15- Meritorious Service
44 hours. That's how long it had been since General Jacob Carter (Retired) had
scared the hell out of me and nearly died in my arms.
And to think I have been accused of being a drama queen… Thing is, this time I'm
not exaggerating what so ever; the man really *did* nearly die in my arms. The fact
that he's the dad of a woman I actually know makes the whole thing completely
surreal. That career as a world-class surgeon is *so* out. How do those guys do it?
I take a deep breath as I round the final corner towards the store.
It's 5:35 in the morning and not too surprisingly, I have now gone two nights
without a decent night's sleep. Wednesday night I didn't even try. I kept waking up
and checking my voice mail for any messages from Captain Sam. The next day I
just went through the motions. I had found out (through rather dubious,
underhanded means I admit) that Jacob Carter, Retired General of the United States
Air Force, survived the trip to CS General but was later moved to the military
hospital at his request. I took great comfort in the words 'at his request.'
But I could find nothing out from the military hospital. Zip.
I tried calling Sam twice more, but didn't bother to leave additional messages. Her
father was in the hospital for God's sake; if she had gotten my message she was
probably with him. And if she hadn't, then she would the moment she got home.
Neither Daniel nor Colonel Jack seemed to be at the base either (I only tried once
more) so I was pretty certain all of them were out gallivanting around the world
somewhere; maybe in the Middle East? It had to be someplace exotic in order for
Daniel's linguistic skills to come in handy. This is ridiculous Kira! I shake my head
and force myself to stop thinking about the whole thing. At least for the next five
minutes or so.
I am awfully glad it's so early in the morning and that I could probably find my way
to the store in my sleep. I let out a little sigh as I spy the familiar brick and glass
building; time to start earning my pay. Just as I am about to dismount, I realize
with surprise that there is someone standing outside the store. I am used to the odd
customer arriving a few minutes before the 6am opening, but seldom do I see
anyone this early. I frown slightly as I get off my bike and walk towards the blurred
image. Yes, I admit it; I cycle without my glasses. It isn't like I can't make out the
stoplights or street signs; it's just the finer details that are a bit blurred. What can I
say? I can afford a nice pair of normal glasses, but can't justify biker lenses. Have
you any idea how much those things cost?! And at 5:30 in the morning, a bicyclist
doesn't really want to ride about with the cold wind blowing through her eyes…
Luckily there really isn't anyone about to see me biking through town in my Uncle
Ray's Workman's Protection sample eyewear. The glasses (I *believe* they can be
considered glasses) were free and cover nearly half my face. Naturally the moment I
step off the bike, the glasses are thrown into my gear bag.
I am less than 20 feet away when I recognize who I'm looking at- Captain Sam. I
nearly stop in my tracks but realize there really are better options. I could blame my
lack of manners on lack of sleep, or the fact that it was so bloody early, but that
wasn't the reason why I suddenly found myself near mute. What the hell was I
going to say to her? What if her dad is dead and she's come here to yell at me?
"Hi Kira." Sam says somewhat shyly as she smiles slightly at my disheveled
appearance and bicycle. The fact that a) she was here and b) she wasn't crying told
me that her dad was alive. I suddenly found a very heavy weight had been lifted
from my shoulders. Now if I could just find my voice…
"I hope you don't mind my dropping by so early." Sam continued. She looked
slightly chilled standing there in a pair of jeans and dark gray sweater. A well-used
leather jacket was wrapped tightly across her waist. Absently I wondered how long
she had been waiting.
Come on Kira, you can do it. Quit staring at the lady like she's an alien and say
something!
"Not at all Sam." I say with obvious relief in my voice. "How's your dad?"
"That's what I wanted to talk with you about." Sam says guardedly shoving her
hands into her jacket. For the life of me, I can't read her face. "Can I come in for a
few minutes?"
"Sure." I say as I unlock the front door and hold it open so that Sam can walk
through first. My bike and I follow and I take a moment to stash it in the back room.
I quickly turn on the overhead lights and grab a till from the safe. The shop smells
rich and exotic and I realize that someone forgot to seal one of the coffee bins the
night before.
"I hope you don't mind talking while I ready the store for opening." I say as I set
down the till by the cash register and start pulling upside down chairs off the tables.
"I won't take up a lot of your time Kira." Out of the corner of my eye I
surreptitiously watch Captain Sam as I finish righting the chairs and start brewing
the first pots of coffee. I still can't quite figure out what's going on with her. She is
obviously very tired and I *know* her dad must have something to do with that.
But there's something else there. I just can't put my finger on it.
The coffee is on, the cash is counted and still Sam and I have yet to talk.
"Kira, come sit down for a second." I shake my head as I run hot water through the
espresso machine components.
"Standing's good." I say as I continue wiping down the espresso machine. I don't
know why I'm being like this. Sam is here to tell me what happened to her dad and
I desperately want to know. I am just petrified that it is something bad. But it can't
be right? I mean, Sam wouldn't be here if her dad was dying in a hospital bed
someplace.. would she?
"Kira- Sit." You know for a good-looking blonde lady, Sam seems to have picked up
that commanding voice thing pretty well. Absently I wonder if Colonel Jack had
anything to do with it. With a heavy sigh I pour Sam a cup of freshly brewed coffee
and grab myself a plastic container of orange juice.
"Its French Roast." I say setting the steaming cup of coffee down next to Sam.
"Daniel's favorite." Sam says with a smile as she breathes in the heady aroma. She
takes a sip, lets out a contented sign and looks at me oddly.
"You don't drink coffee Kira?" I shake my head.
"Weird, I know. But I do love the smell." Sam chuckles.
"Kira, you should see Daniel on long missions. He positively fantasizes about fresh-
brewed coffee! The longer we're in the field, the more frequent your name comes
up."
I couldn't help it, I suddenly found myself blushing. Daniel mentions my name while
'in the field'? Wow. I absorb that information for a heartbeat before I realize that I
haven't the foggiest idea where Daniel goes. What he really does up there in
Cheyenne Mountain. He goes on missions? Isn't that a military thing? Sam reads
my confused expression instantly.
"Sorry Kira, I can't tell you anything more than that." She says sincerely apologetic.
"Let me guess, it's classified." I say shaking my head in exasperation. Sam nods.
These military sorts are *so* secretive! Sometimes I feel like I'm in an X-Files
episode. Maybe even an extra in the damn series!
I had procrastinated long enough. "How's your dad Sam?" I say forcing myself to
look into Sam's eyes and not the wood grain of the table.
"He's really ok Kira." Sam says giving me a small smile. "It was touch and go for a
while there, but he's making a full recovery."
"Are you sure Sam? I mean, he was pretty sick yesterday. How can the doctors be
certain he'll be ok?" Sam cupped the ceramic coffee mug with both hands and
seemed to contemplate her answer.
"My dad has cancer Kira. He knew it was serious but didn't realize how serious until
he collapsed yesterday." Sam let out a small, strangled sound and quickly adjusted
her tenses. "Is. How serious the cancer is." I nod.
"Both Dad and I agree that you probably saved his life yesterday Kira." Sam says
looking at me with bright blue eyes. I could see that she was struggling to hold her
feelings in check as well.
"So if he was seriously sick with cancer yesterday, how can you be certain he's going
to be fine Sam?" I mentally kick myself for asking the question. I mean, maybe
Sam's in denial or something? Who am I to break her bubble?
"Dad agreed to undergo a radical cancer treatment yesterday afternoon." Sam said
sounding a little like she had been practicing that particular phrase. "The doctors
said that if he survived the…process.. most likely his cancer would quickly go into
remission." Sam smiled widely as she gave me the next bit of news. "He survived
Kira. Through unbelievably long odds, my dad survived. They're both going to be
just fine."
Both?
Again, Sam could see the look of question on my face and I could tell that she was
pissed with herself for letting that comment slip out. I tried to keep my face blank,
but knew I had failed miserably when Sam sighed and gave me some more details.
"Dad underwent the treatment with one other..person. It's totally top secret Kira,"
Sam says heatedly. "And I should never have mentioned her participation in the
experiment. I sincerely hope you keep that information to yourself."
"Of course Sam." I say with complete honesty. There's no way I'm going to go
blabbing around that some guy I saved is now a military guinea pig on cancer
research. Although come to think of it, I didn't know the military were into that sort
of thing.
"Words alone can't possibly thank you for what you did yesterday Kira, but I wanted
to personally thank you for saving my dad's life." Now I look down and study the
wood grain. Squiggly lines.
"Kira," Sam says again giving one of my hands a squeeze. I look up. "Dad is going
to be away recuperating for some time, but before he left, he asked me to give you
something." Sam reached into her coat pocket and pulled out a small dark blue box
and carefully opened it up. Inside lay a sun-shaped bronze medal with a star and
eagle etched into the background. It was attached to a crimson and white ribbon.
"Dad received this Meritorious Service Medal back in Vietnam." Sam gives an
unlady-like snort. "He has yet to tell me the whole story, but I know this medal is
awarded for outstanding non-combat meritorious achievement or service and it was
very important to him that you have it Kira." Sam pushes the open box towards me
and I lift the surprisingly heavy emblem out of it's velvety home.
"I can't possibly accept this Sam." I say in a hoarse voice. My God. This is too
much.
"You can Kira." Sam says simply. "Dad was adamant about it. This medal denotes
bravery and selflessness and we both feel this is what you have done. You saved his
life Kira, and for that both of us are forever in your debt." A rather large lump of
something had materialized in my throat and I swallow it painfully, still not certain if
I should accept such a gift.
"He really wants you to have this." Sam says closing my hand around the small
medal.
"You sure?" I asked again.
"Absolutely." We sit in silence for several long moments before Sam gives my
slightly shaking hand a squeeze and stands up. She points towards the clock. "I
think it's just about time for you to open."
"I guess so." I say standing myself. My eyes are still fixed pointedly on the small
medal in my hands.
"I should be going." Sam says and she walks towards the front door. I finally shake
myself out of my self-induced trance and call out.
"Sam?"
"Yeah?"
"Can you thank your dad for me?" A brief look of sadness flashes across her face
before she smiles.
"The next time I see him, I promise I will."
"Will he ever be back in Colorado Springs?"
"I hope so Kira." Sam says with emotion. I realize that Sam is at the end of her
rope both emotionally and physically. She must have been up all night with her dad
at the hospital. I wonder if she is heading home or back to work.
"If he ever is, could you bring him by the shop? I would love to thank him in
person."
"I promise to try Kira."
"Ok."
"Have a good day." Sam says as she opens the door and steps out into the cool
sunshine.
"I will now." I say as the door softly closes behind her. I'm still clutching the bronze
medal to my chest as the door opens again with my first customer. I quickly put the
prized object into my apron and greet my morning regular with a genuine large
smile.
It was going to be a good day.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A/N- I don't really know that much about military medals, but hope I did enough
research to nail the Meritorious Service medal down correctly. This was a hard
vignette to write as I was unsure how to wrap up the whole Kira/Jacob thing, but
recognized the need to do so. Hopefully this works. Special thank you to my beta-
reader Kath for helping to iron out some rough spots. Your advice was MUCH
appreciated girl.
Kira gets to meet both Teal'c AND Cassie in the next one. And it looks like it's going
to be damn funny. ~dcc
44 hours. That's how long it had been since General Jacob Carter (Retired) had
scared the hell out of me and nearly died in my arms.
And to think I have been accused of being a drama queen… Thing is, this time I'm
not exaggerating what so ever; the man really *did* nearly die in my arms. The fact
that he's the dad of a woman I actually know makes the whole thing completely
surreal. That career as a world-class surgeon is *so* out. How do those guys do it?
I take a deep breath as I round the final corner towards the store.
It's 5:35 in the morning and not too surprisingly, I have now gone two nights
without a decent night's sleep. Wednesday night I didn't even try. I kept waking up
and checking my voice mail for any messages from Captain Sam. The next day I
just went through the motions. I had found out (through rather dubious,
underhanded means I admit) that Jacob Carter, Retired General of the United States
Air Force, survived the trip to CS General but was later moved to the military
hospital at his request. I took great comfort in the words 'at his request.'
But I could find nothing out from the military hospital. Zip.
I tried calling Sam twice more, but didn't bother to leave additional messages. Her
father was in the hospital for God's sake; if she had gotten my message she was
probably with him. And if she hadn't, then she would the moment she got home.
Neither Daniel nor Colonel Jack seemed to be at the base either (I only tried once
more) so I was pretty certain all of them were out gallivanting around the world
somewhere; maybe in the Middle East? It had to be someplace exotic in order for
Daniel's linguistic skills to come in handy. This is ridiculous Kira! I shake my head
and force myself to stop thinking about the whole thing. At least for the next five
minutes or so.
I am awfully glad it's so early in the morning and that I could probably find my way
to the store in my sleep. I let out a little sigh as I spy the familiar brick and glass
building; time to start earning my pay. Just as I am about to dismount, I realize
with surprise that there is someone standing outside the store. I am used to the odd
customer arriving a few minutes before the 6am opening, but seldom do I see
anyone this early. I frown slightly as I get off my bike and walk towards the blurred
image. Yes, I admit it; I cycle without my glasses. It isn't like I can't make out the
stoplights or street signs; it's just the finer details that are a bit blurred. What can I
say? I can afford a nice pair of normal glasses, but can't justify biker lenses. Have
you any idea how much those things cost?! And at 5:30 in the morning, a bicyclist
doesn't really want to ride about with the cold wind blowing through her eyes…
Luckily there really isn't anyone about to see me biking through town in my Uncle
Ray's Workman's Protection sample eyewear. The glasses (I *believe* they can be
considered glasses) were free and cover nearly half my face. Naturally the moment I
step off the bike, the glasses are thrown into my gear bag.
I am less than 20 feet away when I recognize who I'm looking at- Captain Sam. I
nearly stop in my tracks but realize there really are better options. I could blame my
lack of manners on lack of sleep, or the fact that it was so bloody early, but that
wasn't the reason why I suddenly found myself near mute. What the hell was I
going to say to her? What if her dad is dead and she's come here to yell at me?
"Hi Kira." Sam says somewhat shyly as she smiles slightly at my disheveled
appearance and bicycle. The fact that a) she was here and b) she wasn't crying told
me that her dad was alive. I suddenly found a very heavy weight had been lifted
from my shoulders. Now if I could just find my voice…
"I hope you don't mind my dropping by so early." Sam continued. She looked
slightly chilled standing there in a pair of jeans and dark gray sweater. A well-used
leather jacket was wrapped tightly across her waist. Absently I wondered how long
she had been waiting.
Come on Kira, you can do it. Quit staring at the lady like she's an alien and say
something!
"Not at all Sam." I say with obvious relief in my voice. "How's your dad?"
"That's what I wanted to talk with you about." Sam says guardedly shoving her
hands into her jacket. For the life of me, I can't read her face. "Can I come in for a
few minutes?"
"Sure." I say as I unlock the front door and hold it open so that Sam can walk
through first. My bike and I follow and I take a moment to stash it in the back room.
I quickly turn on the overhead lights and grab a till from the safe. The shop smells
rich and exotic and I realize that someone forgot to seal one of the coffee bins the
night before.
"I hope you don't mind talking while I ready the store for opening." I say as I set
down the till by the cash register and start pulling upside down chairs off the tables.
"I won't take up a lot of your time Kira." Out of the corner of my eye I
surreptitiously watch Captain Sam as I finish righting the chairs and start brewing
the first pots of coffee. I still can't quite figure out what's going on with her. She is
obviously very tired and I *know* her dad must have something to do with that.
But there's something else there. I just can't put my finger on it.
The coffee is on, the cash is counted and still Sam and I have yet to talk.
"Kira, come sit down for a second." I shake my head as I run hot water through the
espresso machine components.
"Standing's good." I say as I continue wiping down the espresso machine. I don't
know why I'm being like this. Sam is here to tell me what happened to her dad and
I desperately want to know. I am just petrified that it is something bad. But it can't
be right? I mean, Sam wouldn't be here if her dad was dying in a hospital bed
someplace.. would she?
"Kira- Sit." You know for a good-looking blonde lady, Sam seems to have picked up
that commanding voice thing pretty well. Absently I wonder if Colonel Jack had
anything to do with it. With a heavy sigh I pour Sam a cup of freshly brewed coffee
and grab myself a plastic container of orange juice.
"Its French Roast." I say setting the steaming cup of coffee down next to Sam.
"Daniel's favorite." Sam says with a smile as she breathes in the heady aroma. She
takes a sip, lets out a contented sign and looks at me oddly.
"You don't drink coffee Kira?" I shake my head.
"Weird, I know. But I do love the smell." Sam chuckles.
"Kira, you should see Daniel on long missions. He positively fantasizes about fresh-
brewed coffee! The longer we're in the field, the more frequent your name comes
up."
I couldn't help it, I suddenly found myself blushing. Daniel mentions my name while
'in the field'? Wow. I absorb that information for a heartbeat before I realize that I
haven't the foggiest idea where Daniel goes. What he really does up there in
Cheyenne Mountain. He goes on missions? Isn't that a military thing? Sam reads
my confused expression instantly.
"Sorry Kira, I can't tell you anything more than that." She says sincerely apologetic.
"Let me guess, it's classified." I say shaking my head in exasperation. Sam nods.
These military sorts are *so* secretive! Sometimes I feel like I'm in an X-Files
episode. Maybe even an extra in the damn series!
I had procrastinated long enough. "How's your dad Sam?" I say forcing myself to
look into Sam's eyes and not the wood grain of the table.
"He's really ok Kira." Sam says giving me a small smile. "It was touch and go for a
while there, but he's making a full recovery."
"Are you sure Sam? I mean, he was pretty sick yesterday. How can the doctors be
certain he'll be ok?" Sam cupped the ceramic coffee mug with both hands and
seemed to contemplate her answer.
"My dad has cancer Kira. He knew it was serious but didn't realize how serious until
he collapsed yesterday." Sam let out a small, strangled sound and quickly adjusted
her tenses. "Is. How serious the cancer is." I nod.
"Both Dad and I agree that you probably saved his life yesterday Kira." Sam says
looking at me with bright blue eyes. I could see that she was struggling to hold her
feelings in check as well.
"So if he was seriously sick with cancer yesterday, how can you be certain he's going
to be fine Sam?" I mentally kick myself for asking the question. I mean, maybe
Sam's in denial or something? Who am I to break her bubble?
"Dad agreed to undergo a radical cancer treatment yesterday afternoon." Sam said
sounding a little like she had been practicing that particular phrase. "The doctors
said that if he survived the…process.. most likely his cancer would quickly go into
remission." Sam smiled widely as she gave me the next bit of news. "He survived
Kira. Through unbelievably long odds, my dad survived. They're both going to be
just fine."
Both?
Again, Sam could see the look of question on my face and I could tell that she was
pissed with herself for letting that comment slip out. I tried to keep my face blank,
but knew I had failed miserably when Sam sighed and gave me some more details.
"Dad underwent the treatment with one other..person. It's totally top secret Kira,"
Sam says heatedly. "And I should never have mentioned her participation in the
experiment. I sincerely hope you keep that information to yourself."
"Of course Sam." I say with complete honesty. There's no way I'm going to go
blabbing around that some guy I saved is now a military guinea pig on cancer
research. Although come to think of it, I didn't know the military were into that sort
of thing.
"Words alone can't possibly thank you for what you did yesterday Kira, but I wanted
to personally thank you for saving my dad's life." Now I look down and study the
wood grain. Squiggly lines.
"Kira," Sam says again giving one of my hands a squeeze. I look up. "Dad is going
to be away recuperating for some time, but before he left, he asked me to give you
something." Sam reached into her coat pocket and pulled out a small dark blue box
and carefully opened it up. Inside lay a sun-shaped bronze medal with a star and
eagle etched into the background. It was attached to a crimson and white ribbon.
"Dad received this Meritorious Service Medal back in Vietnam." Sam gives an
unlady-like snort. "He has yet to tell me the whole story, but I know this medal is
awarded for outstanding non-combat meritorious achievement or service and it was
very important to him that you have it Kira." Sam pushes the open box towards me
and I lift the surprisingly heavy emblem out of it's velvety home.
"I can't possibly accept this Sam." I say in a hoarse voice. My God. This is too
much.
"You can Kira." Sam says simply. "Dad was adamant about it. This medal denotes
bravery and selflessness and we both feel this is what you have done. You saved his
life Kira, and for that both of us are forever in your debt." A rather large lump of
something had materialized in my throat and I swallow it painfully, still not certain if
I should accept such a gift.
"He really wants you to have this." Sam says closing my hand around the small
medal.
"You sure?" I asked again.
"Absolutely." We sit in silence for several long moments before Sam gives my
slightly shaking hand a squeeze and stands up. She points towards the clock. "I
think it's just about time for you to open."
"I guess so." I say standing myself. My eyes are still fixed pointedly on the small
medal in my hands.
"I should be going." Sam says and she walks towards the front door. I finally shake
myself out of my self-induced trance and call out.
"Sam?"
"Yeah?"
"Can you thank your dad for me?" A brief look of sadness flashes across her face
before she smiles.
"The next time I see him, I promise I will."
"Will he ever be back in Colorado Springs?"
"I hope so Kira." Sam says with emotion. I realize that Sam is at the end of her
rope both emotionally and physically. She must have been up all night with her dad
at the hospital. I wonder if she is heading home or back to work.
"If he ever is, could you bring him by the shop? I would love to thank him in
person."
"I promise to try Kira."
"Ok."
"Have a good day." Sam says as she opens the door and steps out into the cool
sunshine.
"I will now." I say as the door softly closes behind her. I'm still clutching the bronze
medal to my chest as the door opens again with my first customer. I quickly put the
prized object into my apron and greet my morning regular with a genuine large
smile.
It was going to be a good day.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A/N- I don't really know that much about military medals, but hope I did enough
research to nail the Meritorious Service medal down correctly. This was a hard
vignette to write as I was unsure how to wrap up the whole Kira/Jacob thing, but
recognized the need to do so. Hopefully this works. Special thank you to my beta-
reader Kath for helping to iron out some rough spots. Your advice was MUCH
appreciated girl.
Kira gets to meet both Teal'c AND Cassie in the next one. And it looks like it's going
to be damn funny. ~dcc