Chapter 5: Reacquainting

He placed the sandwich and soda on the lab table amidst piles of paper and files. Having her back in some ways was as if nothing had ever changed. Here she was engrossed in her lasted project, except instead of tinkering with her toys she was sorting through a myriad of paperwork. She diligently typed on the keyboard. Had it been anyone else they might think she was not aware that someone else was even in the room. But he knew she was well aware of his presence.

They hadn't talked since last night when he kicked them out of his conference room. She had been here since 0400 trying not to think about him and her…their kids. Trying to restrain herself from going to see him. Trying to give him the time he asked for. At times the volume of work she needed to accomplish to get settled into this position actually did distract her, but only for brief moments in time. He was here now, that had to be a good sign she thought. She said thank you without looking up continuing with the last part of an email she needed to get out.

"Carter, you have to pace yourself. Paperwork is hazardous to your health. Look at this paper cut." She was still not looking, but he did see the corner of her mouth turn up. He grabbed the stylus next to her laptop and started twirling it to keep his hands busy. She was seated at one of the larger tables in the main lab, as she did not yet have an office. It was empty, since it was lunch time.

"Don't lose that" she said and with a few more frantic minutes of typing she was done. Sam looked up and finally reached for the sandwich. "Hi."

"How's your first day going Carter?"

"So far just putting out fires and listening to my staff's complaints and concerns." She paused and took another bite. "I haven't seen a diagnostic report on the gate, or prioritized the pile of paperwork Walter handed me this morning. But I have heard a detailed report on how you apparently hate Dr. Lee because of a plant?, McKay has provided me with a list of problems with the dialing computer, the new X-303 is showing a critical flaw in the navigation system, and Felger has expressed deep concern for my reputation." The last part she added with more drama in her voice.

"Why your reputation?" he asked with concern.

"It seems there are rumors circulating that we are married." She smirked up at him.

"Hot topic at the water cooler are we?"

"Don't know, but not everyone is paying attention, McKay will not stop flirting with me." She said with a hint of annoyance.

"You want me to have a talk with him?" or I could throw him through the gate to an unfriendly planet, he thought.

"He's harmless. Besides General," emphasizing his title. "I am perfectly capable of dealing with my staff."

"Alright Colonel, point taken." He couldn't believe how good it felt to be able to just come to her lab and bother her again. "Well, well, well Colonel not even 24 hours and you have taken over half my base, my VIP Suite, and rendered my staff useless with gossip. Anything else you need from me?"

"Nope, I think my job here is done. Half your base, Sir really? Two floors is hardly half your base."

"You know me, I'm not good with math." He leaned on the table chin in hand, the other hand twirling the stylus. "I'm scheduling a meeting Monday morning with all of the team leaders, I would like for you to be there. I would like to officially announce your new position and put an end to the rumors."

"The kids, I haven't made any arrangements for them."

"I'll arrange for someone to sit with them. Is that okay?"

"Yeah"

"You open to a recommendation for McKay?"

"Sure."

"I need a science team for Atlantis and he is one of your more…competent staff."

She thought for a moment. "He would be a good choice. I'll talk to him. Did you finish the paperwork General Hammond left you?"

"Yep, all of the usual stuff one does when one becomes a parent…sign birth certificates, health insurance forms, social security cards, and reviewed the alien prepared health records…the usual." The stylus became all the more intriguing to him, as he broached a more difficult topic. "Oh, and I scheduled a meeting with Barrett of the NID….George came to see me." She didn't respond. He knew she heard him. "You know I think we need a policy that for now that on all conversations pertaining to," he looked around to make sure they were still alone, "our kids, have to be attended by both of us."

"Hammond tried to talk to me, I wouldn't listen." She finally admitted.

"Oh and why is that?" incredulous that she would not listen to something General George Hammond had to say.

"I didn't want to think about any more obstacles to coming home. I know I should have, it was irresponsible. I just….wanted to come home, Sir."

"You see I have a problem with that, that doesn't sound like the Carter I know at all."

"Well, maybe because the Carter you knew wasn't a mother."

"Which I would think should make you all the more concerned to know." His brow creased with concern. "Is he right? Is there a valid concern about what you know about the Asgard and Nox."

"Yes…..the kids don't know what they know."

"And, you?"

"I know what I know." She looked down considering the extent of what she knew and what they knew.

"I'm afraid I won't be able to let you leave the base alone until we can get a better idea of what we are dealing with."

"Just so were clear here who I am talking to right now my husband or a superior officer." She retorted frustrated.

"Both Colonel," he said sharply and immediately regretted it. "I mean, the Base commander, Colonel." He backed away looking somewhat defeated. As defeated as Jack O'Neill would let anyone see him. He returned to the table. "Come home with me."

"Is that an order, Sir?"

"For crying out loud, Sam. I'm asking my wife to come home with me. We need to talk and we obviously can't have this conversation here."

She looked at the piles of paper mentally taking stock of what needed to get done today and checked her watch. "I've got a few more things I need to finish up here."

"I've got a debriefing in 20 with SG-4, 1400 alright?"

"Meet you at the elevator?" He nodded and pushed off from the desk a little and started for the door. "Sir?" She held her hand out for him to return her stylus.

"1400…elevator Carter." He called out as he headed back to his own glorious mountain of paperwork and the anticipation of his debriefing with the Russian team.

As he reached the elevator, the Klaxons sounded.

Walter announced 'Unscheduled Offworld Activation'. Sam caught up with Jack as he took the last few steps to the control room "What's up kids?"

"Receiving SG-16's IDC, Sir."

"Open the Iris, Walter. Let's see what Reynolds wants." Jack made his way down to the Gateroom. Sam stayed in the control room.

"It's good to have you back Colonel Carter" Walter welcomed her.

"Thank you, Walter. Do you mind---?" She asked pointing at the computer. He nodded and one of the gate technicians made room for her at the terminal. She sat and ran through some gate diagnostics.

Jack was greeting the team. One member limped through the gate with the help of the two other. Out of the corner of her eye she could see the conversation in the Gateroom. Colonel Reynolds looked up, turned back to Jack, turned back to the control room and waved. Then the team went on to the usual routine to hit the showers and infirmary.

Jack returned to the control room, "Reynolds said welcome back and that you owe him five, something about Rothman being cursed, he said he will be by to collect later?" She winced. "...Everything alright Carter? Have we taken good care of your baby?" With that comment the entire room stopped to look at them.

She knew that was his desired effect, suppressing a smile, she answered. "No she looks well cared for, just needs some updating." She looked around the room; and saw that the technicians were focusing back on what they were supposed to be doing.

"Keep me apprised."

"Yes Sir." She affirmed.

"Walter. Schedule SG-16's debriefing for 1400, but I am out of here at 1500, it's Saturday for goodness sake." Jack looked at Sam and saw the barely observable nod that she understood they were leaving an hour later than previous planned. He waved for the gate technician to join him and they went upstairs. Sam finished and returned to the labs. Along the way she was welcomed back often. This was the first time she had left those floors today, and it seems the rumor mill was very busy indeed, because she had not run into a single person who was surprised to see her back.

Debriefings done, Jack was finishing up the last of his necessary paperwork to get out of the mountain. He looked at his watch; 10 minutes til Sam would be waiting by the elevator door at level 21 for him.

"Jack?" He looked up to find his second favorite scientist.

"Daniel! Didn't expect to see you back until Monday. Did you get your rock money?" He talked as he finished the last part of his report.

"They said they would get back to me. Jack?" Daniel was surprised to see Jack determinedly working on paperwork. He normally relished any distraction from the hated task.

"Yes Daniel?"

"Heard some people in the elevator say something about Sam being here?"

"Yeah."

"Great, do you know where she is I want to say Hi?"

"She's leaving soon. Can you come by my place about 2000? We'll have a late dinner."

"Jack? What's going on?"

"Just come to my place tonight for dinner alright…..and bring Janet, will ya?"

"Alright, but-"

Jack stood up and walked to the door. "Walter?"

"Yes sir?"

"Take care of these, please. I'm leaving for the day."

"Yes, sir."

"Daniel, 2000. My place. With Janet." He said as he replaced the cap on his pen and returned it to his desk.

"Ya, we'll be there Jack." And, he walked out without even saying goodbye. "Bye, Jack?" Daniel said after the fact, with a very concerned look on his face.