(A/N: the little squiggly line stands for thought process, looks like this: >> )

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Alternate Reality Eleven

Colonel Samantha Carter's thoughts were brimming with astronomical equations and random medleys of reports she needed to file and mission briefs as she briskly walked the halls of the SGC, heading for her lab.

With her promotion, she hadn't been able to do too much technical research lately, and there was certain technology that nobody on base except her could understand in the right capacity.

>>Daniel needs to decipher those markings on the stones from PX4-278, Teal'c wants me to talk to General Mackenzie about giving him some vacation time to visit his son, Lord only knows what Jack has been up to lately and I'm tired of trying to keep tabs on him…The effects of neutralizing those electric energies in the metallic substance we found on P29-8X3 have so far proven fruitless, but finding the cause of consistent responses to rudimentary elements could be useful if I ever get a chance to sit down and actual look at the thing today…I need to finish that report from our last mission and file the necessary paperwork concerning our recent negotiations with the inhabitants of PV7-2N3…>>

A pair of footsteps falling in beside the thoughtful Colonel did nothing to interrupt her frantic mind as she contemplated the stresses of the day that awaited her.

"You really should take a break"

"Right, Jack"

>>We have a briefing in four hours, were departing for a supposedly non-hostile planet, but you can never trust the MALP these days, the last two times we were sent harmless images we ended up walking into a battlefield, the Jaffa and Tokra are getting pretty restless and I doubt they'll last much longer before breaking into an all out war…The Goa'uld haven't been playing very nicely either, and as much as I hate to think about it, the Trust are causing us a million and one problems as well…SG-3 is on downtime because Major Frederick got shot, they said they found some subtle nuclear properties in the plant life on the last planet they visited, I'd love to have been able to test it but it got shipped out too soon… Janet's been nagging me to get some rest, she's threatening to sedate me…>>

"Being second in command of the whole base must suck"

"Sometimes"

>>Jack must not have anything to do, but it's no surprise, we haven't found very much use for his negotiation skills lately…Four hours till the briefing? I could get paperwork done, but then I wont have time to test those energy anomalies…I should grab a cup of coffee, I haven't fallen asleep since the day before yesterday, I'll sleep when the war's over... Janet was brought a new anti-virus from the Tokra to study, it's supposed to make one immune to radiation, it's been perplexing her and she's going to need my help eventually, I can see it in her face that she despises asking me when I'm already juggling so much but she'll need to sooner or latter…We're short on medical staff and Mackenzie isn't doing a thing about it… sometimes I think we could've gotten a better replacement but there are too many people out there who want this program shut down to give us anyone like General Hammond who'd fight them at every turn…>>

"You need caffeine"

"Yes"

>>Oh, my blessed lab, how I've missed you…Now, first I'll finish the report, work on that metal substance for a while, draw up those papers, then I might have enough time to sneak in some research…What's this?>>

"Coffee, drink"

"Thanks"

>>He's sweet. Anticipating my needs. He always does that, too many years working together, and he's a civilian…wait a minute…he was supposed to take the day off…he has never come into work on his day off before…>>

"Sam"

"Hm?"

"Marry me?"

"Okay"

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(A/N: Oooo, my muse has been nice to me)