Chapter 26 – Pretty in Pink

Early that evening, Sam came out into the hallway from her bedroom at Jack's house, holding out a hanger with a look of utter disdain on her face. "There is no way on God's green Earth that I am wearing this dress tonight Jack. I don't know why in the hell you bought in the first place!"

Jack tried hard to hold in his grin; opting for a serious expression to counteract his smile. "First of all, I'd prefer not to hear cuss words coming out of your mouth. It's disconcerting, to say the least. Second of all, I thought the dress might come in handy and I was right. General Hammond told me there was a good chance that another General would be joining us for dinner. If I'm going to wear a tie and jacket, you should wear a dress."

"But pink? I told you I don't wear pink; I never have and I never will!" she answered defiantly.

"It's not like I'm suggesting you wear it on base or anything. Just to the General's for a small, quiet dinner. You don't want to disappoint Hammond do you, especially if he has some big wig joining us?" Jack knew he had her there, but managed to keep his grin in check.

Sam looked at the dress again in disgust. Geez, he had the worst taste! "Fine, I'll wear the damned thing! But I swear Jack, if you make one comment..."

"Language," he reminded her. "My lips are sealed," he added. But as Sam turned away, he let a huge grin cross his face. She was going to look so adorable, all in frilly lace and bows, with a gap toothed grin and a lisp to boot! And he was going to have a little fun with it! Jack turned back and entered his own room. Much as he was looking forward to seeing her in her dress, he had to get himself ready as well! Plus he had to find his camera!

Sam threw the dress on the bed in revulsion. A pink frilly dress! What in God's name was he thinking? It was too bad she didn't have time to make some alterations. Wait a minute; that's exactly what she would do! If she could build a particle generator, she could certainly alter a girl's dress in fifteen minutes!

Sam peered out into the hallway. Jack's door was closed and the coast was clear. She hurried down the stairs into the kitchen and took out a large pair of shears from a drawer. She knew he had a needle and some thread in a drawer in one of the end tables in the living room. Sam quickly went into that room and found what she was looking for. She grinned to herself as she made her way back to her room. I might have to wear pink, she thought to herself, but it sure as hell wasn't going to be frilly!

Sam set to work, carefully snipping all the lace that surrounded the bottom of the dress and the two long sleeves. She then clipped off the rather large bow that was attached to the front, right in the middle of the upper chest area. Why anyone would put a bow right there was beyond her! Sam held up the dress to take a good look at it. Still too much pink! On a sudden inspiration, Sam turned the dress inside out and carefully clipped the seams that held the sleeves in place. In a matter of minutes, she turned the long sleeved monstrosity into a sleeveless sundress. It didn't look half bad! Sam took out the needle and thread and stitched up a hem around the now sleeveless arms. She didn't want loose threads to be hanging out or to have it come unraveled on her!

"Well, here goes nothing," she muttered to herself as she slipped the dress on over her head. Reaching back to zip it up was difficult, but there was no way that she would ask Jack for help. He was enjoying this just a little too much for her liking! Sam turned around and surveyed herself in the mirror. There was still way too much pink, but at least it wasn't so god-awful girly anymore. Sam had another stroke of genius and she went to the closet. Hanging in the closet was a small, leather jacket that Siler had given her when they had finished the diagnostic on the computer today. He had been rather embarrassed about the whole thing, but a bit proud as well. Sam had been stunned by his thoughtfulness and had graciously accepted the gift. It would look great over the dress and would subdue the garish pink quite a bit.

Sam grinned at herself in the mirror. The jacket did the trick. Sam zipped the jacket up half-way and stepped back to survey her overall appearance – she looked like a little biker babe! Not that it was the look she was going for, mind you, but at least now she looked a little more tough and not quite so girly! Now for her hair. Sam brushed it out, then twisted and rolled it into a loose chignon and fastened it with a clip that Cassie had bought for her at the mall. She thought the updo made her look older – at least ten!

Jack's pounding on the door brought her out of her musings. "Hey, are you about ready in there? We should leave soon if we want to get there on time."

"Just a second," she answered back. Sam rummaged around in the bottom of her closet and brought out the sandals she and Cassie had purchased at the Mall. Too bad she didn't have a pair of low leather boots to complete the outfit, she thought to herself. But these were the best she could do on short notice. Taking a deep breath and trying to look nonchalant, Sam opened the door and stepped into the hall. She was not displeased by Jack's reaction.

He stood there gaping at her, totally speechless. This was not the sweet looking little girl he was expecting to bring to the General's house. Instead it looked as if he was taking a girl who was only a few years away from riding off on the back of some guy's Harley! "What in the hell did you do Sam? That's not the dress you were holding just 15 minutes ago! You look like some damned rebel child!"

"Uh, uh; watch your language!" she admonished him. With a grin she added, "It's the same dress, just with a few little adjustments, that's all. Don't you like it?" She spun around to show him her outfit, even going so far as to unzip the jacket and slide it down her arms so he could see the now sleeveless version of the dress.

"How did you change that dress so fast? And who in the hell gave you that little leather jacket? I haven't seen it before." She was taking a little bit of the fun out this for him!

"Oh, just someone who has truly good taste in clothing. You know Jack, you really shouldn't purchase clothing for females. You're not very good at it." She brushed past him with a cheekt grin, glad to be the one who got the last word in for a change!

As they pulled up to the General's house, Jack looked into the rear view mirror and smiled. Sam had thrown him for a loop with her dress alteration skills, but he thought the overall effect was quite amazing. It was an outfit that fit better with her personality than the frilly pink dress had. Of course, he wasn't about to tell her that! She brought him out of his thoughts by asking him a question.

"So, do you know who this other General is that might be here tonight? And how are we going to explain me?" she wondered.

"Don't worry about it, Sam. General Hammond and I discussed it after the meeting. We've got everything covered," he answered with a smile. He helped her out of the truck and they walked up the sidewalk together.

"Shouldn't I know about your cover story? It does concern me you know." She frowned up at him. There was something he wasn't telling her; she just knew it!

Jack patted her on the head, "Don't worry your pretty little head about it Carter. Just enjoy the evening."

Sam gave him a glare and pulled away from him. Hands on her hips, she stated firmly, "I am not a puppy Jack! Don't pat me on the head! And another thing..."

She was cut off as the door opened, revealing a smiling General Hammond. His smile quickly abated when he noticed a somewhat irate Major glaring up at his 2IC. He turned to Jack and asked in a resigned voice, "Colonel, what have you done now?"

Jack tried to look innocent as he held out his hands. "Nothing Sir. Carter's just upset that I won't tell her about our discussion in your office this afternoon. Nothing serious. Say, have Daniel and Teal'c arrived?" he asked as he peered around the door.

"Not yet," answered the General.

"How about your other guest?" he asked, raising his eyebrows, then taking a quick glance down at Sam.

"As a matter of fact, he is here. He's waiting to meet both of you in the living room. Please, come in." General Hammond held the door open to admit them. He gave Jack a knowing smile as they passed each other.

"Can I take your jacket Major Carter?" General Hammond inquired as they stopped in the foyer. "By the way, you look lovely tonight. Siler was pretty proud of that jacket he found just for you."

"Siler?" Jack asked in disbelief, his head swiveling back and forth from Sam to the General.

Sam ignored him as she answered the General. "Thank you Sir. I like the jacket a lot. It was very sweet of him to think of me." She gave Jack a sideways look, then continued, "I'll think I'll keep it on, if it's all the same to you. It's part of the outfit."

"Of course. Please, come into the living room and meet the General. I'm sure you'll find lots to talk about!" Again, he shared a look with Jack that Sam caught this time. She narrowed her eyes in question at him, but Jack just gave her a grin and indicated that she should precede him into the living room.

Sam was still looking at Jack, trying to figure out what he was up to, when they entered the spacious living room. She heard a gasp and turned to face the man standing in the shadows by the window.

"Oh my God, is it really you Sammie?"

"Daddy?" Sam asked, a catch in her voice. "How did you...what are you..." she couldn't go on. Jacob Carter came toward her, a look of utter disbelief on his face. Even though George had told him what had happened to his baby girl, warned him about he appearance, he didn't fully believe him. Now the proof was right in front of his eyes. He crouched down in front of her and held out his arms. With tears in her eyes, Sam rushed into his arms and grabbed him around the neck. She buried her face in his neck, feeling secure in the familiar warmth of his embrace.

A/N: OK - so did you see that coming or was it a complete surprise?