CH 7
"Carter"
"Hi Sam"
"Mark, hi, how are you?"
"Good thanks, you?"
"Good, so what's up, how's the family?"
"They are good"
"So why are you calling, I know you want to ask me so spill it?"
"Sam what is going on with you, I have spoken to Pete, what happened?"
"Mark, Pete was a nice guy, but I wasn't in love with him"
"Are you in love with your CO?"
"Yes, I have been for eight year Mark"
"Does dad know about it?"
"Yes, he told me all he wanted was for me to be happy"
"I know that dad has meet Pete, he told me"
"Yeah it was at my birthday dinner, it was a surprise when dad showed up"
"I bet it was, so what happened, I thought everything was going great between you and Pete?"
"Mark, Pete just got divorce when you into introduce me to him"
"I know, that you two only known one another for few months"
"Yeah, I know, but all I wanted to do is follow my heart Mark, not my head"
"So what happened Sam?"
"Did Pete tell you what happened?"
"He said, that you two had a fight about why he wasn't invited to the party and you were at you CO house"
"First of all Mark, Pete told me that he couldn't make it to my birthday dinner, till half an hour before I was ready to leave, he called to say he could make it. When he showed up, he started an argument with Jack, asking him why he called dad, dad, and not Jacob and asking dad. Why he was letting Jack get away with it, I had to stop it"
"Sorry Sam I didn't know that, why did your CO call him dad and not Jacob?"
"Jack has always been like that, he calls dad, Jacob or dad. Dad doesn't mind otherwise he would have said something about it long time ago"
"I see, so dad likes him?"
"Jack, yes. Jack is a good man when you get to know him Mark and then you could see why dad likes him and I love him"
"So that is why you and Pete didn't break up?"
"No, I found out that night that Jack is the one who has been my secret admirer all these years. He even told me that he fell in love with me the day I walk in to the briefing room and challenge him to arm wrestling match in front of his friends and the top brass just to prove my self"
Sam could hear Mark laughing on the end of the phone.
"Sam you didn't"
"Yep, we didn't arm wrestle, but I have prove my self since then"
"I see"
"Mark one of the reasons, why I broke off with Pete is, that he reckons that I sleep my way to the top and that Jack and I have been having an affair"
"What? Pete said that?"
"Yes Mark, you can even ask dad, he was there. Both he and Jack heard Pete yelling at me, so Dad came to rescue me, but he knew that I can take care of myself"
"Why were you at your CO place that night?"
"Well Daniel was taking me home when he got a phone call, so he had to go to Jack place. I waited for him in the car while he went to pick up something. When he didn't return, I went into the house. The lights were out at the time. When they came on, I almost had a heart attack, when everyone yelled in surprise. Jack had it all set up, some of the personal and their families were there, throwing a surprise birthday party"
"Ah, so when he yelled at you?"
"It was later on, he called me, wondering where I was, he wasn't happy that he wasn't invited. He had to go around to Jack place to pay him the money he owe"
"What do you mean by that, what money?"
"Pete got a call while at the restaurant, so he left. When the rest of us left, the waiter that served us stop Jack, telling him that someone didn't pay for there dinner, it turned out to be Pete who didn't pay for it"
"Sam, I'm sorry, Pete didn't tell me any of this"
"Well you know now"
"Did he tell me that he found your dress and shoes in his bedroom?"
"What, he was snooping around Jack house, how dare he, as for the dress. Janet and Cassie left about fifteen minutes earlier from the restaurant to go to my place, they back my jeans, top, shoes and sweat top, and I got change in Jack bedroom"
"Ok, I understand, sorry about all this Sam"
"That's ok Mark, you weren't to know"
"I thought that you two would get on so well together"
"I know, it's the thought that counts, but there is something that he did behind my back, and I wasn't happy about"
"What did he do?"
"He did a background check on me when I couldn't tell him what I do and that my work is classified"
"He didn't, how did you know?"
"Well when someone who does a background check on any one who works is classified, has a warning on there file, just in case someone tries to access it. That's what happened to my file. He got a friend of his from the FBI to do it and he also followed my team and me on steak out. Luckily two members of another team saw him watching us and asked him to leave; he wouldn't and started asking questions. They had no choice to tranquillise him, so he wouldn't see what was going on"
"Was it a classified mission?"
"Yes"
"Ok, I better go Sam, thanks for telling me what happen, I'm sorry things didn't work out between you and Pete"
"That's ok Mark, you weren't to know what was going on"
"Sam, are you happy?" Sam laughs.
"Mark, you are so much like dad, and the answer is yes, I am happy. When I get a chance, I'll ask for few days off so I can come and visit you and the kids, then we can have a long talk"
"That sounds good to me. Any chance to meet Jack?"
"I'll see what I can do, but I better warn you Jack is twelve years older than me"
"So long as he can make you happy, that is all I care about"
"Thanks mark, he has a crazy sense of humour, when I'm down, he can cheer me up and he loves kids"
"Well that's good to hear, call me some time, I better go, bye Sam, take care of yourself"
"I will mark, bye, give the family a hug and a kiss from me?"
"Will do, bye" then the line went dead.
Sam looked at her watch, and didn't realize it was almost 1930 hours. She calls the Chinese place and orders the takeaways. Once they finished on the phone, she grabbed her jacket and purse then left her house and headed to pick up their dinner, then to Jack place.
When she arrived at his house, it was just after eight. She walked into the house with two bags in her hand.
"Jack I'm home" she called out after the door close
"I'll be right out Sam"
"Ok, I'll dish up our dinner, sorry I'm late"
Sam walked into his kitchen and got two plates out and started sorting out their meals. She just finished when she felt a pair of arms wrap around her waist, which made her smile.
"Mmm something smells good" Jack said, as he kisses Sam neck
"What, me or dinner?"
Sam turned around so she could wrap her arms around his neck and give him a passionate kiss.
"Both, hey is everything ok?"
"Yeah, Mark called me tonight and ask what was going on"
"What did you tell him?"
"I told him about what had happened at my birthday, everything. He understands and he would like to meet you some time"
"Ok, when?"
"Well I know SG1 is overdue for some R and R, and I know it has been a while since you last had some time off, so do you think you can get some time off at the same time?"
"Sure I'll see what I can do. So you want to go and visit your brother and you want me to tag along?"
"Yea, and if possible dad as well"
"Ok, I'll see what I can do tomorrow and get the ball rolling. Let's eat before it gets cold"
They both sat at the dining table and ate their dinner as well as planning for their wedding at the same time.
The next night the SGC personnel threw Hammond a retirement party. Bra'tac and Jacob show up for it on behalf of the rebel Jaffa and the tok'ra. Jack and Sam gave Jacob the good news about their engagement, he was happy for them both. The party was in full swing. Then it came to the speeches. Jack stood on a chair and he got everyone's attention.
"As you all know, I'm a man of few words. I have known George here for eight years now. When I first met him, he asked me if I ever thought about writing a book, I said that if anyone read it, I'll have to shoot them. He looked at me strangely, I said, that it was a joke cause you all know that most of my work is classified. That is how I first met him. Now eight years later, we have become not just CO and 2IC, we have become good friends in that time. George, how you put up with me over the years, I'll never know" they all laugh.
"Now I'm going to fill in his shoes once again, I suppose you warn the staff about me?"
"Yep"
"Thanks. I know that you are going to be missed sir, you have been this past year, when I was in charge. It has been and honour and privilege working with you sir"
Then Jack got off the chair and stood next to Sam then George got up on it and looked around the room.
"Thank you for your speech Jack. Over the past forty-eight years, I have seen and done a lot. But what I have done is nothing compared to what you all have done in the past eight years, risking your lives on a daily basis when you go through the gate. To some unknown planet, to see what threat there is out there besides the goa'uld and making new friends along the way. Jack is right about one thing, which is about writing a book on my Experience over the years, especially in the past eight years. The decisions that I have made in the seven years when I was in charge of this base, well it made me age quicker, not to mention the ulcers that I get every year. But it has been worth it. Seriously though, I'm going to miss you all. But you are more than welcome to come and visit me, to see how things are going. I'll be living here in the springs with my family, plus I still got clearance to come and visit here, to see how things are going. It has been an honour and privilege working with you all" they all clap, then they all hear.
"Ten hut"
They all stood at attention, then saluted, which he did, back to them all. Then he got off the chair. The party carried on. The next morning Jacob and Bra'tac left to head back to their planets, but promised to visit soon.
Jack was able to give SG1 a week off since they had been working without a break for three months. He even got some time off before he started his new job.
Jack and Sam flew to San Diego to visit Mark and his family. They stayed with them for five days. Jack got on well with the family, which made Sam happy.
Mark asked Jack lots of questions, which he answered them all. Even the kids ask him questions as well. Mark could see how happy his little sister was with Jack.
They way they look at each other, the smiles, touchers, every thing, they way he makes her smile, giggle, and laugh. He knew that Sam was right about one thing, that she did follow her heart. That they waited for eight years to be together, now it has happened.
The day that they were leaving mark also gave him a pep talk. Jack reassures him what would happen if he did hurt her, which made Mark laugh. Now he knows that she is in safe hands and will be looking forward to the wedding when it comes up.
Since they still have three days off, they went to Denver to see Cassie and also to give her the good news, since she is now in college. She was pleased for them both and also looking forward to the wedding.
Sam said that when Cassie shows up on the weekends, that they will go shopping together with Janet for a wedding and bridesmaid dresses, which Cassie is looking forward to.
Later that night, they were at Sam place, snuggling together on the couch in front of a fire since it was cold at night cause it was snowing outside.
"Sam what do you think we should do without homes?"
"Well we both know, that we both only got two bedrooms, so how about selling them both and buying a new one together"
"That is a good idea, but since the realty state agency are close, it will make it hard for us both to find time to look for a new house as well plan for a wedding"
"Well why don't we have a look on the net"
"Now why didn't I think of that" Sam laughed.
"Come on, let's have a look"
They both got up and went over to her computer and started it up. Once on line she Sam started typing away, then they started checking out the different agencies and to see what homes that were up for sale and where they were. They were checking out the homes for over two hours, till they found the one that they were looking for.
It was ten minutes from Cheyanne Mountain, three stories home, with the third story converted into two large storage rooms. One side for decorations and the other for kids to have friends over for an overnight PJ party since there was a toilet and small kitchenette built.
The second story has five bedrooms and five bathrooms. The master bedroom is twice as big as Jack's bedroom with a toilet, twin hand basins and draws under it. Large bath and large walk in shower can fit both of them easily.
The four other bedrooms are the same size as the one he got now and they got four same size but different colour bathrooms which have walk-in showers, toilet and single hand basin with cupboards under it and it is half the size of the mast bathroom.
The first story got a large lounge that could fit both Jack and Sam furniture into it no problem since it was four times larger than Jack lounge room.
The dining area was also big, from the picture that they could see, there was a nine piece dining suite there, and there was still plenty of room. They also could see a built-in china cabinet where they could put their good dishes, and wine glasses.
The kitchen would have been four times bigger than Jack kitchen with a breakfast bar with it also. There was also a game room and a study and the laundry room was big also.
There was a huge back lawn with a three-car garage and carport connected to the house. Jack notices that the carport and the garage have got a flat roof, with a door from the second story leading out onto it. There's a big patio out back also.
They both love the place, and it is in their price range. So Sam printed it out for them. They both were so happy about it. Sam was going to get the ball rolling on Monday morning. Half an hour later Jack left for his place, and promised to see Sam first thing in the morning since it was going to be their last day together before returning back to work.