1
It was the last night of their 5-day downtime. At Jack's invitation, SG-1 had joined him for fishing in Minnesota. After the war, after Daniel's loss and then his return, and after Jacob's passing, these four needed each other more than ever. Jack's cabin seemed like the best place to be.
The team was at a local roadhouse for steaks and loaded baked potatoes. Jack said that outside of O'Malley's, Tooty's was the best in his neck of Minnesota. Filled with locals that Friday night, many stopped by to say hello or nodded in Jack's direction. He may visit infrequently but he was well liked having formed enduring friendships over many years.
Daniel, Teal'c, and Sam were a little overwhelmed with the crowd. The friendly banter, the boisterous laughter, and the music enticing dancers to move together on the small dance floor was similar but somehow nicer than back home at O'Malley's. These were hardworking, decent folk who were unwinding after a long week of work. They were welcoming and warm to Jack's friends.
Somehow each of them knew that this was a pivotal time in their careers with Stargate Command. They just hadn't said anything to each other. They were kind of avoiding it. It might mean some big changes that maybe none of them were quite willing to face. Well, all except one big change.
For Jack, Carter's going fishing with him was a big, honkin' deal! He was stunned and awed and at one with it, all at the same time. Although she just lost her dad and broke off her engagement with Pete, he didn't see her journey with him to Minnesota as a rebound. She had, after all, come to his house that afternoon to tell him something, something important even, that she might never tell him if not then. She said that she had serious doubts about her wedding plans. But, Kerry walked out of the house and Carter was called to the SGC. Later, when he sat with her during her vigil for her dad as he lay dying, Jack embraced her and they seemed to rekindle their deep affection for each other. And here they are. Now.
They drove up together in his truck. Daniel and Teal'c flew up to Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport and rented a car to join them a day or two after. The drive was quiet but not awkward. There was a little tension but a good kind. He knew she broke up with Pete and she knew that he stopped dating Kerry. Their respective imaginations were making guesses that they wouldn't yet permit themselves to talk about together and out loud.
No matter what this turn of events might mean, they were still bound to the rules and regulations as officers in the same chain of command. Proud, honorable, and stubborn, they were each facing a personal and professional crossroads that would forever change them. Would they move forward together?
