The Intergalactic Social Event of the Decade

Part 9

Sam stared up at the night sky. It was a clear night, but the light pollution in her neighborhood prevented her seeing many of the stars she knew would be there. She heard the door shut and knew Pete was coming out in search of her. He was entirely too clingy sometimes. Which was probably not an ideal thought to be having on the eve of their marriage.

"What are you doing out here, babe?"

"Looking at the stars."

He leaned over the back of her chair and wrapped his arms around her, "You'll soon leave me stranded here and be back out there. Can't we just enjoy the time we have together?" He kissed the side of her neck but she didn't respond to his advance. He sighed as he let go and sat down in the chair next to hers. He studied his fiance for a long while. She sat there in her pajamas with her knees pulled up against her chest and her arms wrapped around them. The shawl she had worn earlier that night was around her shoulders and one hand played idilly with the end. Her face turned up to the sky was expressionless. Sometimes as much as he tried he really didn't understand her. He glanced down at the table between them. There rested the necklace he'd seen General O'Neill give her. He picked it up and studied it. He vaguely recalled seeing the design before. He assumed it had something to do with the Stargate program. The necklace was exquisitely crafted. He fingered the pendant and turned it over to see the design there. It wasn't like anything he'd seen before. He thought it might be an inscription. "There's writing on the back."

"I know." She didn't look at him just continued to be lost in the darkness.

"What does it say?"

"It's in Ancient. I can't read Ancient."

"Oh, that's weird." He examined it more closely. The metal wasn't platinum, silver, white gold, or even titanium. "What's it made out of?"

"It's classified."

Pete dropped the necklace back on the table. Even her jewelry was classified. What next? He leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.

Sam flinched as she heard her necklace clatter on the glass of the table. She picked it up and wrapped it around her wrist as the general had shown her earlier. She pulled the shawl closer around her. Sam smiled slightly as she remembered what the guys had gone through to get it for her.

"Do you believe in fate?" Pete asked quietly though the sound of his voice made her jump a little.

"As a scientist- no," she replied still not looking at him.

"And as a woman?"

"I'm still a scientist. I can't separate the two. They're both who I am."

"I don't know Doctor Carter."

She glanced over at him and she realized that he didn't. She'd not shown him that part of her. "No, you don't."

"I'd like to meet her."

"I'm not sure you'd like her, Pete."

"Sam, I love you. I want to know all about you and love all of you."

"You're a good man, Pete. I probably don't deserve you," she told him with a little smile.

"Nah, I'm the one that doesn't deserve you," he grinned at her, happy that the distance he'd felt since coming onto the porch was dissipating.

"I'm glad you finally met Dad."

Pete's smile faded. "I don't think he really likes me." Sam's father had been a sore spot with him all night. The man had practically ignored him and his alien body-mate had insulted him.

"Don't be silly, Pete. He doesn't even know you yet."

"I don't think he wants to get to know me. Why else would he stay at General O'Neill's instead of with us?"

"I'm sure Dad and the General had a lot to talk about. The alliance-" Sam began before Pete cut her off.

"Sam, they were playing board games."

"That doesn't mean they still couldn't talk. Dad's been away for a long time."

"Exactly. He should have been with his daughter. In fact, I think General O'Neill is one of the reasons he doesn't like me."

"What do you mean?" she asked her tone was suddenly very icy.

"Let's face it, Sam. I didn't make the best first impression. You know the whole stalking you and almost screwing up your operation. I admit I fucked up. I don't blame any of them not liking me for that, but I thought after I helped you with Teal'c they might warm up to me."

"It takes a lot to earn the General's respect," she said quietly. "Trust me, I know. He thought I was an annoying geek until I took down a Mongol in a knife fight."

"So basically I need to become an intergalactic super hero before they accept me," he asked slightly exasperated.

"Pete, why does it matter what they think of you?"

"Because they're your friends and family. They mean a lot of you. I want them to like me."

"Just give them time."

"It's been a year since we started going out. I think all they'll ever do is barely tolerate me."

Sam didn't reply because she knew he was right.

"I talked to Cassie tonight," he said changing the subject slightly.

"What about?"

"I invited her to come stay with us over Thanksgiving break."

"And she agreed?"

"Yeah."

"Oh, Pete, that's wonderful!" She beamed at him and he felt his mood lift a little.

"I told her we'd have a big dinner. I thought could invite your father and friends."

"I hope we'll all be on world."

"That's what Cassie said. I guess they don't really celebrate Turkey Day on other planets, huh?"

"No." Sam was still smiling as she leaned over to kissed him. "Thanks, Pete."

"You know I'd do anything to make you happy, Sam." He stood up and stretched a little.

"I'm going to bed. You coming?"

"Yeah."

---

TBC