Thanks for reading/reviewing for the last chapter.
Lots of Grace in this chapter!
The very beginning is a scene from Death Knell but the rest is all me.
Hope you like it!
The sound of machines beeping filled Carter's ears long before she opened her eyes. Her dad was standing next to her.
"Howdy kid. You were asleep for a long time," Jacob said trying to cover the tremble in his voice. "You gave me quite a scare."
"I'm sorry." She rasped.
"Jack told me what happened. I'm proud of you." He took a deep breath. "Look Sam, I may not be able to come around as much for the next little while."
"What do you mean?"
"Things kind of got screwed up while you were out there. The alliance is in trouble."
"I don't understand." She whispered.
"You don't need to know the details right now. Let's just say we're going our separate ways for a while. If I stay with the Tok'ra, I can at least try to mend some fences."
She looked at him. "You sure?" She asked. Right now, the last thing she wanted him to do was leave.
"I'm not ready to give up on this just yet." He said kissing her on the forehead. "Don't worry," he said with forced cheerfulness. "I'll be back... eventually."
"I'll miss you."
"I'll miss you too." He said watching her eyes close. "Bye Sammie," he whispered.
Å
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little star... How I wonder what you are...
Carter eyes flew open. "Grace?" she whispered.
The little girl appeared. "You've been asleep forever!" She complained.
"I'm sorry."
The girl sighed and sat next to her. "You're forgiven. This time."
"Who are you?" She asked.
Grace studied her for a moment. "Ask me no questions and I'll tell you no lies." She said finally.
"Cut to it Grace."
She cocked her head. "What do you mean?"
"Why are you here?"
A breeze played with the little girl's dress. "To help you," She said finally.
"Help me how?"
A spark of mischief entered the dancing brown eyes. "It's for me to know and you to find out."
"I don't think so bucko."
Grace laughed, a tinkling sound like chimes.
"So... what are you here to help me with?" She asked.
Grace shook her head. "I already said I couldn't tell you."
Sam sighed.
Å
A week later, she was allowed to go to her lab for a short period. Short being four hours. Carter grinned.Who knew how long she'd actually get to stay...
"What's that?" Grace asked curiously.
Carter laughed. "A device from P3R-233."
"What's it do?"
Sam shrugged. "I don't know, haven't tested it."
The little girl nodded thoughtfully. "Can we?"
Carter studied the object, "I believe the General said we had to allow Area 51 to test it. I was just running simulations to see if there was a power source in it. See, if there was..." She stopped at the glazed look in the child's eyes. "Grace?"
She took a deep breath. "I'll-I'll be ok... just... give me a minute."
Carter couldn't help but laugh. "Colonel O'Neill said that to me once."
Grace opened her mouth then snapped it shut. "You care for him?"
Carter dropped the piece of paper she had just picked up. "What?" She asked.
"Do you care for him?"
"I... I care for everyone on my team."
Grace frowned. "You KNOW that's not what I meant."
Carter shook her head. "Um... how about you... help me tidy up?"
Grace shook her head. "Boring!"
"Ok... you hungry?"
The girl shrugged. "I guess."
"Great! Why don't you-"
"I can't go with you to the commissary."
"Why not?" Sam asked.
Grace sighed. "No one can see me... but you." She stopped, "And a few other people."
Carter stared at her. "Why?"
Grace bit her lip. "I can't tell."
"Oh."
Her eyes brightened. "But you can bring me some!"
She laughed. "What do you want?"
Grace looked thoughtful. "Pumpkin Pie..."
Carter paused in the doorway." That's Colonel O'Neill's favorite."
"I know," the little girl said softly.
Sam turned to face her, "Grace-"
Grace sighed. "Don't even ask Sam."
Carter nodded. "Right."
Å
The lunch lady smiled as Sam hobbled into the commissary on her crutches "Major Carter!" She greeted, "What can I get for you?"
"Blue jello and a slice of pumpkin pie."
The lady's smile faltered. "Pumpkin pie?"
"Yeah."
"That's Colonel O'Neill's favorite."
"I am aware," She said between gritted teeth. The lady shrugged and gave her the two items. "You sure you can-"
"Carter!" Jack greeted. "Pie for me?"
"Actua-"
"Peachy! Goin' to your lab?"
"I-"
"I'll carry these for ya," He said taking her goblet of Jello and gesturing for her to go first. Carter was aware of the dozens of eyes on her.
"Thank you sir," She mumbled. For making me the newest victim of the rumor mill...
"Anytime Carter, anytime."
I hope you liked it!
Please update soon!