Carter leaned on the counter in front of her and peered into the mirror. For a moment she didn't recognize herself...something was different...
She turned her head slightly from one side to the other and then stood straight and chided herself for being silly.
She gave a quick once over at her make-up.
She hadn't planned to get dressed up originally, but the hunt for a suitable "dumping the boyfriend" outfit had turned into an all out surrender to the little black dress that hung in the back of her closet. She hadn't worn it in years, and coincidentally enough...the last time she wore it she had broken up with her then boyfriend too.
She let out a sigh and turned sideways to see her profile then tried to stand up straighter and twist her shoulders into submission...it was no use...she looked into the mirror again with disgust...she was wearing too much make-up and her hair just looked stupid...
She stared herself down in the mirror again.
"You're doing the right thing." She said giving her reflection a quick reassuring nod before walking out into the living room to make sure her purse had everything in it she would need for the night...lipstick? Drivers license? Mace-? She took the small canister out of her purse and laid it on the counter...she hadn't used this purse in a while evidently... actually... she hadn't used any purse in awhile ...
As Carter rummaged through the rest of the contents, the doorbell rang and she jumped. She shook her head for being so up tight and set down her purse before heading for the door.
Pete stood in the doorway with an oversized bouquet of flowers. She couldn't help but smile at him...
"Are you under there?" she asked pushing the flowers down slowly to see his face.
"Hey beautiful...you ready?" He said walking in and setting the flowers on the table in the foyer.
"Uhmm...yeah...just let me get my purse."She said turning for the counter.
"Everything alright?" He said picking up on her tension.
"Yeah—why?" she asked trying to smile through the pending heart wrenching evening.
"Bad day at the office huh?" He asked running his fingers through her hair and laying a kiss on her lips ever so gently.
"No...just busy..."
"Maybe I should tell that O'Neill guy to let you have some more time off?" He said smiling.
"Pete-"She pleaded, this was not going to be as easy as she had thought.
"Alright...have your secrets..." He said laying another kiss on her forehead.
He walked to the door and turned back to see her still in the same spot.
"Coming?" He asked motioning for the door.
"I can't do this." She said trying to keep her voice strong.
"What? Dinner?" He said suddenly confused.
"Pete, I love you---you know that---but I can't do this anymore..." she said getting off to a horrible start.
"Sam...we've been over this before..." he said walking back to her. "I know your job is dangerous-- I don't care. All I want is you at the end of the day...I want you to come home to me...that's all I've ever wanted."
He was saying all the right words... 'Bastard', she thought as she slid his hands off her shoulders and took a step back from him.
"Where is this coming from?" He said realizing this was more than a passing conversation as usual.
"Pete—"said trying to keep her thoughts together.
"Look—"He said taking control of the situation. "I love you Samantha Carter." He said taking her by the arms gently. He let his right hand slip into his pocket and pulled out a small box.
He held it between them. As her eyes focused on it...her eyes grew two sizes larger.
He opened the box with his one hand and turned it around for her to see the diamond engagement ring inside...
"This is why I came here tonight, it's why I've been so insistent on seeing you this week...the damn thing has been burning a hole in my hand for the last three days." He said moving his other hand to her chin. Lifting her eyes to meet his own, there was a seriousness in his eyes she'd never seen. "I want you to be my wife, come hell or high water."
She couldn't even speak; this was the last thing she expected to happen tonight. She knew Pete wasn't going to let her go easily...but this was just too much to take in.
He moved back from her and set the ring box on the counter behind her.
"Think about it...as long as you need." He said kissing her cheek.
And with that he was out the door.