be thinking about personal matters as she read through everyone's labs, but for the first time in a long time, no one in the SGC has abnormal labs, and even though it's good news, Janet has to wonder if it's the calm before the storm.
Sam and Michelle are talking about the mission and the theorizing about the plant life on the planet being so different and if the Naqudah readings have anything to do with it. Michelle and Sam were going over all kinds of other things. The crystal analysis was way over her head and would need a lot more tests run, tests she wouldn't be able to do while she was in the field, so she passed it on to some other scientists to take a look and progress while she was leading SG-11. She still couldn't quite grasp that she was leading her own SG team. It wasn't hard, and Daniel and Michelle were both smart and easy to get along with.
Sam was still trying to let her in. She and Michelle had some interactions before being on the team, but this was different, the couple missions they have gone on were to established planets, and they were day trips. This was the first time they were going through the gate to explore a new one. Sam knew that Michelle had been through the gate quite regularly with other teams, but she hadn't seen her out, when the going get tough, she hoped this mission wouldn't be the one, but Sam wasn't sure if she could trust Michelle with her life or not and that was what made her the most nervous about going.
"So, I think we're ready for tomorrow's fist sign those plants are toxic, or threatening in any way, let us know even if you have a hunch," Sam stated.
"Understood, Major," Michelle stated.
"And when it's just us, it's Sam." Sam smiled.
Michelle nodded.
Jack knocked at the door.
"Come in," Sam stated.
Jack walked through, surprised to see Sam not only done but talking to Michelle.
"So, you figure out your crystal, Carter?" Jack asked.
"No, not really. I handed it off for further study while we're out." Sam stated.
"Wow, handing something off, I'm impressed," Jack stated.
Sam smiled.
"Well, I do know how to delegate," Sam claimed.
"I know that," Jack stated.
Jack looked over at Michelle before a scheme came to mind.
"How about a team night, SG-1, SG-11, my place?" Jack asked.
Sam smiled.
"You okay with that, Michelle?" Sam asked.
"Team night?" Michelle questioned.
"Usually involves, pizza or steak or ice-cream, lots of beer and a movie one of us has never seen," Jack stated.
Michelle smiled, "Yeah, that sounds good." Michelle nodded.
"Alright, well, you tell Danny and tell I'll see if Robert can join. Meet me at my place at 6pm." Jack stated.
"I'll see you later, sir," Sam stated.
Sam smiled brightly and closed the door slowly.
Michelle giggled.
"I wish my husband still gave me that look," Michelle stated.
Sam looked at her for a second not wanting ot have this conversation and turned the tables.
"Michelle! How did I not know you were married, Holy Hannah, you didn't have to say yes for the team meeting." Sam stated.
"It's okay. He's a doctor. He's on-call for the next 3 nights." Michelle claimed.
Sam nodded her head.
"So, you'll have to tell us all about him." Sam smiled.
Michelle agreed, and the two went back to work for the rest of the day.
Sam arrived at Jack's house at 5:40pm.
She was in a t-shirt and sweatpants, knowing how this was going to end up. Feeling sorry for Michelle in Robert, who may or may be in for a rude awakening.
"Hey," Sam stated and melted into Jack, hugging him, longing for his touch all day.
He held her in his arms for a few minutes before he started kissing her lips.
"Sorry, we don't have time for anymore," Jack stated.
"No, this team night was a good idea, unless it leaves Michelle and Robert to ask to switch teams," Sam claimed.
"We're not that bad," Jack claimed.
Sam eyed him.
"Maybe we should cancel, just in case," Jack stated.
Sam playfully slapped him on the arm.
"Ow, Sam, you can't hit the old guy."
Sam swatted at him again.
"I'm thinking Pizza from Anthony's," Jack stated.
"That sounds perfect," Sam claimed.
It was 5:50 when the doorbell rang again this time, Daniel and Teal'c came through the door, followed by Michelle at 5:55 and Robert at 5:58pm.
The pizza was ordered by 6:15, and Daniel had popped in Deep Impact. Sam made mention though not all the movies were space-related, it seemed to be a theme.
Sam had chosen to sit with Michelle and Daniel on Jacks's couch. While Teal'c sat in the armchair, and Robert and Jack sat on the love seat, but when the movie was over, and Sam stood up. Everyone moved around for a drink or to go to the bathroom. Sam re-seated herself next to Jack.
She was leaning into him, but neither wrapped their arms around each other. They smiled at each other before Daniel had decided that they all play poker together. Jack got out the cards and the chips and divided them up.
"We'll go easy and play for fun this time," Jack announced. They went into the dining room and sat around the kitchen table, Jack finding random chairs around the house for all 6 of them to sit in. Sam made a choice to sit beside Jack and not across from him because he read her so quickly. The group of 6 play for 2 hours before Robert had won the game.
"So when we plan a Vegas trip, Roberts with me," Jack announced.
"We're you counting the cards?" Sam asked.
Robert looked at Sam for a second.
"Not this time," Robert admitted.
Sam smiled.
"You two would kill it," Jack stated.
"Well, I sort of can't go back to a few of the places," Sam stated.
Daniel looked at her, and Robert snorted and laughed.
"Good thing they keep tearing them down and building new ones, I've been formally kicked out of every casino in downtown, and slowly working my way down the strip," Robert admitted.
"How much?" Jack asked Sam.
"Well, I mean, I am on motorcycle number 4, and the house is paid off, and that Volvo it takes some upkeep," Sam stated.
Robert smiled.
Jack whistled, "Definitely a trip to Vegas." Jack claimed.
They all laughed and helped Jack clean up.
They had all been drinking, and Sam was a little more loose-lipped than usual.
"So, Michelle, tell us all about your husband, who's also a doctor," Sam claimed.
Michelle smiled.
"Jimmy and I are high school sweethearts," Michelle claimed.
"He was 14, and I was 15. My mom thought I was crazy when Jimmy asked me to marry him during our senior year in high school, and I said yes. She was scared to death that I was going to pop out a baby before I went to college. We're both from Inger, Minnesota, it wasn't unheard of for two seniors to be married with a baby on the way before graduation. We both went to the University of Minnesota. I started out as an Engineering major but ended up getting a dual biology degree. Then went on to get my masters and doctorate while he went through med school. I think by the time I turned 22, my mom was pushing me to the alter." Michelle smiled.
"Minnesota, huh, Jack has a cabin up there," Sam stated.
"Me and Jimmy go back time to time our parents still live there, but when I got this position and told Jimmy, we decided to move down here." Michelle smiled.
"So how did you get on board with the program?" Sam asked.
"Well, it was just one of those things, I've always been into different sciences, and I had a friend studying astronomy, and they were highly into Dr. Jackson's work actually," Michelle claimed.
"ME?" Daniel asked.
"Don't look so surprised your book was widely sold," Michelle stated.
"I know, but I became the laughing stock," Daniel claimed.
"But you were right, and there are still some admirers. Dr. Delenay could understand where you coming from with all of it. He assumed that you would take a major blow. He had figured out some mathematics that was in your favor, and guess someone had contacted him about some journal articles and essays he was writing. He became involved early on, and was asked if he worked closely with anyone, and mentioned my name, knowing that I would be willing and interested." Michelle explained.
"I know Dr. Delenay, we worked in the pentagon together." Sam claimed.
"Small world," Michelle stated.
The group of six continued to talk about there ways into the Stargate program and various other missions, all while drinking beer. By the time it was 11pm, all but Teal'c were in fits of giggles talking about multiple assignments, pranks, and briefings. No one could drive home, and they were all to be in the SGC at 0800.
Jack looked in the fridge for another beer and realized they had gone through the case he had bought earlier.
"Alright, time to call it quits, we're out," Jack stated.
Teal'c had offered to take everyone home, but Sam stayed behind. Robert raised his eyebrows but didn't say anything.
"Be careful, Teal'c, we'll see you in the morning.
Sam looked at the clock. It was 12:30am.
"You coming to bed?" Jack asked.
"Yeah," Sam smiled.
As soon as her head hit the pillow, Sam was out, and Jack smiled, happy that she was finally his.