They never questioned a thing! She was headed to Jack's office without having been asked more then 'how are you this morning'. She walked right past Walter and knocked. There was no answer but she opened the door and peaked inside, just in case he was busy or absorbed in a game. His office was empty but the lights were on.
"He said he was going to Dr. Jackson's lab to make sure he ate breakfast." Walter stepped past her and placed a folder on General O'Neill's desk.
"Thanks." Sam backed away and headed towards Daniel's lab. It was a quick trip; few people arrived this early so the elevators were essentially free for her use. The door to Daniel's lab was cracked open and light was floating out into the hall. Sam paused to listen before pushing the door open and walking inside. Daniel was hunched over his desk. He had a pencil in his mouth, another behind his ear, and a third in his hand furiously scribbling notes. Sam grinned at the site. This is how she liked to remember Daniel. Daniel felt her presence and looked up. Her gaze surprised him and internally threw him a bit off balance.
"Morning, Sam." Daniel straightened up and took the pencil out of his mouth before he spoke.
"You're looking good, Daniel." Daniel's eyebrows met in the middle of his forehead as he pondered her statement.
"Well, thanks. I guess working all night on this translation works for me." Daniel glanced down at his notebook and back at Sam, showing his confusion. Sam walked across the room and reached out to touch his shoulder. "Are you ok, Sam?"
"I'm fine Daniel." He didn't look too sure of her answer. "I swear, I'm fine." Sam smiled broader as she squeezed his arm. The sound of Jack's voice prompted Sam to turn towards the door. Jack and Teal'c walked in as Jack was trying to explain why a hockey player would want to end up in the penalty box.
"I still do not understand this strategy, O'Neill. In battle it would not make sense."
"It's not a battle T. It's a game." Teal'c frowned and stepped in behind Jack.
"Well good morning, Daniel. Carter! The gang's all here. I hope this doesn't mean you pulled another all-nighter like Daniel. I swear you two have to stop acting like freshman one day." Sam smiled and her face glowed with barely restrained exuberance.
"Morning, General." Sam continued to smile. Jack looked at Daniel and Teal'c before looking at Sam again.
"Are you ok this morning, Carter?"
"That's what I asked!" Daniel raised his hand towards Sam to emphasize his point.
"I'm fine." Jack squinted his eyes and tilted his head.
"You just seem so...happy." He wanted to also say she looked tired, older somehow, but he knew that wouldn't go over well.
"And there's something wrong with happy...sir?" Sam's beaming smile continued, getting a little bigger, if that was possible.
"I guess not. Everybody ready for breakfast?" Jack walked out the door with his 'posse' following like little ducks. Sam sat beside Jack and across from Daniel at breakfast. She didn't eat much because she spent so much time staring at Jack and Daniel. They were both getting nervous under her gaze. Jack almost jumped out of his chair when her finger deliberately brushed along the outside of his leg. She dipped her head and smiled as he recovered from his shock.
"Something wrong Jack?" Daniel said as he looked over at Jack with wide eyes.
"Nope." Jack shook his head and looked down at his waffle, stuffing an extra large piece in his mouth. After breakfast they all headed back to Daniel's lab, Sam listening to the banter Jack and Daniel were enjoying. They'd been back in the lab for just over five minutes when a security breach alert was announced. Jack moved over to the phone but Sam was faster.
"Carter, move. I gotta call security."
"I have a favor I need to ask you." Jack reached around her to the phone but she grabbed his wrist.
"Later, Carter. This could be an emergency." Jack pulled his arm but Sam didn't let go.
"When you take the job in Washington promise me you'll..."
"Washington? Jack, what's she talking about?" Daniel's look accused Jack of holding out on them.
"Not now! I have to call security!" Jack reached out with his unrestrained arm, took hold of Sam's arm and pulled. She used both arms to stop him from using the phone. Teal'c tensed and move towards them, waiting for a signal from Jack before interfering.
"Promise me you'll wear a bulletproof vest. Promise!" Jack starred blankly at her as if he didn't understand. "A bullet proof vest, Jack! Promise me!" The security alert was still blaring and Walter could be heard above the ringing requesting General O'Neill to call the security desk on level three. Jack looked at Teal'c who stepped behind Sam, securing her arms to her sides and releasing Jack from her grip. She gave in easily. Daniel was thoroughly confused and stepped closer to Sam.
"A bullet proof vest in Washington? Why Sam?" Sam hung her head and didn't answer Daniel's question. Jack didn't say much into the phone for the first few minutes.
"Yeah, she's here." There was a pause while he kept his eyes on Sam. "I understand and I agree. I'll bring her and met you on sixteen." Jack hung up the phone.
"Her? What's this about Jack?" Jack turned so his whole body was towards Sam and Teal'c.
"I'm not sure yet, Daniel, but I think she is, aren't you." Jack walked to Sam and lifted her face. He sucked in a breath when he saw her tears.
"Promise me, Jack. I did all this for you...for us. Promise me." Something about the desperation in her eyes made him let go and step back.
"Take her to a holding cell on level sixteen until we can get this straightened out."
"Until we get what straightened out?" Daniel's hands flew up in the air as he stepped next to Jack and huffed.
"Colonel Samantha Carter just tried to check in. The problem is she already checked in this morning. Somehow we have two Carter's and as helpful as that might have been a few times I still need an explanation." Jack tightened his jaw muscles, a sure sign of his frustration, as Teal'c moved Sam towards the door. Daniel silently followed along, not sure what to ask.