BookWorm:37 You know, I'm kind of incorporating your ideas. I'm afraid I can't bring Anise into this though - I need her for later.
MasterJediJ: Hey, well, sorry 'bout that. Kind of late to change it. But hey, how else am I supposed to get rid of the guy? I hope you still like the story.
StargateFan: It's kind of angsty, but... you'll see. Unfortunately, I was unable to add the scene I really wanted to do this chapter, so it's in the next chapter... lol.
warriorqueen: Ha ha, I live in... uh... FanFic land... you'll never find me...
Thanks to you all for reviewing!
And, cheers!
WARNING: If you like Pete, I am afraid you will NOT like this chapter.
She sat up. "PETE?" she squeaked. "How the hell did you get in here?"
Pete Shanahan, the Stalker and a--hole as Cassie called him, smiled. "I got clearance."
"How?"
"I vouched for him," Jack mumbled.
Carter's eyes widened. "YOU sir?"
"It was a LOT of trouble, but anything for you."
The Major shifted uncomfortably. Why did Pete always say such embarrassing things in public? She darted another glance at Jack. Why had he allowed him to be on base? The 'guys' had made it clear they didn't like it. Painfully clear. Teal'c had avoided him the whole time he was on the base and had refused point blank to shake hands with him. Speaking of Teal'c...
The large Jaffa hurried in with an armful of presents. "O'Neill-" he stopped abruptly. He stared at Pete for a second then slowly placed his presents under the tree. Giving Carter a stiff bow, he stalked out of the infirmary.
"What's eatin' him?" Pete demanded. "Guy is creepy."
Jack clenched his fists. The only reason this guy wasn't human jelly was because Carter liked him. He could still hear the sadness in her voice when she said it probably wasn't going to work out.
"So, what happened?" Pete asked.
Carter gave him a small smile. "Ambush, it's nothing."
He patted her hand. "I got you-"
"OFF WORLD ACTIVATION!"
"I wonder who that is?" Carter mumbled sleepily.
Jack flushed. "Um, I kind of called up your dad and told him you were down. He wanted to come by and wish you a Merry Christmas."
Carter had the sudden urge to stuff Pete under the bed. Introduce HIM to her dad? He'd make mincemeat of him!
"Your dad? No foolin'! Doesn't he have a snake in his head like that crazy woman?"
Jack stared at him. Was this guy for real?
Footsteps were heard approaching and Jacob's concerned voice mingled with Daniel's excited one.
"Sammie!" Jacob called hurrying in, "How you doing kid?" he asked stnding over her bed, not seeing Pete.
She accepted his hug carefully. "I'm fine dad, really."
"Of course you are." he turned to face Jack and saw Pete.
"How the hell are you?" he demanded.
"Pete Shanahan."
Jacob stared at Hack. "Who?"
Carter turned red. "Pete Shanahan the cop. You remember Dad, I told you all about him."
"Nope." he stopped. "Wait, the guy who stalking you and ended getting shot at or something?"
It was Pete's turn to turn red. "I wasn't-"
Jacob brushed past him. "How's it going Jack?"
Merriment danced in Jack's chocolate eyes. "Fine... dad... how's it going with the Tok'ra?"
Pete blanched at the word Dad.
Daniel greeted Pete rather coolly and turned to Sam, ignoring Jack and Jacob who were talking loudly. "Hey Sam."
She yawned. "Hi Daniel. Feeling better?"
He nodded. "Much."
Pete squinted at Jacob. "Do you really have a snake in your head? What color is it?"
Jacob slowly turned around. "The 'snake' is Selmac and she is over two thousand years old. Maybe you should treat 'us' with respect."
"It's just so... weird! Do your eyes glow?"
They glowed. "Indeed you little 'celak," Selmac muttered.
Daniel winced.
"Calm down dad," Pete said offering him a nervous smile.
"I'm not your father-in-law yet. You actually have to marry my daughter for me to become your 'dad'."
Pete's smile faded. "Oh."
Å
Sam was about to scream. She may not have loved Pete but any person would have felt compassion for that guy (Any one except the most passionate shipper, hence, I'm writing it.). Everyone was apparently trying to make Pete as uncomfortable as possible. The poor guy finally 'remembered' the 'urgent' meeting he 'had' to attend.
"Good riddance." Jacob muttered as he hurried out.
Carter drew herself out. "Jacob Adrian Carter, you should be ashamed of yourself!"
Jack, Daniel, and Jacob all stared at her.
"That was cruel dad. Cruel! What did Pete ever do to you? Just because YOU don't like him, doesn't mean I DON'T like him."
"Do you like him Sam?" Jacob demanded. "Is this the man you wan to spend the rest of your life with? That pathetic man?"
"He's not pathetic!"
Jack and Jacob both made choking noises.
:"Do you want me to go get him Sam?" Daniel asked quietly.
Both J-men turned to watch her.
"No," she said quietly. "No."
Å
Jack felt like a heel. Pete may have been an idiot but...
Å
Sam stared at the Christmas tree. Life wasn't fair. She snorted. She had more boyfriends in the past 7 years that many people had. And only.. One, two human? All dead. 'cept Pete. It had been encouraging that he hadn't died. What a record. One boy friend alive.
"Carter?"
She looked up. "Sir?"
"I'm... I'm sorry."
She was quiet for a few moments. "It's all right sir."
"No. It wasn't."
"You're right, it wasn't."
Jack sighed.
"Why did you do it?"
He choked. Answer that? She had to be kidding...
"Sir?"
He swallowed hard. "I... I... he was..."
"An idiot?"
"Uh, well..."
She leaned back against her pillow. "He liked me. Stayed with me even after he found out about the Stargate."
Jack wanted to plug his ears and hum loudly. He SO did not want to hear this.
"Yeah?" he offered.
"But I didn't love him..." she whispered. "I never did."
He wondered if he should call Janet. "Um, Carter-"
"Why sir?" she whispered. "Why?"
Instinctively he knew what she was talking about. Them.
"Carter…" he began, "I-"
The light to the infirmary turned on. "Hey!" Janet called showing them two trays. "Dinner. Pizza just like you asked Colonel and Sam, for you, jello."
They both thanked her and ate their meals silently. After a few more minutes of awkward chatter, they both decided to retire early, much to Janet's surprise.
Å
Carter giggled. At seven thirty in the morning, Teal'c had decided to decorate the rest of the infirmary. He was currently draping garlands around the bedposts assisted by a half wake Daniel Jackson. The infirmary looked like Extreme Makeover had come and decorated it. She wondered off hand how much this had all cost him…
Jack grunted. "What's going on?" he mumbled.
Carter grinned. "Teal'c."
"What is it with that guy? He's like a..." his complaint was broken off by a loud yawn.
Carter vaguely noticed someone had pushed their beds back next to each other. Yesterday, Janet had pushed them apart but they were back together. She laid back down and her eyes widened.
"How did I miss that?" she whispered.
Springs of mistletoe hung from the roof... and they were everywhere.
Jack followed her gaze to the ceiling. "Oh crap."
Carter nodded glumly. "I was afraid of that."
Teal'ccame closer. "Is there not a tradition O'Neill that you must kiss the first female you encounter under the mistletoe?" he asked almost hopefully.
"Not if you're in the Air Force," he mumbled.
Carter smiled. "Err, thanks for the... thought Teal'c."
Jack looked up. "Your dad's middle name. What is it?"
She blinked. "Um, Adrian."
He grinned. "That's funny."
"Why?"
"Jacob Adrian Carter equals J. A. C."
Carter stared at him for a second then laughed. "That is funny." she admitted.
Daniel handed her a mug of coffee. "Mornin' Sam."
She gave him a nod but was prevented answering by a hyperactive teen flying in.
"Sam!"
Sam smoothed Cassie's hair. "Hello sunshine."
Cassie wrinkled her nose. "Sunshine… whatever."
"Hey Cass," Jack called, "What's up?"
"No school!" she cheered.
"Why?" Sam demanded.
"It's snowing… hard." Cassie explained. "Mom almost called in sick 'cause she was afraid to try to make it to the base."
Both adults nodded satisfied.
"I have your presents, two of the SF's out there, Bert and Ernie, are going to bring them in later." She said suddenly. "But Jack, you don't have a present for Sa-"
"How's Dominic?" Jack asked abruptly.
The diversion worked and Cassie blushed. "Fine, he's good."
"Behaving himself right?"
Cassie rolled her eyes. "To be your daughter would be horrible."
Jack grinned.
"So, what are you doing here?" Carter asked.
"I thought I'd entertain you." She said sweetly.
Jack and Sam exchanged mutually alarmed glances. Cassie was a born matchmaker. And her favorite people to try out her skills on… was them.
"I like the mistletoe, who hung it up?"
"Teal'c."
Cassie grinned at her Jaffa friend. Teal'c and her had the same idea in mind. Her eyes narrowed. Between the two of them, this could be one very interesting Christmas…
Tis the season to be jolly... fa la la la la la la la la...
Perhaps Pete wouldn't have been able to get on base, in fact, he probably wouldn't have, but... Apologizes if that bugs you.
I hope you liked this chapter and PLEASE review!