Sam went home Sunday afternoon fully sated, and happy for the first time in forever. She spent the evening with her dad and daughter, then packed her things for the week. Her new job orientation would take her away from her dad and daughter for a week. She and her dad speculated on what the job would be, but neither of them in their wildest dreams could have imagined what the job really turned out to be. They were wrong on every speculative guess.
Sam's week was spent learning about the Stargate and the Stargate Program. The Stargate is a device that was able to create a stable wormhole to another Stargate situated lightyears away. A person or things could go into that wormhole, and an instant later, they would be transported to that different, distant location. Her brain almost could not comprehend what she was learning.
She learned that the galaxy is not all filled with nice people. She learned of the Goa'uld, a sentient race of snake-like symbiotes who control their host bodies. She learned about the System Lords, types of spaceships, Jaffa, weapons, and the dangers the System Lords pose.
She learned of the Tok'ra, also the same snake-like creatures, but they live in symbiosis with their hosts and allow their hosts freedom. She learned of the Tollan, Nox, and Edorans. She learned of a very talented astrophysicist, and leading expert in Stargate technology named Meredith McKay. He prefers to go by his middle name, Rodney.
She learned that Jack and Daniel were part of the first and second missions to Abydos. They were key personnel in the current Stargate program. Daniel was the one who figured out the dialing symbols. She knew then that Jack knew exactly what Sam was going through during her interview. She smiled knowing he was part of why she was here.
Janet and General Hammond were part of the program, too. She also went through routine things like get her ID badges, file tax forms, register her car, and provide emergency contact information for her official record. In the middle of the first day, she and a group of others were sworn in together. Sam was now officially a Department of Defense Civil Servant with the US Air Force.
...
By the time Friday afternoon came, she felt her brain was in a whole different world. In many respects, it was. They taught her ways to discuss the job without even mentioning it. Sam's new cover story was that she would be in charge of researching organisms that are found on meteorites. She'd also study any new strain of bacteria that may pose danger to the human body. In reality, she'd be in charge of a new Xenobiology Department at Stargate Command.
Sam got home Friday in time for the tail end of Rebecca's dinner. She hugged her dad, and kissed her daughter's head. Sam offered to bathe Becks and get her ready for bed, then she came out to discuss with her dad what she could. Jacob was very tired. About an hour later, he decided to turn in for the night. Sam knows he's been getting very tired lately, and he probably needs a break.
After Becks was settled for the night, she called Jack. She could hardly contain herself, and wanted desperately to discuss the new job with him. But, she could not discuss it over the phone. She'd just have to wait for Monday. He told her the cast and the boot came off. He is stiff, and has a brace to wear on his wrist. But he told her he feels so much better with them off. He invited her and Becks over for lunch the next day. The guys would be over at some point, and probably even Janet. She accepted, of course. He said he had something to show her. She was really looking forward to her Saturday now.
…
Saturday morning, Sam got up early. She had a lot of anticipation for spending the afternoon with Jack. She packed a bag for herself, and for Becks, you know, just in case. She took a shower, and went to wake up Becks. She made them both breakfast, and got the coffee going.
Her dad slept in today. While not uncommon for him to sleep in, usually he liked to be up with Becks to make sure she ate. When she finally saw him, Sam checked his vitals, and everything seemed OK. He said maybe he has time now to relax knowing that Sam has a new job and a new man in her life. They both laughed at his comment. Sam had him sit at the table and got his breakfast ready. All three of them sat and talked and watched Becks eat. Jacob went back to bed.
Sam gave Becks a bath, then got her dressed in jeans, toddler UGGs, and a US Air Force sweatshirt that Jacob had bought for her. Jacob said now that mommy is now an Air Force civilian, Becks needed her own sweatshirt. He was really a great Pop Pop to Becks.
Sam wore jeans, short boots with a little heel, and a tight, dark purple turtleneck sweater. She let her hair down today. She even put on just a touch of makeup, which is something she hasn't done since she started med school. She felt sexy and powerful.
She checked on her dad before she left. He was still sleeping. She figured he may be coming down with something. She left him Jack's phone number on the kitchen counter, then loaded up the car, put Becks in her car seat, and off they went.
Sam pulled into Jack's drive around noon. She parked her car, then went to get Becks out of the car seat. Jack saw her pull up, and went outside to meet them. The moment Becks saw Jack, she fussed to be put down, and ran to him. He greeted her with a huge smile, then bent down to hug her and lift her with his right arm. She hugged Jack around the neck and said hi to him.
Sam watched the whole thing, and it made her heart very happy. She got the bags out of the car, then made her way to Jack. He was still holding Becks, and he leaned in to give Sam a small kiss. He welcomed her inside.
He noticed the bags and smiled.
"Dad's not feeling well, so I packed just in case," she said smiling at him.
"I like how you think. Let me take your things back. You two get settled."
Sam took Becks into the living room. She sat on the floor with her and was playing when Jack came back to the living room. He sat down on the couch and was watching Sam and Becks interact. Sam looked at him, and he looked like he wanted to say something. She looked at him waiting for him to speak.
"What?" she asked after a minute or so.
"I did something, and I hope that it is OK," he said nervously.
"I'm sure it will be fine. What's up?" she asked.
Just then, Daniel, Janet, and Teal'c showed up. They all knew about Sam's week, and they all immediately started in with the questions and talked about work.
Sam now saw Teal'c Jaffa tattoo and understood now why he always wore a hat and called himself Murray. She smiled at him, and they got to talking about his life on Chulak and about his juvenile symbiant. Apparently, Jack had Teal'c symbiant Junior.
Jack told the three to take their coats to the back. Jack went to the kitchen to get a beer. Daniel came right back out from the guest bedroom with a smile on his face.
"Jack," Daniel said, drawing out his name in almost two syllables.
"Daniel," Jack replied.
"What's going on back there?" he asked, grinning at his friend.
"SShh! I haven't shown her yet!" he whisper-yelled at Daniel.
He considered waiting to show her until everyone else left. He was nervous at how she might react. Deep down he knew this was probably OK, especially after their talks at the hockey rink on their first date. And with the way Daniel was smirking at him, he knew it would be OK. But still. It could still go tits-up and he'd crash and burn.
Jack and Daniel walked back into the living room. Jack held his hand to Sam and indicated for her to stand.
"C'mere. I want to show you something," Jack said to Sam. Everyone in the room looked at the two of them.
"I'll watch the young one," Teal'c offered. Sam smiled at Teal'c and thanked him.
Jack took Sam to the spare bedroom. He stopped her outside the door and took her hands in his.
"I hope this is OK, Sam. I just thought...well. Why don't I just show you."
Jack opened the door and had Sam step inside his guest room. He had rearranged the room to create space to put in a small child's bed and dresser. Jack had also bought new bedding for a little girl. The sheets and pillowcases were a light, powder blue. The comforter had the same powder blue tones, but had Disney Princesses on it. There was even a pull-up night rail that he installed just like the one at Sam's house. It kept the child from rolling out of the bed.
Sam stood there staring at the bed in the room. She felt Jack put his palm on her lower back, and she released a breath she didn't realize she was holding.
"The, uh, bed and that dresser were Charlie's. I had forgotten I stored them in the attic. I never got rid of them. While you were at Peterson, I painted them and got a new mattress and pillows. And the princess comforter. I hope this is OK," he said.
Sam put her hand to her heart and turned around to face Jack. His kindness overwhelmed her. Her eyes were filling up with tears. She put her other hand on his chest. She looked into his eyes and she could tell he was nervous. She smiled and then her tears fell over onto her cheeks.
"This is more than OK. Thank you," she said quietly. "How are you about all of it?" She moved her hands to his waist and waited for his answer.
He smiled and kissed her. He hugged her tight to him. He talked softly in her ear.
"I wouldn't have done this if I wasn't OK with it. He will always be a part of my life. This way, I can still share him with others."
"Jack," she whispered.
She pulled back and looked at him. Really looked at him. His brown eyes were gentle, but vulnerable. She knew it was hard for him to share details about his son. But he did share Charlie with her. Sam watches how he is with Rebecca. She knows Becks adores him. He has accepted her and Rebecca into his life. That he would share pieces of his son with them went beyond anything she could have imagined with their relationship. The look in his eye told her all she needed to know.
He remembered waking up after his accident to find that she was the surgeon that fixed him. He realized that the same gentle hands that touched and caressed his body on the outside, also touched and repaired his insides.
He remembered the first time he saw her. He was so doped up on pain meds he could barely keep his eyes open. And yet, he saw her. Laying on the table in her office getting his stitches out was the single most erotic thing he'd experienced with a woman. He is glad he no longer has the self control of a teenage boy, or she'd have noticed just how much he wanted her.
"I love you. I've loved you since you took my stitches out." He smiled and tucked her hair behind one of her ears. "I love your daughter. I love your dad. I love everything about you, Sam."
He kissed her deeply. She felt him press into her. His lips were gentle, warm, and soft. He kissed the tears on her cheeks. Then they heard tiny footsteps running towards them.
"Mommy! Jack! Look!" and she held up a potato chip that apparently someone gave to her. She had a huge smile on her face, then ate the chip. She was very proud of the potato chip.
Sam and Jack both laughed at Rebecca and then showed her the new bed and dresser that Jack had made for her. After a little while, the three of them joined the others in the living room.
"How is your dad, Sam?" Janet asked.
"He's a bit under the weather, so he stayed at home. How are you guys?" Sam asked.
They all had a great time talking and catching up on the past week. They were able to speak freely now in Jack's home about work. Sam had a ton of questions, and they were all happy to tell her what they knew.
Jack had ordered Chinese and pizza for everyone, not knowing which they'd be in the mood for. He went to the door to pay, and then laid the food out in his dining room. He told everyone that the food was here, and they could get plates and things from the kitchen. They knew where everything was located.
He took a piece of cheese pizza and cut it into toddler-sized bites. He got himself some of the beef and broccoli over sticky rice, then went to the living room and found Becks on the floor talking up to a seated Teal'c.
Jack less-than-gracefully lowered himself to the floor. He winced as his foot was still a bit stiff, and it hurt a little to sit down to the floor. He sat with his left leg straight out, and his right bent up in front of him. He sat with his back against the glass floor-to-ceiling windows in his living room. He put the plate with pizza in front of him.
He called Becks over to him as he showed her the pizza. She smiled and ran right to him. She sat in front of him in front of the plate. She picked up a piece and held it up to Jack, questioning if it was for her. He assured her that it was, and she ate the first piece. Jack picked up his plate and started eating.
Sam was sitting on the couch with Janet. Both ladies were watching how Jack interacts with Becks. They watched as the child tried to get Jack to eat a piece of the pizza, and how Jack tried to get Becks to eat a small piece of beef. Janet noticed how Sam couldn't take her eyes off of Jack and her daughter.
"He really loves you, Sam. He talks to Daniel and Teal'c about you at work all the time. None of us have ever seen him like this before."
"He just told me he loved me in the back," Sam said quietly, with a huge smile on her face. "Did you see what he did for Rebecca?"
"No, I haven't been back yet."
"Janet, he repainted his son's bedroom furniture and put it in his guest room for Becks."
Janet's eyes went large, and immediately looked at Daniel. Daniel smiled at her before she looked over on the floor at Jack and Becks. Jack was still entertaining the little girl and trying to get her to eat her pizza. Jack's attention was solely on Becks. Janet and Sam both took a moment to just stare at them both on the floor.
Jack must have felt eyes on him. He tipped his head up to meet Sam and Janet's eyes. He smiled, but then trained his eyes fully on Sam. His face softened under Sam's gaze. His eyes were strong and loving at the same time. He moved his mouth as if to speak a million things at once, but he kept silent.
Sam's eyes softened with understanding. Sam looked between Jack sitting against the window, and to her daughter who was seated in front of him. Her daughter was comfortable with him. Becks trusted him, and Sam trusted Jack with her daughter. She let her eyes move and stay on Jack.
She felt like they were the only two people in the room. She wanted to melt into his eyes and stay there. A peace settled over her, and she smiled at him. And with a clarity she had not felt since her husband died, Sam knew. The words came tumbling out before she could stop them.
"I love you," she said, looking directly at Jack. "I don't care who hears me, or who knows. I love you, Jack O'Neill."
Janet watched as Sam and Jack just stared at each other for a few moments. She saw the flash in Jack's eyes when Sam told him that she loved him. Janet got up off the couch next to Sam, and went over to pick up Becks from the floor. Janet helped Jack up off of the floor, and he walked slowly over to Sam.
Sam stood up as he got to her. He took her into a tight embrace and held her for a minute or so. He whispered in her ear.
"I don't care either. I love you, Sam."
He pulled out of the embrace and gave her a light, tender kiss. He smiled at her as Becks begged to be put down and ran over to Jack and hugged his leg. Sam knew that no matter what happened now, her life would be OK.
…
Sam's first week in the SGC was a bit crazy. She was shown to her laboratory. Her own lab. She had a staff of three other people, all PhD's of some sort, but no other MD. She got a crash course in Goa'uld biology, including the toxins they secrete when they die inside a host body. She did not get to go down below Level 25 yet. She did not have a need to know about Stargate Operations, even though she is cleared for off-world travel. That may come in time.
Christmas was just over a week away now. Jacob told Sam that he had been feeling a little better during the week, and had more energy. He thinks he just had the flu or some other cold of sorts. He was cold all the time, but it was winter in Colorado, so cold was sort of normal.
Jack came to Sam's this weekend. Sam decided it would be good for Becks to spend more time with Jack at her place. Jack had no objections to that, and ended up taking Becks across the street to the park to play in the snow with her by himself a few times. Sam and Jacob would watch them from her front window, which now also had an artificial Christmas tree in it. She sat with her dad and they both drank a cup of coffee.
"Sam, are you happy?" Jacob asked.
Sam turned her head from watching out the window to watching her dad.
"Dad, why? What's going on?" she asked.
"It's a simple question, Sam. Are you happy?"
"Ya, I think for the first time in a long time, I am happy. I really am."
"Is he good to you? Is he kind? Is he gentle with you?" Jacob asked, referring to Jack.
"Dad, what's wrong?" she asked.
"Answer me, please, Sam." She looked at him and was getting nervous about where the conversation was going.
"Yes, he is wonderful to me, and to Becks. He is kind, considerate, and I trust him."
She stared at him waiting for him to tell her the truth. He looked at her with so much love. She was his only daughter. And while she didn't follow in his steps as an active duty Air Force officer, she now held an Air Force Civilian position equivalent to a Colonel. So he was very proud of her.
"Sammie, I went to the doctor this week. I was feeling better, but, two days ago I passed out making Becks' lunch. Couldn't have been more than a few seconds, but it was enough that it scared me."
He stopped and paused, and looked outside again at Jack playing with his granddaughter.
"If you trust him, then I trust your judgment. I do like him, Sam."
"Dad," she pleaded.
"I have lymphoma, kiddo. It's pretty advanced. They don't know how much time I have left."
She looked at him with wide, surprised eyes that quickly filled up and overflowed with tears. She grabbed his hand and squeezed.
"Dad, you can't leave me. Things just got better for me. You can't go."
"I am not really sure I have a choice in that matter. I'm OK, Sam. I know you and Becks will be OK. It's all I need right now. As long as you are happy and taken care of, I can go."
"No. There has to be something we can do. Drugs have gotten better. They have to be able to do something," she jumped up and began pacing. Her mind never stopped thinking in situations like this. She was always searching something in her brain when it came to medical things and biology.
Jacob sat in the window and watched as Jack held Rebecca and walked back across the street to come back inside. Rebecca waved at Jacob in the window, and Jack gave him a smile when he saw him wave at Becks.
Jack walked in to find Sam pacing and crying. Jack took off Becks' winter coat and outerwear, and she ran to Jacob. Jack removed his boots and walked to Sam. She looked at Jack, then fell apart. He held her as she sobbed. When she quieted, he spoke.
"What's going on?" he asked quietly.
She slowly brought her eyes to his. They were swollen with tears, her cheeks were flush, and her breath still came in hiccoughs.
"Dad has lymphoma," she whispered in a shaken voice.
Jack glanced at Jacob who was still holding Becks in the window. Jack hugged Sam tight to him. He moved her a little further away from Jacob and towards the kitchen, but never letting her go.
"The Tok'ra, Sam. The Tok'ra can help him," Jack whispered in her ear.