Cliff Simon Factoid: In 2020, Cliff narrated a documentary called Land of the Free: Animal Trafficking Redefined.
SCHRODINGER 1
SAM
I've been here almost six months now. Only two weeks to go and I return to Earth.
I feel I've accomplished a lot here. The mining has been slow, but it's getting done. Ship designers on Earth have been working on developing a design for a mining ship. We just need to get the naquadah from the moon back down to the Stargate for now.
Earth's first interstellar ship, the Prometheus, will launch soon. I helped design the ship. It is not designed for mining, but rather for defense and exploration. I had the idea that if we could get a similar ship like the Prometheus on Schrodinger, we could extend its shields around multiple mining cars and drag them back to the Stargate to push through to Earth. But, that would still mean taking up the time and resources of the Stargate on Earth.
My other suggestion is to build a mining vessel that could be filled with the naquadah rock and travel between the moon and Earth. I think sustainability for that is much wiser than ferrying the rock between the moon and Schrodinger. But this will all take time.
The science reports from Schrodinger have been fun to read. We know how to turn the storm on and off. I see no reason why we'd ever want it turned on again. Dr. Lee and his team are working on a way to remove that logic from the control dias in the throne room.
The science teams have discovered a device that had a lot of Gate addresses in it. They have been using a computer to plot the addresses. That report should have been on my desk last week, but Francis said she needed more time. Jack told me about Francis. I think she is a very brilliant scientist. I guess she and Ferretti have a thing going. And she knows I'm married to Colonel O'Neill. I haven't had any problems with her.
I didn't understand what it was like for military moms to go on deployments with kids at home until I came here alone. It was incredibly hard when I first got here. It still is hard. I cry a little when I lay down to sleep most nights. Being out here is not like being deployed on Earth. At least being on Earth we have some creature comforts like email and the occasional phone call.
Out here, I have nothing except the data bursts when we call back through the Stargate. I do get to talk to General Hammond, and sometimes I get to speak to my husband. But it's always about work. We have not had any real private talk except in our data bursts. My data packs consist of messages from Jack and others, and he always includes pictures of Jacob.
I miss my son. Jack has sent me some amazing pictures of Jacob. He's also sent some adorable pictures of him with Jacob together. Those two are my life and my love. I never thought I'd ever experience any of this.
Every time I write to Jack, I tell him how sorry I am that I am away. Every time I write I tell him to tell Jacob just how much mommy misses him. Jack is the only one I can share this with. I'm the boss here, and I feel that I can't afford to show emotion or weakness. So I keep it all inside until I have my time to write. I miss my boys very much right now. And it's almost time to go home.
It's late in the afternoon when Dr. Lee comes to bring me an updated report. His team found some sort of a box, or a trunk, with documents inside of it. The documents were preserved well, and are estimated to be between 400 and 600 years old. They could be older.
Dr. Lee drops a folder on my desk with a bunch of the papers in it. They are almost like the standard size paper we use on Earth, maybe just not as wide. They write left-to-right as we do. But it is all in a language I do not understand. But, I told him I'd look them over, so here I am. In my office, working through dinner.
Jack always came by my lab at the SGC when I worked late. Even before we acknowledged this thing between us. Even before I tripped and fell into bed with him. He was always making sure I was OK. And he continues to check on me to this day.
I almost put the papers back in the folder when my eye catches a word that I recognize. I am stopped in my tracks, and I stopped breathing. I knew I recognized this word, but it took me about a minute for it to register. I need to call Dr. Lee.
This base has set up a POTS system. Just a "plain old telephone system" with a central switch, and physical phone lines that run from this office to the lab and to medical. There are plans to expand the phone system in the future if we stay here long enough.
'Dr. Lee,' I hear on the other end of the phone.
"Bill, it's Sam. I have found something in the folder you gave to me. Have you eaten yet?" I ask.
'No, I haven't yet. Want me to grab something and bring you some? We can go over whatever it is in your office,' he says.
"Sure. Thank you. Bring anyone else who has been going over the papers you found. I need to schedule a time to dial back to the SGC about this. This is huge. I think. See you soon," I say.
We hang up and I wait for Bill and anyone else to arrive in my office.
JACK
She comes home in less than two weeks. We have missed her so much. Jacob is almost nine months old now. He is able to stand up by hanging on to the table. He is aware of so much around him. I see his eyes taking things in like he understands. I'm sure that comes from his mother.
His hair is brown, like mine. Well, like mine was. I'm more of a grey fox now. Old. Ragged. Falling apart. I have no idea what Carter ever saw in me. But this little guy that we have makes me feel young again. We miss mommy very much.
It's been hard without Carter around. I've had to rely on the nanny, Janet, Daniel, and some of the other men and women at the SGC to get me through the work week as I also take care of a baby. My heart goes out to all of the single parents out there. This isn't easy. But it's worth every insane moment.
Jacob has given me a few golden showers. He has had a fever and a tummy bug once each since mommy has been gone. I have taken him to all of his doctor appointments. He has fallen from trying to stand many times, and has hit his head once. But this is all part of growing up. I'm sure it won't be the end of him getting sick or hurt.
I'm standing around Daniel's office poking around things on his shelves when the phone rings. He picks it up and as he's listening, he turns to me. He nods his head and replies into the phone, "Yes, he is and we'll be right down."
He hangs up and turns back to me.
"That was the control room. We gotta go. Sam is calling and wants us all there."
My insides do a little flip-flop. It has been about thirteen days since I have seen or spoken to my wife. But who's counting? The last couple times she has called I've been home already. I walk quickly with Daniel, then we ride the elevator down to the control room.
We arrive into the room. Teal'c and Matta were already there. I can already hear the voice of my wife. I have missed her so much. But I need to snap out of the lonely spell and pay attention to her. She always knows when I'm not paying attention to her.
'...so that is when I called in Bill and his team to help go over all of the papers that we found,' I hear her say. I'm not close enough to see her video feed.
"Major Carter, Colonel O'Neill and Doctor Jackson have just joined us. Can you please repeat what you have discovered?" General Hammond asks.
'Yes, sir. Hi Daniel, hi Colonel,' she begins. We always still address each other professionally at work.
I scoot closer to the monitor and I see her smiling face. That smile lights up my life. I have missed that smile, and I have missed the person connected to that smile. Alright, enough, Pay attention!
Daniel elbows me in the side. I look at him.
"What?" I ask.
"She asked you how you and Jacob are doing," Daniel says, motioning his head to the screen. I think he has a smirk on his face.
"Oh, ya, I'm sorry. We are fine. Our son is fine. He's with Rebecca right now," I say quickly. She just smiles and averts her eyes. She knows I wasn't paying attention. Great. Rebecca is our nanny.
I feel strange talking in front of everyone about our private life, but this is the only shot I will get today. The data package has already been transmitted, I'm sure. So we chat here, or never.
"Good to hear. Thank you. Sir, we have discovered something remarkable here. Doctor Lee and his team found a chest full of old papers and documents here on the planet. They are in a different language, but when I was going through them, I found a few words that I recognized. Sirs, these papers are written in the same language as the Odeni," Carter said.
She paused as if to let the information catch up to us. I heard Daniel whisper a "wow" or something. I'm not following. I look at Hammond, and he has a little smile on his face, and he's not taking his eyes off of Carter on the screen.
'I have been able to identify the words Paratrol, Markham, Relark, and Platow. As you can imagine, I am very excited about this,' Carter says.
It took me a moment, but I think what Carter is saying is that the people who saved her on the Odeni planet were once living on Schrodinger. She still has a smile on her face.
"So, what do you think this means? Have you all come to any conclusions yet?" I ask.
We watch Carter look to her right, and nods as if she is looking at someone else in the room with her. We watch as Doctor Lee and Francis move into view behind Sam. She wanted them in view for whatever is coming next.
'Yes, sir. The team has come up with a theory. I was able to identify other Odeni words. Contained in the documents, as well as inscribed out on one of the monoliths, was a message of some sort. It has a Gate address on it. I had Francis run it through a coordinate program on one of the laptops. Colonel,' she said, and paused.
Carter was calling me out in front of everyone. Whatever she is about to say is something big, something important to both her and me.
'The coordinates correspond to the area of space where the Odeni planet is. The Odeni may have come from this planet, P39-4X2. They may have been the ones who ran from the storms all those years ago,' we hear her say.
We all take in this information. I let this settle in. My wife, who was lost because of the storms on Schrodinger, was saved by the people who came from Schrodinger. That is a lot to take in.
I am staring straight at her. She has no way to tell that I'm staring at her. She can only see me stare at the monitor. Her smile is smaller than it was. She looks as if she just solved a problem, but is tired. There's something else. Nervousness? Confusion?
"You OK?" I ask.
'It's a lot to take in, sir. If we're right, we need to go back. We need to find out what is hidden in the tunnels in the beneath. If this turns out to be true, we have discovered another huge archaeological and sociological finding.'
"She's right, George," Daniel says behind me. I turn to see Hammond nodding his head at Daniel.
I stare at Carter for a few moments. This would be huge. Usually the people of a planet know their history. They know how the Goa'uld got them there, or at least how the Goa'uld came to their planet. With the Odeni, Carter said that they didn't know how they got where they were. The Aschen are just a blip on their radar who had nothing to do with their origin. Daniel is going to love this.
'General, I want to go back,' she says quickly.
"Carter," I begin, then stop. I look everywhere but the monitor as every thought and feeling from the past year comes back to me.
She's already been gone for six months. More time apart. I knew this day would come. We can't avoid it. Her career is going to take her very far. And this would be related to her new position. Maybe it's time for me to hang up the hat and be a stay at home dad.
'I want to request Colonel O'Neill come with me. And Jacob,' and she lets the conversation stop there.
This could be a good idea. Yes, I was a dick to her and I was a dick to them. Maybe now I have a chance to make it alright. All of SG-1 could go. Daniel would love it. Matta and Ceti would have a field day. And T, he can teach them about the Goa'uld.
"I will take that under advisement," Hammond said, "I am not sure how to get Jacob have had kids from off-world here on Earth before. I guess if you take the Tel'tak, it may not be too hard. Let me see what I can do."
"I'm going to have the guys here run that address and try to connect," I tell Carter.
'I don't think it will work, sir. As I said in my report, they have no recollection of ever even seeing a Stargate on their planet. But, I would try anyway,' she says. I smile at her.
"Will do. So. Carter," I begin to say.
Then I lose my thoughts when she looks at the screen. We end up staring at each other for what feels like forever. I watch her exhale and let out a small laugh. She looks back into the camera. There is so much I want to say to her.
'I will see you all soon,' she says quietly.
I just nod my head as I stare at her.
'Don't forget to read your data pack. I put a picture of me in there for Jacob. We can put it in his baby book,' she says quickly, smiling.
Everyone in the room lets out a bunch of oohh's and aahh's. I smile and let out a little laugh. We have a great support system and wonderful family here at the SGC.
"You got it. Have a good night, Major."
'You too, Colonel.'
Everyone in the room says goodbye to Carter and her team.
I watch Walter put his hand on the control for the Stargate and shut it down. Now I have two weeks to wait before I can hold my wife again.
SAM
I knew he wouldn't be here when I stepped through the Gate. It is 9 PM, and he is home with Jacob. Still, I long for his voice. I long for his embrace. I long for his…
When I think about it, I have been gone from his life for over a year now. I was missing for almost 9 months. I was gone pretty much my entire pregnancy. Then I was back on Earth for just a few months before I came back to Schrodinger for six months.
We know being separated is part of the job. But it doesn't mean it will be easy. I didn't have anyone to think about or be accountable to when I was single. Going through the Stargate was a job and an adventure. And sometimes I'd get hurt, or sick. My family was my team. But at the end of the end of the day, I went home alone.
It's all changed now. My heart is pulled in so many directions. I love the job, and I love my boys. All of them. Daniel, Teal'c, Matta, and of course my husband and son. But I miss my husband and son the most. I've never felt this before. It's good to be home.
I get done with my exam and head straight home. I pull up to the house and get inside as quickly and as quietly as I can. I don't want to wake up Jacob. I kind of hope Jack is still up.
I step inside and the lights are on in the kitchen. I turn my head to the left and I see the flicker of light from the television. I smile and make my way down the steps into the living room. Jack is asleep on the couch with the remote in his hand.
I walk to him and take the remote out of his hand. That motion wakes him up. He looks up at me, and in what feels like a fraction of a second I am wrapped in his arms. I hear him grunt as he stands, and then I feel him exhale deeply into my hair. He lowers his lips to my neck.
"I've missed you," he whispers, and wraps me tighter in his embrace.
"I missed you, too. And Jacob," I whisper back.
There are times in life when sex is just sex. It is just the body's normal response to need and release. It might become repetitive over time, or fast, or one partner can't finish. As bodies change over time, it can become difficult, or sometimes painful. There are times when you just may not even want it.
Then there are the times where the heart feels like a new beginning. A time of rediscovery. A time to reconnect. Tonight I feel as if our hearts are reconnecting. I gaze up into his eyes and I see the same feelings coming from him that I feel inside of me. I need him. I need all of him.
There is no hesitation. He unwraps me like I am a fragile piece of blown glass being taken out of the box for the first time. His touch makes me tremble. He finds my lips every time he moves his mouth from one side of my body to the other.
I touch his skin in places I have not felt in months. I wrap my arms around him and let our skin caress and slide over each other. We let our hands go where they want to go, gentle, reverently.
I put my hands on his hips and slowly walk him back to the couch. He stops walking backwards. He steadies me with his warm, loving hands. He looks like he is deep in thought. I wait for him to speak.
"I don't have anything," I hear him say quietly.
"I'm OK if you're OK. There's no guarantee it will happen again," I reply.
"But if it does?" he asks.
"It would make me happy all over again," I say, taking his hands in mine. "And you?" I ask.
"You would make another one of my dreams come true." I smile at his reply.
I let go of his hands and gently put pressure on his chest to indicate I want him to sit. I straddle him, and he holds himself as I lower onto him. I sink down and lean into his body and I feel his lips on me.
I kiss him softly, like he is a precious gift. We move as one. His fingers trace fire and ice up and down my back. I feel his chest hair, and savor the small friction it creates against my skin. I take in every move, every sound, every touch from him. Our bodies sing.
I go first, and he holds my hip down with one hand as he gently massages the spot I need the most touch with the other. My mouth is open, and I can't help the noises coming out of me. I stare down into his darkened eyes. I am unafraid and I am unashamed as he watches me come apart on him.
A few moments later, I move again. I quicken myself for him. I feel his hands on my hips, and can feel upward thrusts from beneath me. I feel him sit up a little towards me, and his hands go under my arms and around my back as he holds me down on him by my shoulders.
He stops me from moving, and puts his mouth on my neck. I hear him grunt a most wonderful noise into my neck. I love it when he comes. I hold his head close to my body.
We are both still. He sits back again, and takes me with him. I'm laying on him, still straddled on him, with my head next to his. I give him small kisses on the side of his head.
I hold him with my arms around him as much as I can. I do not want this to end. I feel his hands caress my back and thighs. I kiss his cheek and swear I taste a droplet of salt water.
I start to sit up, but he holds me.
"Not yet," I hear a whisper in my ear.
"OK," I whisper back.
He holds me until he falls out of me. He reaches to his right and grabs a napkin he hadn't used for dinner. It's the best I'm going to get right now, so I place it strategically where I need it. He continues to hold me, our skin pressed together.
"I missed you," he said softly again.
"I'm home now," I whisper in his ear.
He gently pushes me up so he can look at me. He smiles, then kisses me.
"You are going to go far in your career," he says with piercing eyes. "I'm glad I get to be the one to share it with you."
I didn't know it was possible to love him any more than I already did. And somehow one look from him during one moment of total vulnerability found an empty spot in my heart that was waiting to be filled by him.
"I love you, too," I say quietly. I run my finger from his temple to his lips.
"What do you say we go take a shower, and then check on Jacob," he says.
"Or check on Jacob, then take a shower?" I say with a smile.
"Well, I just thought maybe you'd like to clean up? You know, after?" he says.
I giggle a little bit, then slowly start to get off of him. I reach my hand out to him and help him stand. We shower together, then go check on our son.
He is sleeping soundly. I watch him breathe for a few minutes, and I desperately want to pick him up and hold him close to me.
"Jack, he is perfect," I whisper.
"He really is. He will be happy to have mommy home."
"It's good to be home. Let's go to bed," I say.
We quietly say goodnight to our son, then Jack takes me to bed and holds me close to him all night long. I am home with my boys. I could not be happier.