Chapter 19
Sam quietly closed the door behind her and headed for the living room. She found Jack sitting on the couch nursing a beer. He motioned for her to sit beside him.
-You want one?
He pointed to his half empty bottle. Sam quietly shook her head as she sat down at the opposite end of the couch.
-No thanks.
They sat silently on the couch, Jack sipping his beer and Sam fighting back the anger she had been holding back all day. Finally, she couldn't take it any longer.
-So, are you going to tell me what happened with Laira or do I have to fill in the blanks myself?
-Well I…wait a second, how did you know it was Laira?
Sam glared at him.
-Just answer the question.
Jack sighed.
-Well, it's really not that complicated. I was drunk and…
Sam harrumphed.
-Why doesn't that surprise me?
-Sam, just cut the crap ok? You have no idea what I went through those 3 months trying to get home.
-And you have no idea what I went through those 3 months trying to get you home.
A heavy silence filled the air. Outside it began to thunderstorm. Suddenly they heard a small voice.
-Daddy, please don't be mad at Sam.
Jack and Sam looked up to see Brady standing there wearing Jack's t-shirt and clutching his teddy bear.
-It wasn't her fault, Daddy. And Sam, it wasn't his either. It was mother's.
They stared at him in shock, unable to believe what they were hearing. Brady took a deep breath and got a far off look in in his eye struggling to remember the last thing his mother had told him before she died.
-Mother told me what she did, Daddy. How she used you to get me. She was very ashamed and said that her death was punishment for her actions. But, she also said that she didn't regret it, because her 5 years with me were the best of her life. So, stop arguing with each other. Please?
Jack gazed at the small child who stood in front of him, surprised at the boy's outspokenness. For the first time he began to realize how truly special Brady was. Jack opened his mouth to speak, but then shut it when he realized that there was no way to convey with words what he was feeling. He turned to look at Sam and she instantly noticed the change that had come over him. Jack looked older, as if his life of dangerous exploits and reckless pursuits had finally caught up with him. Sam sighed quietly.
-Come on Brady. Let's get you back to bed.
-Ok.
She got up, took his hand and guided him back to the bedroom, taking a moment to look over her shoulder at a very pensive Colonel Jack O'Neill.