[Author's note: Sorry about the delay in continuing - I've had the 'flu.]
And thank you to everyone who's written to me - much appreciated!]
Chapter 14 - Facing Demons
The last thing Sam expected was to see that Jack had been watching her silently from the doorway for at least a couple of minutes. The shock of the TV announcement had upset her in a way she had never felt before, and running from the room had also been a new experience.
She suddenly felt embarrassed, but didn't move from her position on the old sofa by the back room veranda windows. Neither did she let go of Teal'c, whom she had been holding close to her since the pup had jumped onto her lap almost the moment after she had thrown herself down onto the seat. Her tears had dried up quickly, and the feeling of shock and confusion had slowly given way to anger and resentment, backed up by a worry as to how Jack would react.
Jack walked slowly over to the sofa, and silently gestured for her to move over a little for him to sit down. The pup took this as an invitation to jump on him, and Jack wrestled gently with the squirming bundle of fur until the dog suddenly tired of the game and leapt down to play with something else. Jack reached over and took Sam's hand in his, while she stared down at their intertwined fingers.
"What did you tell me so forcefully the other day?" he said quietly. "Something about being in this together?" A fleeting smile passed across her face, and so he continued. "Sam, do you think anyone in real life would actually use those words in a conversation?" He mimicked the TV presenter's voice. "A *hot lover* in a *love nest*."
She smiled in spite of her black mood. "No, of course not."
"Well then," Jack continued, "I don't imagine your ex thought very much about how a journalist could twist his words. Those people only want to sell newspapers, or find 'The Story That's Too Good to Check'."
"Then why would he do this?" she responded in a voice heavy with disgust.
"I'm guessing that he probably saw the TV clip of us leaving Hammond's house and our play-acting, and just came out with the fact that he knew who we really were. If he was with his buddies in a bar or something, the story could have escalated from there. I'll bet he loved showing you off when you were in Denver, just like I'm tempted to do sometimes when we're out among friends."
"That's a lot of assumptions." replied Sam. "And why are you being so... So.. *charitable* about it? It's not like you." Without thinking, she placed her other hand over his, her thumb stroking his knuckles.
"Well, for a moment or two back there, I'll admit that I had him lined up in the sights." said Jack. "But things are going to fall apart rapidly if we're not prepared for the kind of questions we're going to get asked in the next few hours. Just after you left the room, they showed the clip again of us leaving Hammond's house, but they've cottoned on to our real roles in the SGC. We are now publicly 'the two most highly-decorated officers to have led SG teams'. Although I will admit that *Stargate Babe* has a certain appeal." She glared at him, but he continued, "They've started dogging several of our friends and colleagues, so we're not alone by any means."
"Yeah, I guess." she sighed. "So what do you think we should do? Go for 'plausible deniability'? Has the Air Force issued any statements yet on what's public knowledge and what's going to remain secret?"
He shook his head in response. "Seems pretty much everything is coming out into the open." said Jack. "Which leads to what I guess is going to be the biggest threat to us on a personal level."
"Your untapped memories?" she asked.
"That, and the fact that anyone who's carrying or has carried a Goa'uld at some time is gonna be treated like a lab rat by so-called *scientists* and any crackpot who thinks they've got a right to confront us."
"Or as *demons* by others." she added. "But it'll pass, right? I mean, when the news is a few days old, the media will go back to sport, disasters and politics for the most part, like they normally do. Although I grant you, this *is* the biggest event in modern history, so the focus should change fairly quickly from past ET contacts and personalities to live broadcasts from off-world and current players."
"Well, yes. Not everyone's like us, trying to avoid the limelight to a certain degree." said Jack. "Your friend Dr. McKay is already accepting the plaudits of being, and I quote, 'The brains behind Earth's Stargate control programs'. He was on TV just now as well."
Sam sat up suddenly, her pensive expression replaced by a moment of fury that made her eyes sparkle fleetingly in the way that Jack loved. "What?!" she almost shouted. "That's.. I'll make him wish he *was* a pianist!" earning a puzzled expression from him. They sat in silence for a few moments, each lost to their own thoughts.
Jack glanced at his watch. "Let's walk the dogs while we can. Maybe we can plan a few responses to the inquisition while we're out."
XXXXXXXXXXXX
The call the following day from General Hammond asking them to return to Colorado Springs for an officially-organised press conference at the SGC was a welcome relief. Cameramen, outside broadcast trucks, reporters, paparazzi and the uncontrollably curious had gathered outside their house day and night, the barrage of flashguns and video cameras at all possible locations ready to record their every move, real or imagined. Cameras on extendable poles peered into their upstairs windows, and even a fibre optic cable had been thrust through the keyhole in the back door at one stage.
At first, Jack and Sam had been polite and hospitable, answering questions, no matter how distorted or personal, in their front garden. The same questions came up time and time again, each TV reporter wanting to get their own voice or station identification in the sound clip. Sam was ill- prepared for the intrusive personal questions following on from the sensational newspaper story about her past affair with Pete, and had simply given up answering the reporters altogether. It had just gone on and on.
"Major Carter, were you upset by that story?"
"I'm Sam O'Neill, now. Yes, who wouldn't be?"
"Do you think you'll forgive him?"
"No comment."
"Was Jack upset about learning the details of your love-life?"
"What's that got to do with the Stargate?"
"Do you still care about Pete Shannon?"
"No. I married Colonel O'Neill three months ago. Doesn't that say everything?"
"What do you think of Detective Shannon's story?"
"I think he's got a powerful imagination - somewhat at odds with a job that requires impartial examination of evidence, I'd say."
"Will you pose for a 'Stargate Babes' calendar?"
"No! Doesn't anyone have a sensible question here?"
But they didn't. And the remnants of the rabble showed no signs of leaving after their ranks thinned out a little after a few hours on the first day. The local police sent a squad car, but it was hardly a deterrent and soon disappeared to attend to more urgent matters. Persistent cold rain showers did little to disperse them either. During the evening, Jack opened the front door suddenly to reveal an operator trying to attach a microphone to the window. He let a snarling Sam 2 spring at the man, her teeth locking onto his sleeve before he could pull himself away and flee back to the road. Jack called the dog back and walked up to the front fence.
"Anyone else who sets foot on my land will be treated as an intruder and I will exercise my citizen's rights to defend my family and property." said Jack, using the voice that had terrified recruits in the past. "There will be no more public comments from my wife or me. You can contact the Air Force via the proper channels to set up any further interviews. That is all." He turned smartly round, leading his dog back to the house, ignoring the barrage of questions that arose from the unmoving mob.
XXXXXXXXXXXX
The cold and damp members of the press cordon were stirred into life again early next morning when Sam and Jack's great friend Jimmy arrived. They reluctantly parted to let him walk up the drive and into the house, having been unable to draw a word out of him. They hadn't long to wait before the unmistakeable sound of a helicopter grew in volume to the point where they knew something was about to happen.
The aged Iroquois came to rest in the spacious back garden, touching the ground but with the rotor still turning. By rushing down the road and using long-focus lenses, they saw Sam and Jack throw a bag into the open door and climb in rapidly after it. The door closed and it disappeared rapidly, the thunderous noise fading.
Meanwhile, reporters approached the front door and rang the bell, hoping to get to talk to Jimmy. Holding on to Sam 2's collar, he opened the door and responded to their enquiries in his normal way, but they soon gave up trying when the severity of his speech impediment became apparent. As they left and he closed the door again, he smiled and said softly, in a much clearer voice, "Good girl, Sam. Good girl." stroking the dog's ears. The months of encouragement by Sam and Jack to help him resume his speech therapy training were beginning to pay off, but he wasn't going to let those *eejits* outside know it, and he smiled with satisfaction as the crowd began to disperse.
XXXXXXXXXXXX
Chapter 14 - Facing Demons
The last thing Sam expected was to see that Jack had been watching her silently from the doorway for at least a couple of minutes. The shock of the TV announcement had upset her in a way she had never felt before, and running from the room had also been a new experience.
She suddenly felt embarrassed, but didn't move from her position on the old sofa by the back room veranda windows. Neither did she let go of Teal'c, whom she had been holding close to her since the pup had jumped onto her lap almost the moment after she had thrown herself down onto the seat. Her tears had dried up quickly, and the feeling of shock and confusion had slowly given way to anger and resentment, backed up by a worry as to how Jack would react.
Jack walked slowly over to the sofa, and silently gestured for her to move over a little for him to sit down. The pup took this as an invitation to jump on him, and Jack wrestled gently with the squirming bundle of fur until the dog suddenly tired of the game and leapt down to play with something else. Jack reached over and took Sam's hand in his, while she stared down at their intertwined fingers.
"What did you tell me so forcefully the other day?" he said quietly. "Something about being in this together?" A fleeting smile passed across her face, and so he continued. "Sam, do you think anyone in real life would actually use those words in a conversation?" He mimicked the TV presenter's voice. "A *hot lover* in a *love nest*."
She smiled in spite of her black mood. "No, of course not."
"Well then," Jack continued, "I don't imagine your ex thought very much about how a journalist could twist his words. Those people only want to sell newspapers, or find 'The Story That's Too Good to Check'."
"Then why would he do this?" she responded in a voice heavy with disgust.
"I'm guessing that he probably saw the TV clip of us leaving Hammond's house and our play-acting, and just came out with the fact that he knew who we really were. If he was with his buddies in a bar or something, the story could have escalated from there. I'll bet he loved showing you off when you were in Denver, just like I'm tempted to do sometimes when we're out among friends."
"That's a lot of assumptions." replied Sam. "And why are you being so... So.. *charitable* about it? It's not like you." Without thinking, she placed her other hand over his, her thumb stroking his knuckles.
"Well, for a moment or two back there, I'll admit that I had him lined up in the sights." said Jack. "But things are going to fall apart rapidly if we're not prepared for the kind of questions we're going to get asked in the next few hours. Just after you left the room, they showed the clip again of us leaving Hammond's house, but they've cottoned on to our real roles in the SGC. We are now publicly 'the two most highly-decorated officers to have led SG teams'. Although I will admit that *Stargate Babe* has a certain appeal." She glared at him, but he continued, "They've started dogging several of our friends and colleagues, so we're not alone by any means."
"Yeah, I guess." she sighed. "So what do you think we should do? Go for 'plausible deniability'? Has the Air Force issued any statements yet on what's public knowledge and what's going to remain secret?"
He shook his head in response. "Seems pretty much everything is coming out into the open." said Jack. "Which leads to what I guess is going to be the biggest threat to us on a personal level."
"Your untapped memories?" she asked.
"That, and the fact that anyone who's carrying or has carried a Goa'uld at some time is gonna be treated like a lab rat by so-called *scientists* and any crackpot who thinks they've got a right to confront us."
"Or as *demons* by others." she added. "But it'll pass, right? I mean, when the news is a few days old, the media will go back to sport, disasters and politics for the most part, like they normally do. Although I grant you, this *is* the biggest event in modern history, so the focus should change fairly quickly from past ET contacts and personalities to live broadcasts from off-world and current players."
"Well, yes. Not everyone's like us, trying to avoid the limelight to a certain degree." said Jack. "Your friend Dr. McKay is already accepting the plaudits of being, and I quote, 'The brains behind Earth's Stargate control programs'. He was on TV just now as well."
Sam sat up suddenly, her pensive expression replaced by a moment of fury that made her eyes sparkle fleetingly in the way that Jack loved. "What?!" she almost shouted. "That's.. I'll make him wish he *was* a pianist!" earning a puzzled expression from him. They sat in silence for a few moments, each lost to their own thoughts.
Jack glanced at his watch. "Let's walk the dogs while we can. Maybe we can plan a few responses to the inquisition while we're out."
XXXXXXXXXXXX
The call the following day from General Hammond asking them to return to Colorado Springs for an officially-organised press conference at the SGC was a welcome relief. Cameramen, outside broadcast trucks, reporters, paparazzi and the uncontrollably curious had gathered outside their house day and night, the barrage of flashguns and video cameras at all possible locations ready to record their every move, real or imagined. Cameras on extendable poles peered into their upstairs windows, and even a fibre optic cable had been thrust through the keyhole in the back door at one stage.
At first, Jack and Sam had been polite and hospitable, answering questions, no matter how distorted or personal, in their front garden. The same questions came up time and time again, each TV reporter wanting to get their own voice or station identification in the sound clip. Sam was ill- prepared for the intrusive personal questions following on from the sensational newspaper story about her past affair with Pete, and had simply given up answering the reporters altogether. It had just gone on and on.
"Major Carter, were you upset by that story?"
"I'm Sam O'Neill, now. Yes, who wouldn't be?"
"Do you think you'll forgive him?"
"No comment."
"Was Jack upset about learning the details of your love-life?"
"What's that got to do with the Stargate?"
"Do you still care about Pete Shannon?"
"No. I married Colonel O'Neill three months ago. Doesn't that say everything?"
"What do you think of Detective Shannon's story?"
"I think he's got a powerful imagination - somewhat at odds with a job that requires impartial examination of evidence, I'd say."
"Will you pose for a 'Stargate Babes' calendar?"
"No! Doesn't anyone have a sensible question here?"
But they didn't. And the remnants of the rabble showed no signs of leaving after their ranks thinned out a little after a few hours on the first day. The local police sent a squad car, but it was hardly a deterrent and soon disappeared to attend to more urgent matters. Persistent cold rain showers did little to disperse them either. During the evening, Jack opened the front door suddenly to reveal an operator trying to attach a microphone to the window. He let a snarling Sam 2 spring at the man, her teeth locking onto his sleeve before he could pull himself away and flee back to the road. Jack called the dog back and walked up to the front fence.
"Anyone else who sets foot on my land will be treated as an intruder and I will exercise my citizen's rights to defend my family and property." said Jack, using the voice that had terrified recruits in the past. "There will be no more public comments from my wife or me. You can contact the Air Force via the proper channels to set up any further interviews. That is all." He turned smartly round, leading his dog back to the house, ignoring the barrage of questions that arose from the unmoving mob.
XXXXXXXXXXXX
The cold and damp members of the press cordon were stirred into life again early next morning when Sam and Jack's great friend Jimmy arrived. They reluctantly parted to let him walk up the drive and into the house, having been unable to draw a word out of him. They hadn't long to wait before the unmistakeable sound of a helicopter grew in volume to the point where they knew something was about to happen.
The aged Iroquois came to rest in the spacious back garden, touching the ground but with the rotor still turning. By rushing down the road and using long-focus lenses, they saw Sam and Jack throw a bag into the open door and climb in rapidly after it. The door closed and it disappeared rapidly, the thunderous noise fading.
Meanwhile, reporters approached the front door and rang the bell, hoping to get to talk to Jimmy. Holding on to Sam 2's collar, he opened the door and responded to their enquiries in his normal way, but they soon gave up trying when the severity of his speech impediment became apparent. As they left and he closed the door again, he smiled and said softly, in a much clearer voice, "Good girl, Sam. Good girl." stroking the dog's ears. The months of encouragement by Sam and Jack to help him resume his speech therapy training were beginning to pay off, but he wasn't going to let those *eejits* outside know it, and he smiled with satisfaction as the crowd began to disperse.
XXXXXXXXXXXX