Title: Next Generation
Chapter 10 – A Fine Line
Rating: PG
Spoilers: None
Season: After season 6 (contains Daniel) but no spoilers
Summary: Sam's living with Jack even though her nightmares are still continuing, and Jacob Carter pays them a call
Pairings: Sam/Jack
Disclaimer: None of these people belong to me (sadly)
Author's Note: It seems like forever since I updated, and it has actually been forever – I am SO sorry. I've been in the middle of my AS exams, and despite whining from my muse haven't had time to write. I promise the next few chapters will be quicker (we're on the home stretch now guys!)
Thanks: To my beautiful betas Cathain and Amy and the speediness in which they got this chapter done, I am in awe!
Jack sat bolt upright in his bed as the screaming pierced into his mind shocking him out of sleep, breathing heavily; he took a second to regain his balance before carefully lowering himself out of bed. The cold wooden floorboards send shivers up his spine and hastily he stuffed his feet into his slippers.
Gingerly he made his way along the dark corridor toward the guestroom, where the screaming had now subsided into soft whimpers. The screaming never lasted long; because she usually woke herself up with her own shouting, "Sam I'm here!" He called as he pushed open the door. Glancing over at Carmen's cot he again found himself wondering at the way she continued to sleep through these night episodes.
In the dark he felt for the bedside lamp and clicked on. She was half sitting up in bed, tears glistening in her eyes, her breathing rushed and sharp. "Jack," she managed with relief.
He smiled "Yup." This use of his first name was becoming more and more frequent, and he wasn't going to complain, it was a dangerous reality but somehow one that he couldn't bring himself to argue with.
"Oh God I'm sorry," she groaned as she rested her head back into her pillow. "I didn't mean to wake you...again, I'm okay now, go back to bed."
"Sure," he nodded unconvinced. "You really want me to leave?" This was a scenario he was beginning to grow used to; she would wake up screaming, sometimes when he came in she was in an awful state, crying and shaking, refusing to let go of him. He'd sit with her for a while until she fell asleep, but those nights weren't the worst. Other times, like this, she'd wake up screaming but once properly awake would appear calm and reassure him that she was fine. Three times Jack had made the mistake of leaving, only to either be woken up again a few hours later, discovering she'd been sitting in terror for the past few hours, he'd then have to sit for hours trying to coax her to sleep. Sometimes she wouldn't even call for him, and he'd find her in the morning, exhausted and terrified because she'd been unable sleep all night.
The simplest solution he'd found was to sit or lie on the bed until she fell back to sleep, she protested of course but even she was beginning to agree that it was the easiest option.
She smiled sadly, "No." She admitted, "Sorry." She glanced over at the cot, "Is Carmen...?"
"Fast asleep? Yes, lucky for you she's a deep sleeper."
"I wonder who she gets that from?" Sam laughed, self-consciously gathering the covers around her.
"There's nothing wrong with being a deep sleeper." He protested, jumping to his own defence.
"Not for you, but what about when me, Teal'c or Daniel are trying to wake you for your turn to keep watch or something?"
"Hey," He frowned, "That was one time...two times! Anyway," he changed the subject "Are you going to try and get back to sleep?"
"You're not going?"
"Don't worry, I'll be right here." He said softly, slipping his slippers off he hoisted his legs up onto the bed and stretched out next to her, above the covers. He rested his head on his hands and stared up at the ceiling. As he laid there his mind tried to rationalise all that had happened, just a few months ago he'd been lying in an alien cell, waiting to die. And now he found himself lying in bed next to the women he loved, listening to her gentle breathing –unable to touch her, even look at her, for fear of evoking something greater.
"George." Jacob smiled broadly at Hammond as the wormhole closed behind him, "Good to see you."
"You too Jacob, what brings you to the SGC?"
Jacob gave a guilty smile, "Nothing really." He shrugged, "I've got a couple of bits of information about the activities of the System Lords that we thought you might be interested in, but it's just an excuse to see my granddaughter."
Hammond smiled, "I suspected as much." He clapped Jacob on the arm, "You'll be glad to know she'd doing very well."
"And Sam?"
"She's been better, but she's strong, and is coping, Dr. Fraiser seems to think she'll make a full recovery given time."
"Great, I'll go see her." Jacob started in the direction of the infirmary.
"Ah Jacob..." Hammond hesitated, "She's not here."
"Coming!" Sam called as the doorbell rang for a second time; hurriedly she set Carmen down in her cot and rushed downstairs. Pulling the door open she looked up, ready to apologise for the delay...
"Sorry I...Dad?"
Jacob smiled and held his arms open as she hugged him, "You really thought you'd be able to keep me away?"
"Come in." She said laughing, as she held the door open.
"It's good to see you Dad," She continued as she led him into the kitchen, and she meant it, it was good. She was tired, and seeing her father made her feel like a little girl again, he'd come to help her.
Jacob indicated to the house around him, "This is a nice place you've got here."
"Dad." She rolled her eyes, "You know that it's Ja...Colonel O'Neill's house."
"Yes well George told me that Ja...Colonel O'Neill was looking after you two for a while." He mocked her near slip.
Sam chose to ignore it, "So how have you been?" she asked.
Just a few hours in conversation with her Dad had done wonders to undo some of the stress Sam was feeling, he told her about the Tok'ra, and then about his trip to see Mark last time he'd been to see her. They'd talked about Mark for a while, and then about Daniel and Teal'c, about Janet and Cassie. Cassie was in the middle of exams at the moment but after that she was very eager to baby-sit.
"And Jack?" He asked, "How is he coping with all this?"
"You know the Colonel, he's coping with it all with a spring and a dance in his step, nothing new there." Jack wasn't someone she really wanted to be discussing with her father, for no reason other than her guilty conscience over all the feelings that had almost surfaced these past few weeks.
Just then the front door clicked, and Jack's greeting rang throughout the house.
"Jake," He smiled in greeting as he entered the kitchen, "Good to see you."
"You too Jack." Jacob noted, with some worry, that Jack was sporting bags under his eyes, matching Sam's pair.
"I'm just going to go get Carmen up," Sam said as she stood up.
"Don't worry," Jacob said standing up too, "I'll do it."
"Sure?"
"Yes, you both look exhausted." He said looking worriedly at his daughters worn face. He knew she'd been sleeping better than when she was at the SGC but things still weren't perfect. The nightmares still came and looking after Carmen wasn't easy. Jack didn't look much better; having to take care of both Carmen and Sam was beginning to take its toll. In fact Jacob was seriously considering extending his visit for a few weeks...
"She's upstairs, second door on the right." Jack called, overhearing the conversation as he and headed back to the front door, "I'm just going to unload the truck."
Jacob pushed open the door carefully, and crept into the room. The curtains were drawn and the lights off. Carefully he navigated his way toward the shape of the cot that he could see in the dim light. "Ouch," He said aloud he almost fell over something, at the sound Carmen stirred.
Flicking on the light switch, Jacob leant over the crib and carefully lifted his granddaughter into his arms, "Wake up sleep head." He whispered, smiling as she blinked her eyes repeatedly.
Sitting on the bed with her in his arms Jacob cherished the moment alone with his granddaughter. He still couldn't help but marvel at her tiny perfection, looking at her stirred memories, memories of Sam and Mark as babies, but also memories that weren't his. He wasn't Selmak's only host who'd had children, and as he gazed at his granddaughter, half a dozen faces drifted into his mind.
Trying to sit comfortably he pulled out a T-shirt from underneath him, recognising it as one he'd given Sam last Christmas, he smiled at the cartoon motif and threw it behind him onto the pillow.
"I knew she didn't like that shirt," He whispered to Carmen, "That's why she uses it to sleep in, so no one has to see it..." He trailed off as something caught his eye, Jack's slippers, the ones he'd tripped over on his way in...
"Thanks Dad." Sam smiled, taking Carmen from his arms.
He didn't smile back, "Is there something you want to tell me?"
"What?" She looked up from the bottle she was preparing.
"Look Sam, I know things are hard at the moment, and it must be weird having to live with Jack, but I really don't think this is helping."
"Dad, what are you talking about?"
"I really don't think sleeping with you CO is going to make things any better."
"What?" She whirled round to face him.
"For crying out loud Sam! This is a fine enough line you're treading anyway! Do you want to lose your job? Do you want to be court marshalled?"
"How dare you!" She set Carmen in her chair and raised a finger angrily, "Tell me what I can and can't do!"
"I'm not trying to tell you, I'm just pointing out that this is not the way an Air Force major should be behaving. No matter what the extraordinary circumstances." He indicated to Carmen.
Sam had had enough, she knew why he was confused and she knew he was only looking out for her, but for a moment she didn't care. She was tired and confused; she needed to let it all out, if only for a moment. Clenching her teeth together she glared at him, "You think that if I wanted to the Air Force could really stop me sleeping with the man I love?" She snapped, "Do you? God knows we could do with some comfort in our lives!"
Jacob visibly stuttered for a moment, stunned by her outburst, "Sam..." He eventually tried, is voice lowered but just as firm, "I'm just saying it's not a good idea."
"I know it's not a good idea." She told him, calming down, "Which is why I'm not."
"Not?"
"Sleeping with my CO, as you do eloquently put it."
"Sam, I saw..."
"I know what you saw but that doesn't mean anything. The truth is Jack has ended up sleeping next to me the last few nights...but not..." She said before he could interrupt "Like you think. I'm still having nightmares, he wakes me up and I'm so frightened I won't let him leave. He's looking after me Dad, after both of us."
Jacob took a moment to digest this information, "I'm sorry Sam, I didn't realise things were so bad – I can stay longer, help out. The Tok'ra can survive a few weeks without me."
"It's okay," Sam reassured him "We can manage, Janet, Daniel and Teal'c are dropping in regularly, we have help."
"If you're sure, because I can..."
"Dad," She warned with a smile, "We're okay, things haven't been easy but we're okay."
"At least let me stay the night" He compromised.
"Of course, now are you going to help me or not?" She indicated to Carmen.
"With the man I love." The words echoed round and round Jacob Carter's mind, whenever he thought he'd forgotten about them Selmak would helpfully remind him. "You think that if I want to that the Air Force could really stop me sleeping with the man I love?" is what she had said.
He wasn't blind, he'd noticed the attraction between his daughter and her CO, and on several occasions he'd almost said something to her. Not because he'd thought it was anything serious, but because he'd thought it was inappropriate flirting, nothing more. He'd not mentioned it because he trusted her, he didn't believe she was capable of jeopardising her career like that, and he trusted Jack O'Neill, trusted that he'd keep things in check. That was why he'd become so mad earlier, for a split second he'd felt betrayed, but then those words, "With the man I love." He'd never considered this...
"I like you Jack," He finally said later that evening.
"Thanks Jake." Jack said jokingly as he searched the fridge for a beer. Sam had gone to bed a few hours ago, and the two of them had stayed up watching a movie. "You're alright yourself," he added, again using humour to cover his embarrassment and confusion.
"I just needed you to know that." Jacob said slowly as Jack sat down.
Jack looked up confused, "Okay..."
"You'd make her happy, and to me, that's all that matters."
"Jacob..." Jack started, suddenly feeling very awkward.
"I know a lot of things stand in your way," Jacob turned, looking Jack straight in the eye "But I want you to know I won't be one of them." He stood up before Jack could respond.
"Good night Jack." He called, leaving Jack sitting in stunned silence. "You'd make a good son-in-law."
"What?" Jack nearly choked in shock, spitting beer all over the sofa in the process
"Night"
A/N: Let me know what you think, let me know that you're still out there after all this time, chapter 11 to follow shortly
Chapter 10 – A Fine Line
Rating: PG
Spoilers: None
Season: After season 6 (contains Daniel) but no spoilers
Summary: Sam's living with Jack even though her nightmares are still continuing, and Jacob Carter pays them a call
Pairings: Sam/Jack
Disclaimer: None of these people belong to me (sadly)
Author's Note: It seems like forever since I updated, and it has actually been forever – I am SO sorry. I've been in the middle of my AS exams, and despite whining from my muse haven't had time to write. I promise the next few chapters will be quicker (we're on the home stretch now guys!)
Thanks: To my beautiful betas Cathain and Amy and the speediness in which they got this chapter done, I am in awe!
Jack sat bolt upright in his bed as the screaming pierced into his mind shocking him out of sleep, breathing heavily; he took a second to regain his balance before carefully lowering himself out of bed. The cold wooden floorboards send shivers up his spine and hastily he stuffed his feet into his slippers.
Gingerly he made his way along the dark corridor toward the guestroom, where the screaming had now subsided into soft whimpers. The screaming never lasted long; because she usually woke herself up with her own shouting, "Sam I'm here!" He called as he pushed open the door. Glancing over at Carmen's cot he again found himself wondering at the way she continued to sleep through these night episodes.
In the dark he felt for the bedside lamp and clicked on. She was half sitting up in bed, tears glistening in her eyes, her breathing rushed and sharp. "Jack," she managed with relief.
He smiled "Yup." This use of his first name was becoming more and more frequent, and he wasn't going to complain, it was a dangerous reality but somehow one that he couldn't bring himself to argue with.
"Oh God I'm sorry," she groaned as she rested her head back into her pillow. "I didn't mean to wake you...again, I'm okay now, go back to bed."
"Sure," he nodded unconvinced. "You really want me to leave?" This was a scenario he was beginning to grow used to; she would wake up screaming, sometimes when he came in she was in an awful state, crying and shaking, refusing to let go of him. He'd sit with her for a while until she fell asleep, but those nights weren't the worst. Other times, like this, she'd wake up screaming but once properly awake would appear calm and reassure him that she was fine. Three times Jack had made the mistake of leaving, only to either be woken up again a few hours later, discovering she'd been sitting in terror for the past few hours, he'd then have to sit for hours trying to coax her to sleep. Sometimes she wouldn't even call for him, and he'd find her in the morning, exhausted and terrified because she'd been unable sleep all night.
The simplest solution he'd found was to sit or lie on the bed until she fell back to sleep, she protested of course but even she was beginning to agree that it was the easiest option.
She smiled sadly, "No." She admitted, "Sorry." She glanced over at the cot, "Is Carmen...?"
"Fast asleep? Yes, lucky for you she's a deep sleeper."
"I wonder who she gets that from?" Sam laughed, self-consciously gathering the covers around her.
"There's nothing wrong with being a deep sleeper." He protested, jumping to his own defence.
"Not for you, but what about when me, Teal'c or Daniel are trying to wake you for your turn to keep watch or something?"
"Hey," He frowned, "That was one time...two times! Anyway," he changed the subject "Are you going to try and get back to sleep?"
"You're not going?"
"Don't worry, I'll be right here." He said softly, slipping his slippers off he hoisted his legs up onto the bed and stretched out next to her, above the covers. He rested his head on his hands and stared up at the ceiling. As he laid there his mind tried to rationalise all that had happened, just a few months ago he'd been lying in an alien cell, waiting to die. And now he found himself lying in bed next to the women he loved, listening to her gentle breathing –unable to touch her, even look at her, for fear of evoking something greater.
"George." Jacob smiled broadly at Hammond as the wormhole closed behind him, "Good to see you."
"You too Jacob, what brings you to the SGC?"
Jacob gave a guilty smile, "Nothing really." He shrugged, "I've got a couple of bits of information about the activities of the System Lords that we thought you might be interested in, but it's just an excuse to see my granddaughter."
Hammond smiled, "I suspected as much." He clapped Jacob on the arm, "You'll be glad to know she'd doing very well."
"And Sam?"
"She's been better, but she's strong, and is coping, Dr. Fraiser seems to think she'll make a full recovery given time."
"Great, I'll go see her." Jacob started in the direction of the infirmary.
"Ah Jacob..." Hammond hesitated, "She's not here."
"Coming!" Sam called as the doorbell rang for a second time; hurriedly she set Carmen down in her cot and rushed downstairs. Pulling the door open she looked up, ready to apologise for the delay...
"Sorry I...Dad?"
Jacob smiled and held his arms open as she hugged him, "You really thought you'd be able to keep me away?"
"Come in." She said laughing, as she held the door open.
"It's good to see you Dad," She continued as she led him into the kitchen, and she meant it, it was good. She was tired, and seeing her father made her feel like a little girl again, he'd come to help her.
Jacob indicated to the house around him, "This is a nice place you've got here."
"Dad." She rolled her eyes, "You know that it's Ja...Colonel O'Neill's house."
"Yes well George told me that Ja...Colonel O'Neill was looking after you two for a while." He mocked her near slip.
Sam chose to ignore it, "So how have you been?" she asked.
Just a few hours in conversation with her Dad had done wonders to undo some of the stress Sam was feeling, he told her about the Tok'ra, and then about his trip to see Mark last time he'd been to see her. They'd talked about Mark for a while, and then about Daniel and Teal'c, about Janet and Cassie. Cassie was in the middle of exams at the moment but after that she was very eager to baby-sit.
"And Jack?" He asked, "How is he coping with all this?"
"You know the Colonel, he's coping with it all with a spring and a dance in his step, nothing new there." Jack wasn't someone she really wanted to be discussing with her father, for no reason other than her guilty conscience over all the feelings that had almost surfaced these past few weeks.
Just then the front door clicked, and Jack's greeting rang throughout the house.
"Jake," He smiled in greeting as he entered the kitchen, "Good to see you."
"You too Jack." Jacob noted, with some worry, that Jack was sporting bags under his eyes, matching Sam's pair.
"I'm just going to go get Carmen up," Sam said as she stood up.
"Don't worry," Jacob said standing up too, "I'll do it."
"Sure?"
"Yes, you both look exhausted." He said looking worriedly at his daughters worn face. He knew she'd been sleeping better than when she was at the SGC but things still weren't perfect. The nightmares still came and looking after Carmen wasn't easy. Jack didn't look much better; having to take care of both Carmen and Sam was beginning to take its toll. In fact Jacob was seriously considering extending his visit for a few weeks...
"She's upstairs, second door on the right." Jack called, overhearing the conversation as he and headed back to the front door, "I'm just going to unload the truck."
Jacob pushed open the door carefully, and crept into the room. The curtains were drawn and the lights off. Carefully he navigated his way toward the shape of the cot that he could see in the dim light. "Ouch," He said aloud he almost fell over something, at the sound Carmen stirred.
Flicking on the light switch, Jacob leant over the crib and carefully lifted his granddaughter into his arms, "Wake up sleep head." He whispered, smiling as she blinked her eyes repeatedly.
Sitting on the bed with her in his arms Jacob cherished the moment alone with his granddaughter. He still couldn't help but marvel at her tiny perfection, looking at her stirred memories, memories of Sam and Mark as babies, but also memories that weren't his. He wasn't Selmak's only host who'd had children, and as he gazed at his granddaughter, half a dozen faces drifted into his mind.
Trying to sit comfortably he pulled out a T-shirt from underneath him, recognising it as one he'd given Sam last Christmas, he smiled at the cartoon motif and threw it behind him onto the pillow.
"I knew she didn't like that shirt," He whispered to Carmen, "That's why she uses it to sleep in, so no one has to see it..." He trailed off as something caught his eye, Jack's slippers, the ones he'd tripped over on his way in...
"Thanks Dad." Sam smiled, taking Carmen from his arms.
He didn't smile back, "Is there something you want to tell me?"
"What?" She looked up from the bottle she was preparing.
"Look Sam, I know things are hard at the moment, and it must be weird having to live with Jack, but I really don't think this is helping."
"Dad, what are you talking about?"
"I really don't think sleeping with you CO is going to make things any better."
"What?" She whirled round to face him.
"For crying out loud Sam! This is a fine enough line you're treading anyway! Do you want to lose your job? Do you want to be court marshalled?"
"How dare you!" She set Carmen in her chair and raised a finger angrily, "Tell me what I can and can't do!"
"I'm not trying to tell you, I'm just pointing out that this is not the way an Air Force major should be behaving. No matter what the extraordinary circumstances." He indicated to Carmen.
Sam had had enough, she knew why he was confused and she knew he was only looking out for her, but for a moment she didn't care. She was tired and confused; she needed to let it all out, if only for a moment. Clenching her teeth together she glared at him, "You think that if I wanted to the Air Force could really stop me sleeping with the man I love?" She snapped, "Do you? God knows we could do with some comfort in our lives!"
Jacob visibly stuttered for a moment, stunned by her outburst, "Sam..." He eventually tried, is voice lowered but just as firm, "I'm just saying it's not a good idea."
"I know it's not a good idea." She told him, calming down, "Which is why I'm not."
"Not?"
"Sleeping with my CO, as you do eloquently put it."
"Sam, I saw..."
"I know what you saw but that doesn't mean anything. The truth is Jack has ended up sleeping next to me the last few nights...but not..." She said before he could interrupt "Like you think. I'm still having nightmares, he wakes me up and I'm so frightened I won't let him leave. He's looking after me Dad, after both of us."
Jacob took a moment to digest this information, "I'm sorry Sam, I didn't realise things were so bad – I can stay longer, help out. The Tok'ra can survive a few weeks without me."
"It's okay," Sam reassured him "We can manage, Janet, Daniel and Teal'c are dropping in regularly, we have help."
"If you're sure, because I can..."
"Dad," She warned with a smile, "We're okay, things haven't been easy but we're okay."
"At least let me stay the night" He compromised.
"Of course, now are you going to help me or not?" She indicated to Carmen.
"With the man I love." The words echoed round and round Jacob Carter's mind, whenever he thought he'd forgotten about them Selmak would helpfully remind him. "You think that if I want to that the Air Force could really stop me sleeping with the man I love?" is what she had said.
He wasn't blind, he'd noticed the attraction between his daughter and her CO, and on several occasions he'd almost said something to her. Not because he'd thought it was anything serious, but because he'd thought it was inappropriate flirting, nothing more. He'd not mentioned it because he trusted her, he didn't believe she was capable of jeopardising her career like that, and he trusted Jack O'Neill, trusted that he'd keep things in check. That was why he'd become so mad earlier, for a split second he'd felt betrayed, but then those words, "With the man I love." He'd never considered this...
"I like you Jack," He finally said later that evening.
"Thanks Jake." Jack said jokingly as he searched the fridge for a beer. Sam had gone to bed a few hours ago, and the two of them had stayed up watching a movie. "You're alright yourself," he added, again using humour to cover his embarrassment and confusion.
"I just needed you to know that." Jacob said slowly as Jack sat down.
Jack looked up confused, "Okay..."
"You'd make her happy, and to me, that's all that matters."
"Jacob..." Jack started, suddenly feeling very awkward.
"I know a lot of things stand in your way," Jacob turned, looking Jack straight in the eye "But I want you to know I won't be one of them." He stood up before Jack could respond.
"Good night Jack." He called, leaving Jack sitting in stunned silence. "You'd make a good son-in-law."
"What?" Jack nearly choked in shock, spitting beer all over the sofa in the process
"Night"
A/N: Let me know what you think, let me know that you're still out there after all this time, chapter 11 to follow shortly