The Collective Years
3: Thanksgiving
PhDelicious

They grew up together, but will they grow old together?

Disclaimer: Not mine, but if the check ever clears….

A/N: This takes place about 1 year before 'The Visit' but isn't mentioned in that story. I thought I'd throw in a little more angst before we got to the happy together chapter.

Sam

I guess this wasn't exactly the best choice of movie.

Sam, Jack, Mark and an extended group of friends were currently the only people in the theater, which was a very good thing considering that not a single one of them was currently paying any attention to the onscreen reunion of Tom Cruise and Kelly McGillis.

The evening had started out well enough, as it had taken less than 10 minutes for everyone to agree on what movie to go see. When they'd arrived at the theater the group had taken advantage of the space. Jack and his girlfriend Laria had chosen to sit in the very front. Sam was sitting with her best friend Cassie on one side of her and her boyfriend Jonas on the other, about midway back in the theater. Mark and T had Daniel boxed in a few rows behind that. Sam had been enjoying the movie and the feel of Jonas's thumb rubbing over the back of her hand until Daniel's sobs had become impossible to ignore.

Now the sobs had died down and Jack was huddled with Mark and T around Daniel while Jonas, Cassie and Laria leaned against the theater's wall. Sam perched on the last seat in the guys' row facing the others.

"What's going on with Daniel?" Cassie whispered.

Sam sighed. She didn't really want to answer and betray Mark's confidence, but given how bad things were going…

"The one year anniversary of Sharon's death is today."

"Sharon?"

This time Jonas voiced the obvious question.

"Daniel's high school sweet heart….car accident…she was on her way to pick Daniel up for Thanksgiving dinner with her family."

Sam gave an extended answer, anticipating her friends' next few questions.

"How sad."

The comment from Laria caused Sam to roll her eyes.

Oh please. I can't believe she hasn't heard this before. She goes to school with them. She's dating Jack. Even if she didn't know Daniel last year, how can she not have noticed that he's been more withdrawn the past weeks? I noticed and I only really know Daniel through Mark and Jack's stories.

Laria sighed and slumped further back against the wall.

I guess she's anxious to get going. I bet Jonas and Cassie are too.

Sam approached the group of guys and placed a hand on Jack's shoulder. She raised an eyebrow in silent query when he looked at her. Jack shrugged, shook his head, and returned his attention to Daniel.

Apparently this is going to take a while. There's really not much I can do around here, but I don't want to leave the guys alone. I suppose I could leave Laria with them, but that'd probably be worse. Samantha Carter, be nice! There is absolutely nothing wrong with Laria. Yeah Right! Then why can't you stand her?...You have no claim on Jack.

"Sam?"

Cassie's soft question interrupted her thoughts.

"Jonas…would you mind taking Cassie and Laria home, back to Jack's…whatever?"

"Ummm…sure. I guess….It's not really out of my way or anything. You're staying?"

"Yeah. I want to be here just in case…"

"All right. Have a good Thanksgiving. We still on for Friday night?"

"Yep."

Jonas leaned in to kiss Sam goodbye. At the last moment she turned her face so he only got her cheek.

"Take care baby," Jonas whispered in her ear.

"You too."

He pulled back and gestured for Cassie and Laria to precede him out of the theater. Sam watched the credits roll across the screen for a few moments as she collected her thoughts and braced herself to deal with Daniel.

I can't believe she didn't even make a token protest about staying for Jack. What a bitch! What does he see in her?

Jack

Jack's butt was going numb. Perching on the back of an old movie theater seat was not the most comfortable place to be. But since Mark and T occupied the seats to either side of his distraught friend it was the only place he could go while retaining the ability to maintain physical and eye contact with Daniel as necessary.

Damn it! I was really hoping this wouldn't happen. Guess we shouldn't have picked a movie with a rather major character death.

A flood of relief rushed through Jack as he noticed Laria leaving out of the corner of his eye.

She's really not a bad person, but she lives in her own little world most of the time, and she doesn't really get Daniel. I'm not sure I could have handled her and this breakdown right now. I should thank Samantha for her tact later. I'm impressed at how quickly she picked up on all this.

Jack spared a weary smile for Sam as she came to perch beside him, barely squeezing between Mark's legs and the row of seats in front of him. Daniel didn't break down very often anymore but when he did it was exhausting for everyone involved. Jack knew, from what Daniel had told him about the good times with Sharon that the relationship between the two had been a classic example of the fiery passion reserved for first loves; the kind that comes almost solely from hearts as yet unbroken. It was something that Jack envied his friend. To have had the chance at something so marvelous, so pure and untainted, was a rare gift even if it had ended tragically and Jack was sure someday Daniel would look back and consider it worth it. But right now Daniel was a mess and there was no way he was going to leave his friend to deal with things alone.

Even so it's good that Samantha's here. The fact that she understands, but is distant enough to stay grounded when necessary. I think they're about to kick us out of the theater.

The fact that the theater lights had been turned back on was merely the first signal of the outside world's imposition. The feel of Sam leaning next to him was another. The sound of the doors opening was a third. Sam left the perch she'd taken up after Laria and the others had gone home in order to head off the attendant. Jack watched their hushed conversation while continuing to pat Daniel's knee. He could tell by the look on Sam's face that they were going to have to leave soon.

Sam

Crap! How am I supposed to pull this off? Well at least he's not sobbing loudly anymore.

Sam shuffled back down the aisle to the guys.

"Guys we have five minutes to clear the theater, and they're going to start cleaning in two. So if anyone has a suggestion now's the time."

The three guys surrounding Daniel looked at her blankly. Sam sighed.

Time for plan B.

"Mark, take T and go pull the car out front. Jack, give me a little space please."

Sam waited as each of the guys silently considered her orders. They all seemed to reach their decision simultaneously and soon she was relatively alone with Daniel. Sam plopped herself down next to him in the chair Mark had recently vacated and studied Daniel carefully. He was hunched over in his seat, elbows resting on his knees, and his face planted firmly in his hands making it difficult to see the tears streaming down his cheeks. Their glistening tracks and the quiet sniffle in Daniel's breathing were the only indicators of what was truly happening.

Here goes…

Sam reached out and grasped the wrist closest to her, tugging Daniel's hand from his face. He drooped a little more but otherwise there was no response to her actions. Her grip on his wrist shifted so that their fingers were intertwined. With her other hand Sam knocked the remaining hand away and cupped Daniel's chin.

At least he's not fighting me.

Once she had a firm grip, Sam slipped off the chair and moved to face Daniel and forced him to look at her.

"Daniel, look at me," she coaxed. "We have to leave here now. I need you to get up and come with me so that we can go some place more suitable."

Jack

He hadn't been sure that Sam would be able to do anything with Daniel. After all they hadn't been able to help and surely after a year of being good friends with Daniel and dealing with the initial aftermath of Sharon's death, they'd know what to do by now. Sam had only met Daniel a few days ago. He couldn't hear what Sam was saying but something she was doing was working. Daniel's head had risen slightly and he appeared to be focusing on Sam.

Maybe it's cause she's a woman. God she's amazing. Insanely smart, quick witted, personable, considerate, and intuitively empathic. Not to mention Smokin! Down Jack! She's only 16! Besides, you're supposed to be focusing on Daniel right now.

Jack did a double take. Somehow Sam had gotten Daniel standing and she was staggering slightly under his weight, despite the fact that he wasn't much larger than her. Jack could see Daniel's legs shaking as the pair made their way towards him with some difficulty. When they'd cleared the seats Jack maneuvered everyone so that Daniel was between himself and Sam with one arm around his shoulder and the other around Sam's waist. Jack and Sam stoically ignored the looks they received as they walked Daniel out of the theater, while Daniel remained oblivious. Luckily Mark and T had the car ready and the doors opened when the threesome walked out into the cold night air.

"So what's the plan?"

"I don't know Mark. Let's just start by getting out of here. Any more bright ideas Sam?"

Please don't say home. I can't handle Laria right now. She'll jump me as soon as I walk in the door. And I am so Not in the mood.

"How bout the Tower? I haven't had the chance to give back the keys yet."

Not a bad idea.

Jack caught Mark's gaze in the rearview mirror and shrugged.

"Sounds good to me Sis. Someone should call home so nobody freaks."

Jack sighed.

"I'll call. My mom can call yours."

"The Tower it is."

Sam

After using her keys to let them into the Church Sam had left the boys to head up to the refurbished bell tower and headed down into the kitchen to grab snacks and drinks. She pulled some plastics cups from one cabinet and a bag of chips from another. Rummaging through the refrigerator had yielded two bottles of soda. Sam grabbed the bottles, turned from the fridge and promptly dropped them on the floor as her hands flew up in shock.

Holy Shi…How did he get so close without me noticing?

Sam was now standing nose to nose with Jack, his hands resting on the countertop and the fridge door boxing her in, her heart racing. As she tried to calm her breathing, Jack crouched down and retrieved the soda. He rose smoothly and slowly in front of her maintaining eye contact as his body brushed hers.

Oh…wow…that's…distracting.

They stood barely touching, staring at each other for long moments. Sam was still shaking, but it was no longer from fear.

Kiss me Jack. Please. Jonas never makes me feel like this. Whatever She does for you I'll learn to do it better. Please.

But she didn't speak and when he made no move she sighed and dropped her eyes.

"Anything else in there? We probably don't want to be opening these for a while."

Jack's teasing comment broke the tension and brought a smile to Sam's lips.

"Guess not. Boy you startled me. You shouldn't sneak up on people like that!"

Sam took the soda bottles from Jack's hands and returned them to the fridge. Instead she grabbed a third bottle and a pitcher of water.

"Sorry. Just wanted to see if you were going to need help bringing things upstairs."

"And you couldn't have made just a tiny bit of noise to let me know you were coming?"

Sam stuck her tongue out at Jack, nodded to the cups and chips and headed for the stairs.

"Make yourself useful and grab some napkins before you leave."

Jack

Jack was lost in thought as he followed Sam up the stairs to the Tower, well at least the part of him that wasn't focused on her ass, conveniently at eye level, was. He really had wanted to kiss her, to take the adrenaline rush she'd been feeling and change it into something else, something more.

So close. So pretty. So perfect. So NOT possible. Especially not in a church. What are you thinking!

It had been that last thought and the mantra that had been playing in his head all night that had kept him from acting.

She has a boyfriend. She has a boyfriend.

Even with all that it had been a near thing.

Good thing she didn't ask me why I snuck up on her. I'm not sure she would have taken my response too well. 'I wanted to get as close to you as possible,' probably wouldn't have been a big hit. Or maybe I'm wrong…she didn't calm as quickly as I would have expected. I swear she's putting a little extra swing into this stair climbing thing. Too bad you have to go home to Laria you idiot. At least she won't mind taking care of you. That girl has a one track mind.

Sam had reached the top of the stairs and turned a corner, removing herself from Jack's line of sight.

Hey, bring that back! Ssshh! What if Carter can tell what you're thinking? He'll kick your ass!

Jack rounded the corner himself and smiled wistfully at the sight before him. Each of the guys had taken up residence on their own couch, leaving Jack and Sam their choice of small folding chairs around the table or floor cushions. Mark was sprawled along his couch flipping channels on the muted tv. Daniel was lying on his back staring blankly at the ceiling, tear tracks still evident on his cheeks. T sat upright in the middle of his couch legs tucked up under him in a meditative pose.

Does he have to do that on the last couch left? I wonder if I can get him onto the floor so I can share the couch with Samantha. Maybe you can get him to shrink the couch while you're at it, eh?

In the end it didn't matter because Sam had set the sodas down on the table and gone to sit on the floor leaning up against Daniel's couch with her head tipped back next to his.

Darn it! How come she has to be so caring? Oh please, that's one of the reasons why you like her. What's she doing now? Is that a cell phone? Damn she's good!

Sam

"Daniel you need to call them. I'm sure they're worried about you and I'm certain you'll feel better after. Please."

Sam held her cell phone up in Daniel's line of sight. She could feel the other guys watching them covertly.

Please let this work. Please let this work.

She tried not to sigh audibly as Daniel took the phone from her hand. He turned the phone over and over several times before flipping it open and entering a number. He paused again before hitting send. Sam turned around and did it for him. Moments later Daniel spoke into the thick silence.

"Hi. It's me."

Sam rose from the floor and gestured for the others to follow her to the far side of the room. There were a few floor cushions piled over there, out of the way, and Sam sat down on top of them.

Jack

Jack and Mark followed Sam to give Daniel some privacy. By unspoken agreement T stayed close in case he was needed. At first Jack was unsure where to sit, but the depressed hunch of Sam's shoulders as she sat decided for him. He sat down next to her and tucked her head onto his shoulder.

"You did good today Samantha."

"Yeah. Good thinking Sammie. I was starting to worry about Daniel."

"Is this why he came home with you guys for Thanksgiving?"

As Sam expected, Mark answered her question. Of the two guys he was closer to Daniel, while Jack was closer to T.

"He's always said that her family felt more like family to him than his did. He didn't think he could face her parents on the anniversary. I think he feels guilty since she was driving to see him when it happened. I hope talking to them helps."

"So how'd the rest of the crew end up here too?"

Jack answered this time.

"Well the break's not really long enough for T to justify going home. Laria's here cause her parent's are visiting her sister in Africa for the month and I felt bad making her stay at school."

Shouldn't have bothered…I'd much rather have you than her.

Jack's hand stroked up and down Sam's arm, keeping her close.

"So I noticed you had Jonas drive the other girls home. Everything all right with you two?"

Shit! Boyfriend!

Jack's hand stilled at Mark's question. He started to lean back from Sam but she just snuggled her head deeper into his shoulder.

"We're fine. We're going Christmas shopping on Friday and then he's got some diner thing planned."

"Guy's going shopping with you on Black Friday…ballsy move. I hope he's got plenty of patience."

Sam rolled her eyes at Jack.

"Well he does spend most of his free time with me and Cassie. On top of that he's got two sisters. I'd say he's got plenty of practice."

"I'm sure you'll have a fantastic time."

Cause shopping together in horrible crowds is soo much fun.

"We're taking something we'd both be doing anyways and making it more fun by doing it together. Got a problem with that Jack?"

You're doing it with him and not me.

"Nope. Enjoy your date with your girlfriend."

This time Sam whirled on him.

Oh shit! Did I just say that out loud? I'm so dead now.

"Look Jackass…just because your girlfriend is a blithering idiot with no people skills doesn't give you the right to rag on my relationship with Jonas."

"Oh she's got plenty of people skills Samantha. She's got skills you've never even considered, which isn't surprising now that I've met your boyfriend. You didn't even kiss him good night."

Their voices had become so loud that they'd pulled Daniel's attention away from his phone conversation, but neither of them noticed.

"Well you weren't exactly showering Laria with affection earlier Jack. I saw you sigh in relief when she left."

"You were making me nervous. Besides…"

Shit can't say that out loud. Can not tell Samantha you would have been picturing her instead of Laria. Especially not in front of Carter.

Jack shut his eyes and drew a deep breath.

"I'm going for a walk."

He stood and left the room. T blocked the door as Sam moved to follow.

Sam

Blocked from the doorway Sam turned back into the room and began to pace in small circles.

"What the HELL was that Sammie!"

"Shit Mark. I don't know. One minute it was nice. I was relaxed. Then he started harping on Jonas and I…I just snapped. I don't know."

Sam threw her arms up in the air and flopped down on the empty couch.

"Blame it on hormones or something. That's what most women do."

It finally registered with Sam that Daniel had hung up her phone and was now watching her closely.

"Oh God. I'm sorry Daniel. I didn't mean to…"

"It's all right Sam. I'm going to call them again tomorrow. Actually it kinda helped. You two gave me something else to worry about. But if you don't mind I'm about ready to crash. Could we call it a night?"

"Sure."

Mark and T nodded their agreement.

"Now all we need to do is find Jack. Mark why don't you go with T and I'll go with Sam since you two are the ones that know your way around here?"

"Fine. Meet out at the car in 15 even if you haven't found him. We can regroup from there."

oOo

"You know…Sharon and I always used to have stupid fights like that before we got together."

"Really?"

"Yep. Over the dumbest things. One time we had this huge throw down over the fact that I'd sat with some girl, I can't even remember her name, on the bus ride back from a fieldtrip instead of sitting with Sharon. Our first date was my way of apologizing."

"That's very sweet, and thanks for trying to make me feel less awful, but I don't think Jack sees me that way."

"He's probably just scared of Mark."

"But they're best friends."

"Exactly. Give him some time. He'll figure it out. So how bout this Jonas guy?"

"He's nice. We're good friends, but I dunno…"

"Which is why Jack's comments stung so much. By the way, your comments about Laria were right on too. I can't stand her. Hey isn't that Jack?"

Daniel pointed to a lone figure sitting in one of the small offices looking out into the small enclosed garden.

"Don't know who else would be here."

"You go talk to him Sam. I'll wait here."

Darn it. I was hoping to avoid this. I wonder what he's thinking. I hope he's not too mad at me.

"Hey."

Jack didn't move a muscle.

"I'm sorry Jack. What I said up there…it was none of my business. You were just kidding around…I shouldn't have made it personal. Daniel's ready to go home now. How bout we just call it a night and deal with it later if we have to?"

Still silent, Jack rose and walked around Sam to Daniel.

"I'm glad your doing better."

Jack gave Daniel a quick hug, complete with back pat and then stepped out of the room.

oOo

Jack didn't speak again on the ride home. As everyone climbed out of the car into the Carter's driveway Sam snuck a hopeful glance at him. When he wouldn't meet her eye she sighed and started towards the house. Just as she was about to follow the others inside she heard him call her name.

"Samantha…"

She turned on the front porch.

"It's not just your fault. I'm sorry for pushing. I was worried about Daniel and I took it out on you. If Jonas makes you happy that's all that matters. Good night."

I'm starting to think he doesn't make me nearly as happy as you would. Damn it.

A/N 2: A completely irrelevant little, well not so little, piece. Not really what I wanted to write when I sat down to do this chapter, but it's what came out. Let me know what you think.