THROUGH THE YEARS
a/n: Even though my dad was in the Airforce and I was born on an Airforce Base and spent every summer with my uncle, who was in the Army, I still have limited knowledge about the military. One thing I do remember is if your parent is in the military, when you turn like 13, you have to have a military ID to get on base. I also remember actually going to Wright-Patterson in the 80's. My uncle had to go there for a meeting and he took us all with him. I was still quite young, all I really remember was all the military aircraft!
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Chapter 3: Getting to Know You
After a restless night and very vivid dreams about a certain 16 year old, Jack dragged himself out of bed around 0600. After a cup of coffee and a nice, cold shower, Jack still couldn't get the feel of Sam's soft skin against his hand out of his head. So, slipping on a pair of neon-green and black spandex running pants and a "Spud MacKenzie" t-shirt with the sleeves cut off, Jack slipped on a sweatband and his running shoes and headed out for a run.
After a good run around the neighborhood, Jack was on his way back when he saw a man in an Air Force uniform get out of his car. Jack slowed down to get a better look at the man. Even from the short distance away, Jack could see the pins on his shoulder indicating a full-bird colonel. 'That must be Sam's dad!' Jack realized. He slowed down to a walk as he came closer to the man.
Col. Jacob Carter didn't miss the young man jogging down the street. He was fully aware he was being watched and when the runner slowed to a walk and headed towards Jacob, Jacob turned around and eyed the young man.
"Colonel." Jack acknowledged, coming to a stop in front of Jacob and standing straight.
Jacob raised his eyebrows at the young man.
"My mother told me there was a colonel on this street. "My name is Cadet Jonathon O'Neill, sir!" Jack told the officer, putting a little more emphasis on the sir.
"Ah, O'Neill! Yes, your mom told me her oldest son was at the Air Force Academy. How's it going for you, son?" Jacob asked, his body relaxing slightly after discovering who the young man was.
"Very well, sir!" Jack said, still standing somewhat at attention.
"Have you met my daughter yet? She, too, will be attending the Academy. She spends a lot of time at your house."
"Uh, yes, actually, she's there right now. She spent the night with my sister, Liz." Jack told the older man.
"Oh, good!" Jacob said. "I was out of town on business last night. I'm glad to know she wasn't home alone. So, O'Neill, how 'bout you come in and join me for a cup of coffee? You can update me on current events at the Academy."
"I would be honored, sir." Jack replied and followed the colonel into his house.
Jack entered the Carter home a bit apprehensively. At first, it seemed like a good idea to introduce himself to the colonel. But, once Jack started walking towards the house, thoughts of Sam came crashing back into his head. The way she smelled, that shy smile, those beautiful blue eyes, her soft skin, even the sweet sound of her voice! 'Crap! O'Neill, you do have it bad!' He mentally scolded himself.
Jack followed Col. Carter to the kitchen and took a seat in a chair as Jacob put on the coffee. "So, O'Neill, this is your last year at the Academy?" Jacob asked.
"Yes, sir!" Jack answered. "I'm heading off to flight school in May."
"Oh, yes! Flight school! That takes me back." Jacob replied, smiling.
Jack smiled back. The colonel seemed like a good man. Once the coffee finished brewing, Jack and Jacob poured themselves a cup and continued their conversation, both in good spirits.
Before long, the front door opened. "Dad! Your back!" Sam's voice yelled through the house.
Jack's face immediately paled. Seeing Sam, in her own home, was not something he was planning!
Jacob noticed Jack's demeanor change and filed it in the back of his mind for later. Standing up, he yelled for Sam to join them in the kitchen.
Sam walked in and her eyes immediately took in the young man in her kitchen. "Jack!" She said in surprise, her cheeks turning a slight shade of pink.
"Good morning, Sam. I ran into your dad while I was out jogging." Jack explained in a weak voice.
Jacob watched the exchange between the two and started to wonder what was going on between them. "Sammy! Did you have a nice night?"
"Dad!" Sam said, and walked over and hugged her dad. "Yeah, I went with the O'Neill's to the football game and then stayed the night with Liz." She told him, trying to avoid looking at Jack.
"Good, I'm glad you had fun! Jack was just telling me about his days at the Academy. You two should get together…."
"WHAT?" Jack and Sam both yelped together.
Jacob scrutinized the two for several seconds. "You two should get together and discuss the Academy. Jack can fill you in on some of the classes!" Jacob finished.
"OH! Yeah, that's a good idea." Sam managed to get out, still avoiding Jack's gaze, something that did not pass by the observant colonel.
"Uh, well. My parents are probably wondering where I ran off to. I should probably be getting home. Sam, anything you want to know about the Academy, just ask" He said, softly, meeting the young girls gaze for the first time since she entered the kitchen.
"Okay." Sam replied softly.
"Well, then. Sir, thank you for the coffee." Jack said, heading out of the kitchen.
Jacob followed the cadet to the door and said his good-bye.
Jack was ashamed at himself over his attraction to Sam. No matter what he tried, he just couldn't get her out of his head! He knew she was way too young for him, but every time he saw her, he couldn't help but have very impure thoughts! He knew if he spent anymore time with Sam he would have a hard time not seducing her, so he made up his mind to stay as far away from her as he could. For the following week, whenever he thought Sam might be in the vicinity, Jack would leave the house and go out. He had met a few people his age in the neighborhood and spent a lot of time with them.
As much as he tried, he still couldn't get Sam out of his head. He could have sworn when he came back home late Thursday night, he could still smell her in his house. He knew she was over after school tutoring Kelly, but she would have left hours ago. The fact he could still smell her in the air, unnerved him greatly.
By Saturday, Jack was in a bad mood. Avoiding Sam all week had not done good things for his demeanor. And, he still had one more day to go before he headed back to the Academy!
"Jack." His mom, started, when he lugged himself into the front room. "Why don't you go out and do something? You've been moping around the house all morning."
"I've been out all week! But, I am bored! Why don't you take me out and spoil me?" He teased his mom.
"Oh, honey, you know I would love to, but I have a lot of work to do. Maybe you should ask one of your brothers or sisters to go out with you." She suggested.
Kelly, who was also in the room, spoke up. "Sean and Robby are getting ready to leave for a hockey meeting and Liz is at Donna's house."
"What about you, squirt." Jack asked his little sister as she tied her shoes.
"I'm on my way to gymnastics." She informed him, standing up and grabbing the duffle bag by the door.
"You know, you have a military ID. You should go over to Wright-Patterson. They have a museum and everything!" Jack's mom said.
"Yeah, I suppose I could do that." Jack replied, debating about leaving the house and touring an Air Force Base. Just then, there was a knock on the door.
Looking up, Jack's mom could see Sam standing at the open door. "Come on in, Samantha." She called towards the front door.
Sam opened the door and walked in. Seeing Jack in the front room with Mrs. O'Neill and Kelly made Sam's cheeks flush. She was well aware he had been avoiding her all week and assumed he was brushing her off due to all the teasing he received. "Uh, hi! Is Liz home?" Sam asked, trying to avoid Jack's gaze.
"No, sweetie, sorry. She stayed the night with Donna after the football game last night." Maggie told the young woman.
Sam's disappointment showed on her face. "Oh, okay then, I was just bored at home and thought I'd come down and see what she was doing. I-I guess I'll just go back home and read or something."
"Um, if you want, uh, I was going to head over to Wright-Patterson. Maybe go through the museum…….if you'd like to come……I'd enjoy the company." Jack managed to get out.
"Oh, well, I don't want to get in your way or anything. I'm used to finding stuff to do when I'm bored. You don't have to invite me…."
Jack cut her off. "No, Sam. I'd really like you to go with me."
"Really?" Sam asked, still not quite believing him.
"YES! Please go with me! You probably already know the place by heart." He said, smiling at her while he teased her.
Sam smiled back. "I do." She admitted.
Jack smiled. "Well then, let's go!" He moved over and rested his hand on Sam's back as he led her towards the door.
"You kids have fun!" Maggie O'Neill called after them as they walked out.
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Jack pulled up to the entrance of the base. Leaning over Jack, Sam looked at the sergeant manning the station. "Hi, Sergeant!"
"Hello, Miss Carter. What brings you to the base today?" The young sergeant asked, smiling at Sam.
"Cadet O'Neill and I are here to tour the museum." She told him. Showing him their ID's.
"Miss Carter, Miss Carter!" He said, shaking his head at her jokingly. "You are aware there is public parking for the museum, right?"
"I know, but then what's the point in having military passes?" She asked, smiling a gorgeous smile up at the sergeant.
"Alright! Just, stop in and see your dad or something, so it doesn't look like I just let you in for a good parking spot!"
"Of course, Sergeant. His office was our first stop." She said, smiling one more time at the sergeant before sitting back in her own seat on the other side of the car.
The sergeant opened the gate so the car could enter. Jack looked over at Sam after they passed the gate and laughed. "At least now I know your charm works on everyone."
"What? What are you talking about?" Sam asked.
"Sam, you flirted with that sergeant to get him to let us in." He told her.
"What? I wasn't flirting. I was just talking to him. I see him all the time when I come here. He knew who I was!" Sam remarked, surprised that Jack thought she was flirting.
"I know. He's definitely smitten with you! He was flirting with you, too!" Jack told her, still finding the situation funny, but only because Sam was with him and not the sergeant.
"He was? I didn't notice. He always talks to me when I come here." Sam told him.
"Like I said, he likes you, Sam." Jack laughed at her again. Surprised that she was completely unaware of the affect she had on men.
Jack found a parking spot and the two headed into the building where Col. Carter's office was. After visiting with Sam's dad for a few minutes, and getting the lecture about him taking care of his little girl while she was with him, the two moved on to the museum.
As they entered the museum, Jack looked at Sam out of the corner of his eye. When she noticed his stare, she looked at him with a funny expression on her face. "You don't look like your dad." He said to her.
"No, I look like my mom." She told him with a sad look flashing across her face.
"My mom told me about your mom's car accident." Jack said somberly.
"Yeah…….I miss her." Sam said in a low voice.
Jack reached over and grabbed Sam's hand while they walked, comforting her the best way he knew how.
After a few minutes, Sam stopped and looked at him. "What else did she tell you?"
"Just that you could have graduated last year, but you took her death hard."
Sam snorted. "That's an understatement." She said, in a low voice.
"Really? Want to tell me about it?" He asked her in a soft tone.
Sam started walking again, not letting go of Jack's hand. "I don't know. There's kind of a lot to tell. I really don't like talking about it."
"Well, we have the whole museum to walk still. But, if you don't want to talk about it, don't feel like you have to." He quietly told her.
Sam was quiet for a few minutes, debating on telling Jack of her haunted past or not. "My brother Mark and I blamed my dad. He was supposed to pick her up that day." Sam stopped talking and closed her eyes as if she was recalling the memory in her head. "Mark took it worse than me. He started going out and taking me with him. We started hanging out with the wrong people. Partying. Drinking…….Other stuff." She added, looking away from Jack in shame.
"Drugs?" He asked her softly.
"No, I never did drugs. I could have though. They were in my reach." She said, squeezing his hand a little. "I did drink a lot, though. I stopped going to school. Got arrested."
"You got arrested!" Jack asked, shocked.
"Well, not by real police or anything. It was on base. Just some MP's. It was when we were still stationed in California. That was the last straw, though. My dad put in for a transfer and set up family counseling. My brother, Mark wouldn't go to counseling, but I went. I realized that it wasn't my dad's fault that my mom was killed and I was causing his own grief to intensify by blaming him. I eventually let go of all my anger and forgave him for something that wasn't, technically, his fault. Shortly after that, we were transferred here. Mark refused to come. He's attending Cal Tech, now." Sam finished, looking at one of the display cases they were standing in front of, embarrassed about what she had just shared with Jack.
Jack couldn't take his eyes off of her after her confession. He felt his heart grow a little more as she so completely filled it. He squeezed her hand and started rubbing her palm with his thumb. Sam looked up at him and he smiled a loving smile at her that warmed her body from head to toe.
They continued to talk as they made their way through the museum, Jack realized how much of an idiot he was for avoiding her all week and regretted only having a day left to spend with her.
When they were still wandering the museum at dinner time, Sam told him there was a small café nearby, so they stopped and ate dinner. "I'm sorry I embarrassed you with your brothers and all." Sam said softly, when she had finished eating.
"What are you talking about?" Jack asked, shocked at Sam's apology.
"It's okay. I-I understand." Sam said, lowering her gaze to her plate. "I shouldn't have put my arm around you. I don't blame you for avoiding me. You were just warm and, and you made me feel good. I'm sorry. I didn't know they were going to tease you…"
"Sam." Jack said in such a soft way, Sam had to lift her head. "I was embarrassed, but not about you. You are so beautiful, Sam. I was honored to be able to sit next to you and hold you at that game. I really enjoyed the time I spent with you." Jack took Sam's hand that was sitting on the table next to her empty plate. "I'm sorry and I wish like hell I hadn't avoided you all week, but, the truth is, I like you. And, I'm way too old for you! I thought if I avoided you I could stop myself from doing something we would regret. I'm the one who is sorry. Will you forgive me?"
"There is nothing to forgive." Sam told him, holding his gaze and shyly smiling at him.
Jack smiled back and squeezed her hand. "Besides, I'm the envy of all the boys at your school, now. Apparently, my 'groping' you at the football game has caused me fame at a school I've never even attended!" Jack told her, smiling widely now.
"Yeah, right! Why would they care what we did at a football game." Sam laughed, thinking Jack was joking.
"No, I'm serious, Sam. The boys you go to school with. They don't think you're a geek. I think they probably all have crushes on you."
"Yeah, right!" Sam snorted, not believing Jack at all.
"I'm not kidding! The only reason they're not all lined up outside your door is because they all think you're too good for them. According to Sean, your combination of beauty and brains, intimidates them."
"Really?" Sam asked, wondering if it was possible that Jack was speaking the truth.
"Oh, yes. I wouldn't lie to you. Of course, I kind of threatened them and told them they were right and you were too good for them. So, don't be surprised if they don't start flocking to your door anytime soon."
Sam laughed. Shortly after, they decided to call it a day and head back home.
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The next day, Jack sadly kissed and hugged his family before his dad drove him to his awaiting plane. He kept looking in the direction of Sam's house, but, she never appeared.
Lizzie saw Jack constantly searching out the street and finally decided to break the news to him. "Jack, Sam called this morning while you were on a run. Her dad woke up this morning and decided to spend some quality-time with her and took her off on a father-daughter day. She said to tell you good-bye and she looks forward to seeing you at Christmas."
"Oh." Jack said in obvious disappointment. "Tell her I said good-bye then, okay?" Jack asked his sister before giving her one more quick hug and hopping into the family station wagon. Jack was melancholy the entire way back to Colorado Springs.
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a/n: Okay, I know neon spandex wasn't popular until like the mid to late 80's, but as soon as I thought of them, I laughed so hard, I had to put them in! So, just pretend Jack had one of the first pair!