Chapter 2: The Meeting
Sam drove through the security block, a salute from the guards, and drove round to where her parking spot was located. She sighed. Jack had stolen her spot again.
She parked her car a few spaces away and, looking at her watch, jogged up into the complex. She rushed into the meeting room to see General Hammond and Jack sitting at the table.
"Sorry I'm late," she greeted, slightly breathless. "Where are Daniel and Teal'c?"
"Actually, they won't be attending this meeting. Take a seat, Sam." She sat down slowly into the seat across from Jack and he smiled curtly at her.
"Good morning, Carter. Haven't you seen you in awhile." She smirked at him and was about to say something when she remembered that General Hammond was in the room.
What she was about to say probably wouldn't have been appropriate.
Instead, she turned to the General.
"What's this meeting about, Sir, and why aren't Teal'c and Daniel coming to it?"
"This is just for military personnel, and is basically just directed for you two. You see, there's a bi-annual military event I want you two to participate in that's coming up…"
"Military event? We never participate in military events," Jack stated blankly.
"Well, especially viewing the last few report logs, I think that you should really be in this."
"What's this 'military event' about?" Sam asked, a curious tone in her voice. General Hammond turned to her, smiling slightly.
"That's the good part. The military event is going to be held on a ship-a cruise if you must. It's a military partner meeting. You'll be participating in games and challenges that help you work better together as partners."
~~~
"I didn't even know we were partners." The briefing was over, and the pair were walking to the dorm where Daniel and Teal'c apparently were. Jack placed his hand on Sam's upper back.
"Oh, come on Samantha, you know you're always gonna be my pardner." Sam smirked.
"Next you're going to be doing John Wayne impersonations."
"I thought I already was." Sam opened a door and the two both walked in to see Daniel and Teal'c sitting next to each other, talking in low whispers. Daniel looked up as they walked in.
"Oh, hey," Daniel greeted. "What did General Hammond what to see you about?"
"Oh, you know, the usual-little poke here, little feel there," Jack commented. Sam stared at him.
"You're just in one of those moods today, aren't you?" she asked.
"Hey, what do you expect-I'm a flyboy, remember?"
"Anyway, what General Hammond actually said to us was that we were going to go on a military excursion."
"What, do you have to go through some sort of obstacle course or something?"
"No, no, you misunderstand the woman. See, we've been chosen to go on a 'partnership' cruise." Jack's tone was sarcastic again. Daniel blinked, then grinned.
"Partnership cruise? Where's the cruise to?"
"From the bay of San Francisco to Hawaii," Sam said. Daniel's grin widened.
"Well, how's about that? Lucky you." Jack was about to say something nasty but Teal'c cut in first.
"When do you embark?"
"Do you believe it? Tomorrow morning," Sam answered.
"What time?" Daniel asked.
"Ugh, that's the bad part-two am."
"'That's the bad part'? 'That's the bad part'?! I think this whole stinking thing is bad." Sam placed her hands on her hips.
"What's so bad about it?" Sam asked, staring up at him with a slightly angry glint in her eyes. She was coming to her own conclusions about Jack's reaction to all of this, and they weren't good.
"I think it's pure crap. It's just a waste of time. 'Partnership meeting'… I mean, what the hell is that?"
"I would love to go on a free cruise," Daniel said abruptly.
"And underline that statement free."
"Yeah, but…" His voice trailed off and his eyes flicked towards Sam. This didn't go by unnoticed and basically confirmed what she was thinking.
"It's just that you can't stand the thought of being stuck with me for 5 days alone," she said, and Jack blinked.
"Where the hell did you get that from? That's the only thing that's keeping me from refusing." There was a short, uncomfortable silence, which was only disturbed after Daniel cleared his throat and tried to change the subject somewhat.
"Jees, five days huh? That means we'll probably have time off too." He looked at Teal'c, whose eyes suddenly seemed to light up.
"Well, that does appear to be the case."
"Hey, maybe you two could take a trip of your own while we're gone," Jack suggested, and Daniel and Teal'c shared another look. Sam watched them all for a moment, before suddenly leaving. There was a moment's pause before Daniel spoke up.
"Should I go after her…?"
"No," Jack said slowly. "No, I think she was just feeling a little awkward. But… I've got an idea that might help…"
~~~
A/N: Ha, Sam made an ass out of herself. Okay, bad characterization, I know, and I'm not trying to torture Sam or anything (although it does seem like that. Muwahahahaha!)
I was making it up as I went along, okay?! Don't question me as to what I was doing, because I don't even know myself.