Finally, Janet was able to relax and enjoy a cup of coffee. The day had been hectic from the time she arrived. Sgt. Siler nearly electrocuted himself for the fifth time this month, shutting down power to the infirmary and various labs in the process for several hours. Janet was able to save him…again!
No sooner than they got power back did SG-2 returned under heavy enemy fire. It took Janet three hours in surgery to save Colonel Reynolds' leg. It was still too early for Janet to tell if he would be able to return to active field duty or not. She already forewarned him that he had many weeks, possibly months of rehab ahead of him. He was just very grateful to be alive and had thanked her repeatedly.
Now that Janet had some time she was going to fill in her reports for the day while enjoying her coffee. And she did so for a little over an hour when the most unlikely of visitors came knocking on her office door.
"General Carter!"
"Sorry to disturb you, may I come in?" he politely asked.
"Of course," she smiled, offering him an empty chair near her desk. "How are you and Selmak adjusting to life on Earth?"
"It hasn't been that bad of a transition," he answered while sitting down. "Selmak's always enjoyed our visits to Earth. But even with that and after the month we've been here, he hasn't adjusted to the sun light in our room so early in the morning and waking us up. Our quarters in the Tok'ra tunnels were so dark."
"Have you tried darker curtains?"
"I wouldn't want to redecorate Sam's spare bedroom. Besides Selmak and I will only be there another two weeks. Then we'll have our own apartment," he answered. "We'll tackle that issue then."
"I take it, you didn't come to my office to discuss decorating patterns," she said, noticing how he shifted nervously in his seat.
"No," he replied then cleared his throat. "I was wondering…if you weren't doing anything this Friday evening…would you have dinner with me?"
Janet blinked in surprise. She didn't see that coming!
"I discovered this wonderful little Italian Restaurant," he quickly continued with a smile, surprising her again. Janet loved Italian Food. And there was only one Italian restaurant in town. "Of course, you can say no if you like. Mine or Selmak's feelings won't be hurt in the..."
"What time should I be ready?" she answered, interrupting him and without realizing what she said.
It was like her mouth had a mind of its own. Or perhaps because it had been several years since a real gentleman had asked her the question and she didn't want to waste the opportunity. Although, one can't really call the man she was married to for a year a gentleman.
"Excuse me?" he asked, eyes wide.
And suddenly the tables were turned. He was surprised and it showed. Janet almost laughed. She didn't think anything in the universe could surprise a man like Jacob Carter, Major General, ex-Tok'ra resistance leader, and generally known as a hard-ass of a man. He wasn't any of those things as he sat before her, looking a little…bewildered and nervous. Then again, she really didn't know him at all and had no idea what he was capable of. Other than his reputation the preceded him throughout the Air Force, to her he was her best friend's father, a good friend of her commanding officer, and a host to a Tok'ra symbiote that actually had a sense of humor.
"I said, what time should I be ready?" she replied making him smile.
"Is seven too early?" he asked expectantly. "I promise to have you home before midnight!"
"Seven's perfect," she grinned.
"See you then!" he smiled brightly as he stood and then left quickly.
Again, Janet was surprised at the smile he'd just flashed her. Obviously, she just made his day! Pfft, he just made hers for that matter, as she couldn't stop smiling either.