Author: roseofthegate
A/N: Reviews are inspiration, though I am afraid that this chapter may be a let down to some of y'all. I love all the support y'all provide and well…I guess I'm just trying to tell y'all that I'm grateful. I'm sorry if you were under the impression I had abandoned this fic. My life just got really hectic and I didn't have time to type up the chapter. Thankfully, my life has slowed down just a little and just enough. I've also been working on a Star Trek: Enterprise/StarGate SG-1 cross over. It's still in its very early stages and will be and Action/Adventure. Just an FYI! Any thoughts are welcome. Also, sorry for the rambling, thanks to Missy and Hannah for beta-ing this!
Allison's Point of View
The next day I decided to retrieve Sam's belongings from the clutches of her soon to be ex-husband. I had been to see an attorney yesterday on her behalf and he'd been pretty optimistic about the whole thing. If it went without a hitch, the divorce would be completed in just under a year. In two weeks Sam and Shanahan would be legally separated.
Well, last night Sam made me a list of all the things she wanted. Today's Saturday, so the son of a bitch should be home. The attorney should have called and informed him that I would be around today. I walked up the drive to the porch and knocked politely on the door. A moment later an extremely curveous blonde that bore a resemblance to Sam who was clad in only a bathrobe, answered.
"Is Mr. Pete Shanahan here?" I asked politely.
"Yes. Come in, please." I entered and went to Sam's former living room. The woman when to find the rat. I could only imagine what he'd been doing last night.
He trudged down the stairs and when he saw me…well, let's just say he wasn't happy. "Major!" he spat. "Why on God's green earth are you here?" He was walking towards me. I stood up calmly and caught one of his swinging wrists. I deftly twisted it into a lock that was as painful as hell.
"I'm here to collect Sam's personal belongings. Her attorney called, right?" If that lawyer hadn't called…he'd better be saying his prayers!
"Yeah, he did," Pete forced out, beads of sweat forming on his upper lip.
"Are you going to behave now?" I was calm.
"Yeah."
"Do you swear?Because I swear, one problem and there's more of these painful locks I can put you in.Got it?"
"Yes, ma'am!" he answered hurriedly. "I packaged up her clothes already. Quite honestly, I'm glad to have you get her stuff…because I think can live without ever seeing her again!"
"Why?" I asked, the psychologist in me perked up and started analyzing this man who messed with my best friend.
"Because she married me, said she loved me, and yet her heart ALWAYS belonged to that O'Neill! All I wanted to do is settle down and have a family and all she every cared about is her work at…"
"Did you hit her?" I asked, pulling no punches.
"Yeah." He looked down, ashamed. "I spent a lot of time thinking about her and all the time she spent at the Complex…I guess I worked up so much anger…I was mad…I couldn't help it. I do care about her but I think this marriage is the mistake of my life. Our last fight was a real fight. She's…real tough. I think I only landed maybe two lucky hits on her in the entire fifteen minutes. You should have seen her…it was amazing! It doesn't surprise methat she's saves the—"
"Country," I interrupted firmly. Pete looked at me funny and then realization dawned on his face.
"…country so many times. A true fighter my ex is, a true fighter."
I nodded politely. So Sam had fought back! He must have been pretty good too, if he landed a blow or two. Hell, when Sam practiced her hand-to-hand combat, she kicked ass. She's beaten all the men in the facility at least twice over.
I stood up and went through the house gathering her items. Pete stayed in the living room as if he couldn't stand to see me take her stuff. I was about to leave when he called out, "Major!"
I turned and gestured for me to come back into the living room. "What is it?" I asked pointedly, wanting to leave.
"Look," he said. "I'm really sorry about what I did to Sam…I know that our marriage was an utter disaster…but I don't want my next one…if there is a next one, to go down the same way. Major, I know I need help and…"
I stared at him and then slowly said, "What type of help?" although I suspected that I knew exactly what he was asking for.
"I need help learning how to manage my anger."
I nodded. "There are a lot of people out there who distribute help like that for a living."
He looked down. "I know but…I was…I was hoping that you would help me. I completely understand if you say no, though."
I stared at him again, my mind racing. What the hell? Finally, after a few moments, I said, "Okay…but I refuse to even TRY to hide this from Sam, understand?"
He nodded and we sat down. He was facing me across the coffee table. "Describe the night of Sam and your last fight."
He inhaled deeply and began. "I had had a pretty good day at work. I came home expecting a loving wife and dinner. And there it was waiting for me. Sam had worked hard to make dinner…you know that cooking isn't one of her strong points." I nodded and he continued. "Well we were talking nonchalantly about little things when she casually mentioned that she was looking forward to going back to…work the next day. Major, you must understand, I don't know what came over me. I guess the anger of all the time she devoted to her work and all the time she spent there when she could have been with me…it just all came rushing over me. I went crazy. I yelled at her and told her that she spent way too much time at work and that if she had any sense, she would just resign her commission with the Air Force and let me provide for the family. Then…" he was ashamed, "I accused her of sleeping with her teammates and especially General O'Neill."
My mouth dropped open. I couldn't help it. "You what?" I asked in disbelief. Before he could answer, I kept speaking, "You accused her of doing something that she would die before she would do. Especially as his second-in-command!" I was calmer now that I had vented. "Who started it?"
"She threw her napkin down on and said, 'Don't expect to see me tomorrow.' She stalked out of the room to our room, getting her stuff. When she tried to leave, I blocked her way. She set her duffel down and said, 'Move out of my way, Pete.' I told her no and that she'd have to go through me to leave. She looked at me and then tried to get past. I shoved her away and it…escalated until I stormed off to a bar to get nice and drunk."
"And what did you feel like when you came back to an empty house?"
"Frustrated…angry…tired…glad she was gone. That's when I started realizing that we'd both made a big mistake."
I nodded. "Okay. That's all I have time for right now. I'll call you to schedule another appointment, okay?"
"Yeah. Thanks, Major," he said. "I really appreciate it."
I smiled benevolently and left.
"Daniel? Why did I agree to counsel him?" I was talking to my boyfriend on my cell phone, as I was grocery shopping. "Why? Sam's gonna kill me…God…"
"Listen, Aly. Sam's not going to kill you. She knows that what you're doing is going to be good for him and her ultimately."
I sighed. "What do you want for dinner tonight?"
"I don't know. Will you finally make me your grandmother's lasagna?"
"Daniel…what did I say about making that? It takes more than a couple hours notice!"
"I know. It was worth a try though. How about paella?"
"Sure. See you at six tonight."
"Okay. Aly, take it easy. Don't be too hard on yourself, okay?"
"I won't. I love you."
"I love you, too. Bye, sweetheart."
I hung up. Somehow talking to Daniel always makes everything come back into proportion. Of course Sam wouldn't kill me. She may be mad, but killing…no. I checked out and went home. From there I called her lab at the SGC. One ring, two rings….
A/N: Yes, I know I'm evil. I'm told that quite often. And now you know the routine. Review, please. I promise that the little purple button doesn't bite! Oh and guess what! Less than ONE week until THREADS! I can't wait. Ninety minutes of StarGate and on the advice a trusted friend; I will keep the tissue box near. Oh, for those of you wondering what the heck paella is,it's a Spanish dish made with rice, chicken, vegetables, and seafood. Now review, please!