disclaimer as before. Stargate is not mine. If it was I would own a Gore-tex raincoat.
Thanks so much for the reviews!
I've been told this part is sad, so here's your warning.
It was now a mere month and a half to the wedding. She had done almost everything on her own, and she was still waiting for Sam to return her calls on the invitations. She had called a week ago, the day of the cake tasting fiasco, and was getting edgier by the day. Pete's overly helpful message that all the invitations were gorgeous did nothing to sooth her nerves. It was a Sunday, so she hoped that the general would be able to give her some information, however vague, as to Sam's possible return.
Walking as quickly as she could in the long hobble skirt, she readjusted the collar to her suit and pranced up the steps to his abode. Tapping lightly, she looked into the window to try and spot him. He opened the door half-dressed, with his hair sticking up in every direction possible. He rubbed one eye, as he stretched his frame against the side of the door.
"What can I do you for you?"
What could he do for her? She had no idea. He looked down at his lack of apparel and sighed, motioning for her to come in. He quickly disappeared behind a wall, still speaking.
"Well, we both seem that have that quick, keen sense of timing. I suppose you're here about Carter. Good timing. I was about to head back to base."
He reemerged in uniform, dress downs, but still a uniform. He opened the fridge, but thought the better of it and closed the slightly smelly device.
"General. I don't know what you are doing down there, but I am deeply concerned for Sam's well being."
He slowly nodded, seeming to translate and comprehend simultaneously.
"Well, Carter's fine."
She let out a breath she didn't know she was holding and looked back to him for clarification.
"If she's fine, why has she been out of contact for over six days?"
That flustered him, and he searched his vast wealth of BS resources for an answer. Looking down at her, he must have figured she wouldn't go for any of it, because he shrugged in response and quickly looked for something to busy himself with. She followed him, not about to be ignored.
"Is she in the mountain?"
Figuring that it was harmless to answer, he nodded. She paused and began to pace in his small kitchen, wondering what on earth could keep Sam inside the mountain. Either the earth was going to blow up, she figured, or a member of her family needed her help. If the world was going to blow up, she was sure that the general would not be here lounging in his sweats. The only logical conclusion she could come up with was that the missing Jacob was the reason for her disappearance. She gasped at the possibility, hoping that one of her oldest and dearest allies was still well.
"General, could you grant me access to see her?"
"Excuse me?"
Telling him that she needed to see her due to wedding issues, seemed ridiculous. He seemed fair enough with keeping secrets, and if he was in charge of the mountain it wouldn't be a breach of security for her to let him in. Well, not completely, but at least give him a good excuse. Flinging out her cell phone, she dialed a number while the confused man looked on. Repeating her code, the phone line connected and a familiar voice greeted her.
"Charles, how are you doing?" He greeted her and told her about his usual business busyness and the charming time had had with his wife in the Bahamas. She missed him, a lot and smiled as he recalled a particular incident where he fell into a pool at the resort. Acknowledging the confused General with a small hand gesture, she knew she had to get down to business.
"Listen, Charles, I would love to chat forever, but I can't. Sadly, this is not a social call." He laughed, stating that if it was he hoped she would use a less secure line. "Standing right in front of me is a General Jack O'Neill, and I need to be granted clearance to his base. Could you talk to him for me?"
Charles was unhappy with the announcement, but after some prodding he agreed. A few strokes on the keyboard later, he laughed again, saying that she already had clearance. Cheyenne Mountain was apparently in her line of work. Nice. Then she and Sam could actually have a decent talk about their real jobs. That is if Sam had the clearance to know what she was doing. Hanging up, after wishing him her best, she turned to the man in front of her.
"Could you give me a ride?"
The confusion quickly passed as she pulled out a security clearance card that looked much like his own. He nodded, and the both walked to the garage.
"So, not a private citizen?"
There was a good bit of a leer in his tone. She scoffed and straightened the fickle material. Yeah, right. Oh crap, he would probably tell Sam and in the middle of planning a wedding, the last thing she needed was accusation.
"General," she began tentatively. "I would prefer it if we kept my clearance between the two of us."
He smiled wryly. Of course she would, just like he would like his little secret kept. They pulled into the base in relative silence, each taking out their card to show the armed guards. Once in the elevator, they both fidgeted and glanced around at the small space.
"You must be incredibly uncomfortable."
No kidding. She could barely move or breathe. She eyed his BDUs and grumbled internally, wishing she had a pair to don.
"I could get you a change of clothes.."
Yeah and give away her position and have Sam ask a million questions, right. That was so not going to happen, as much as she wished it would. She shook her head curtly and avoided her instinct to slap him when he chuckled. As the elevator doors opened, his grin disappeared and was replaced with a harsher more militaristic tone.
"I've cleared the area, but you are still confined to this floor. If you need to be escorted to the top, one of the officers would be glad to join you."
"I'm sure they would." She muttered, happy he was putting on a show for her, and annoyed that he was acting superior. She liked the casual version better, and she was sure Sam would agree. He opened the door to the infirmary and motioned for her to enter.
Hunched over a bed was Sam, collapsed from exhaustion and with tears still in her eyes. Just as she had expected, in the bed was none other than her dear Jacob. Seeing the strong man hooked up to all the wires and machines nearly brought tears to her eyes. His eyes twitched as he opened them, blinking at first to check to see if she was a vision.
"Kate?"
She lowered herself into a chair opposite Sam, and took his free hand.
"Hello Jacob."
He smiled and rubbed her hand, clearly the only physical exertion he was capable of. The tears were now threatening to ruin her mascara, so she took in a sharp breath to fend off the onslaught. He eyed her dress and smiled.
"Still pretending to be normal?"
"One can always try."
His eyes sifted through a thousand happy memories, before his face became shadowed again.
"What are you doing here?"
"I'm here to see you, silly." She smiled, knowing full well that was not what he had meant.
"Just here to see me?"
She nodded, trying to convince him as best she could. He let her off and believed her for a change.
"Sam tells me she's getting married."
She nodded again, still sniffing and trying to contain her emotions.
"Tell me about him." He asked as she fell deeper back into despair, realizing that she would have to be his eyes and ears now.
"Well, you'd hate him." She finally let out. He chuckled at the old familiar line, his eyes sparkling for her to continue. "He's fat and blonde and acts like a baby." The tears were now winning their mutiny and she struggled even more to keep their numbers minimal. He held her hand closer, coaxing her to go on. "Oh," She choked on another tear, "but he loves her so very much. More than any other I've seen."
He smiled, seeming content with that answer, and shifted his view back to the ceiling. She regained some composure with his eyes now out of view, and looked over to see him peacefully resting. Not able to take it any more she softly pried her hand away and fled to the hall. Sure it was empty, she collapsed against the wall in tears. Wishing for it all to just end. She had lost so many loved ones, her parents, her husband, her baby and now the only man who had always been there to care for her. It just wasn't fair. She needed to leave, but idiotically she had hitched a ride with the General. Sure that she could hotwire Sam's car, she fled for the safety of the elevator, sliding her card and brushing past the three men who were exiting.
Once within her own four walls, she sank into the floor in the foyer. Inertia allowed the door to click behind her and she sat on the cold wood surface, pondering the meaning of her life. She needed to run, run and get away from it all. Changing quickly from her ruined suit to a jogging suit, she didn't bother to lock the door as she took off into the cold February air. Unknown hours later, she returned and put on a kettle. Walking into the living room, she nearly screamed as Pete's familiar face looked at her anxiously. Of course, she had left the door open.
"I was hoping you would know." His voice came out choppy and full of concern. She made her way back into the kitchen, knowing he would follow and poured two cups. She didn't give a damn if he didn't like tea, he was going to drink it. Offering him a cup, he took it and continued to look at her for any hint.
"You've been out every time I've tried to see you and I don't have your cell number." He paused, taking in her overly distraught face. "It's Sam, isn't it." He took a sip. "I've tried to call her all week; she's normally only gone a few days."
She nodded, not really listening, hoping the tea would calm down her nerves. They were frazzled enough before he showed up. His wording became more distraught as he collapsed on the table in tears for some unknown reason. Oh Lord, what had she nodded to again?
"Pete," He didn't respond. She smacked him on the side of the face, enjoying it a bit too much. He jerked upward, fondling the side of his face that was now bright red. "Pete, Sam's fine. It's her father."
He looked relieved, which pissed her off to no end, before looking depressed again. "I've never met him"
She got up pouring herself another cup. "And it's a good thing too."
He laughed softly, acknowledging that if he was anything like her it was a good thing. It was an ironic time for laughter, but it fit somehow. A familiar looking SUV pulled up and a familiar set of three men emerged. Great, here come the last moment police. She finished off the last drop of her cup, before taking a defensive stance at the front door. It was like looking at a modern version of the three stooges. From the overly concerned expressions on their faces, she knew that these were the men she had passed in the elevator.
"So you can hotwire a car."
It was meant to break the tension and it worked. Surrounded by four men in sweat soaked apparel was not her idea of a good time, but it seemed she had no option. All three were let in and more tea was made. Suddenly, with Jacob's life in the balance she didn't care if her cover was blown. Wanting comfort more than security, she changed into her husband's old sweats and rolled them over at the waist. The man really had been far too tall. Not even bothering to fix her damp hair, she headed back into the kitchen and got out some more teacups.
All four men sat awkwardly in the living room, as she came out with the hot beverage. It became apparent to her that there was an aura of animosity between the three and the one. She smiled as she handed out the cups, noting the umpteenth time that men had squabbled over her friend. Sitting half perched on the arm of the couch, she took a sip as the men eyed her appearance.
Pete spoke first, anxious to hear about his darling's condition. "How's Sam doing?"
The general threw him a look, much like her own, a combination of what do you think and oh please. Pete took on a defensive position, clearly indicating that he was intent on getting an answer.
"Well, her father's dying. How do you think she's doing?"
The overly sarcastic comment came from the mouth of the geek, who was eyeing Pete with more than a little annoyance. Murray was the only one that was enjoying her tea. As he finished off the cup, he offered her a small head bow and she smiled. Well, she had won one over. Getting up to fill her cup again, she couldn't help but play on the tension.
"I can tell you boys get along splendidly. This is going to be the most exciting wedding party ever." She accentuated the ever as she walked into the kitchen.
Steeping more of the splendid beverage, she didn't even bother to turn to address the man who had followed her. "More tea?" He asked drolly. How observant, she thought. At least it gave her something to do. A warm tingle began to form on her lower back as she realized her tattoo must be getting eyed. She turned, crossed her hands over her chest and looked at him sternly. His eyes averted and he went back into commando mode.
"Carter sent us. They both want to see you."
She nodded, waiting for the rest of the information. When he didn't offer, she asked.
"The General normally comes to fetch her things?" She paused, allowing her words to take full effect. Unfortunately it didn't clear up her opinion as to which option it was. All this pondering was going on for far too long. He, so far, was just as good as she was at keeping a straight face. It was time to change the subject and stop staring at each other. "And what about boy wonder here?"
His eyebrows rose as he looked in the direction of Pete, the wonder boy. Who didn't have clearance. She hoped. She didn't want Jacob's last view of the world to be a dopey man who was planning on marrying his daughter. Well, this could be fun.
"He's not authorized to visit the base."
She nodded, grateful for that at least. The kettle was done and she poured herself another cup, allowing the steam to clear up her sinuses. Looking over at the watching man, she pulled out another cup and handed it to him.
"You could get to like it." She teased. He cautiously eyed the tea, before taking a small sip. They drank in silence, as some form of argument broke out between the geek and the boy wonder. Well, it hadn't been as boring as she had thought. They both set down their empty cups and turned to go break up the petty disagreement.