Hey!
Thank you everyone for reviewing…
Ok… I'm going to make you all hate me for this chapter (well, some of you)
but rest assured… things always turn out all right in the end. (If you don't
believe me, check out my other stories… I'm a sap and have happy endings…)
Hope ya like it… or at least read it!
Music was blaring when Jack O'Neill awoke. Two very hyper teenagers were dancing around Dorothy's room, listening to the music, chattering and brushing their hair.
"DORI!" He shouted over the racket. "TURN IT DOWN!"
The teenager looked up, saw him, and instantly lowered the volume. "Hi Jack."
"Hi!" Cassie called over her shoulder gathering her hair into a ponytail. "What's up?"
"What's up is that you've managed to wake up this entire household."
The girls gave him an apologetic glance. "We'll try to keep it down," Dori assured him. "Sorry for bothering you."
"Oh, well, thank you very much but-"
"Bye Dad!"
Her door slammed closed leaving the gray haired General to shuffle back to bed.
-
Nine o'clock came and a now awake Jack appeared in the kitchen, freshly showered and shaved. Janet had baked muffins and everyone else was contentedly munching on them. He grabbed on and bit into it, actually enjoying it.
Cassie and Dori were perched on the counter, discussing, in low voices, the 'cuteness factor' of one archeologist. Daniel and Sam were passionately arguing the greater value of science versus history while drinking coffee, as Teal'c and Janet talked about the good tretonin had done. Jack helped himself to the fragrant coffee and sipped it cautiously. He smiled and looked over at Janet, the only one who liked hers black.
The conversations were in full swing when there was a knock on the door.
Teal'c, closest to the door, pulled it open. "Greetings-" he stopped.
"Hello… Teal'c… is Sam there?"
Carter looked over her shoulder. A look of surprise shot across her face. "Pete?" She asked incredulously. "What are you doing here?"
He came closer. "I came to see you."
And to all of the SGC personnel and teenagers indignation, he kissed her. Carter drew back. "Why didn't you call me?"
"I wanted it to be a surprise."
"It was a surprise all right," Daniel said giving him a forced smile. Pete nodded and looked at Dori.
"You Jack's daughter?"
She nodded.
"I didn't know your CO was married Sam."
Carter darted a quick glance at Jack. "Long story Pete."
He smiled and slipped an arm around her. "Isn't this just-"
---
"Horrible?" Cassie raged. "Jack didn't even invite him! I mean, how rude is that?"
Dori shrugged. "I'm glad he came."
Cassie stopped short in her tracks. "You what?"
"I'm glad he came."
"Why?" Cassie demanded.
"Because I think he is going to propose to Sam."
"And that's good?" Cassie shrieked. "Have you lost your mind?"
"No."
"Don't you like Sam?" She asked watching the younger girl narrowly. Dori struggled for a moment before shrugging.
"Why don't you like her? She's the greatest!"
"I just don't think she's for Jack!" Dori shot back.
"How stupid!"
Dori flinched. "It is not. I-"
"You're jealous of her, aren't you?"
"Am not!"
Cassie snorted. "Please… don't lie to me."
"I'm not."
"You are too!"
Dori sat down on the edge of her bed. "Cassandra… I thought… I mean… she's going to marry him… isn't she?"
"Pete? Never!"
"Wanna bet? I talked to Jack yesterday and you wanna know what he said?"
"What?"
"That he'll never marry her! So there!"
There was a long silence. "Jack… didn't say that."
"Yes he did," Dori said stubbornly.
Cassie slammed the lid of her suitcase down. "He didn't!"
"Yes he DID!"
-
The two girls continued to fight, unaware that Sam was fleeing… having heard every word they had said.
-
The next day dragged by for everyone. Cassie and Dori weren't speaking to each other, and Cassie refused to sleep in the same room with 'that traitor'. Janet privately thought that the two were acting childishly- especially Cassie- but the teen-almost-an-adult refused to listen to her. Pete seemed oblivious to the attention. He cheerfully watched 'The Simpson's' by the hour, played Dori's play station with her, and tried to help around the house.
The 23rd of December was a day no one would easily forget.
It began normally. Cassandra had made eggs for breakfast and laughingly produced the 'over easy' eggs and the 'well done sausage.' Carter was teasing her niece, who was glaring at her mightily, when she felt a tap on her should.
"Sam?" Pete asked quietly. "Can I talk to you?"
Carter glanced at Janet then stood up. "Sure. Where?"
"Outside."
She grabbed her jacket and followed him outside. He led her down to the dock and stopped.
"What is it Pete?"
He opened his hand. "Sam, will you marry me?"
She looked down and froze. "Oh my god."
He gave her a tentative smile. "I know it may seem kind of soon but..."
"Wanna bet? I talked to Jack yesterday and you wanna know what he said?"
"What?"
"That he'll never marry her!"
In that one instant, Carter knew that her CO was never planning on marrying her. He couldn't... and neither could she. She looked at Pete.
Her father had told her she was content... afraid to try to love, fearing she would could hurt. No, she wasn't madly in love with Pete... but he loved her.
"Sam?"
She looked at him. "Yes."
He blinked. "Yes, you'll marry me?"
She nodded. He stared at her like he couldn't believe his ears. "Yes?"
Carter laughed and kissed him. "Yes Pete... yes."
As he whooped, her thoughts revolved around what Jack would be saying.
Å
"What?" Daniel exclaimed.
Dori stared at her guardians face. It was pale but expressionless.
"I'm engaged," Carter repeated.
Cassie looked at her mother, worry written across her face. Dori saw Jack's mouth move a few times before.
"Congrats Carter!"
And slowly the whole room offered their congratulations.
Å
Dori closed her cell phone, still smiling. She had just had a long chat with an old friend from her neighborhood and learned that everyone was well and happy. She was about to leave the room when she heard her 'dad' swear at someone outside the door. Without thinking, she dropped to her knees and rolled under the bed.
She had discovered as a child that there was plenty of room under there for two, three children. It had been Charlie's and her most favorite spot. As she watched from the small knothole, Jack stormed in closely followed by Daniel and Teal'c.
"You're just going to let her walk away Jack?"
"Yes Daniel... I am."
"Jack-"
"This is no of your business Daniel," He hissed. "And stop staring at me Teal'c."
Dorothy watched as the tall black man continued to watch him. Jack shifted uncomfortably. "Stop it."
He cocked his head.
"Ok, WHAT?"
"I do not understand O'Neill why you continue to hide your feelings for Colonel Carter."
"I have too T."
"OOH!" Daniel cried. "You DO love her then."
"For cryin' out loud Daniel! You want me to admit it? Ok, I love Carter... but I will not stand between her and her- her fiancée!"
Daniel's voice sounded shaky as he said: "Jack, she-"
"Not another word Daniel... not a word."
Daniel muttered something then left the room followed by Teal'c. Dori lay paralyzed by what she had just heard.
Jack loved Sam.
She had been so blind. She had wanted other people to be wrong so badly, she had refused to consider whether he loved her or not.
The bed above her creaked and a drawer open.
"Sam," Aavoice whispered.
And then to her horror, a small object rolled off the bed and then under it... only inches away for her.
"Shoot!" She whispered staring at it. Her eyes widened as she took in the narrow gold band. She heard Jack get off the bed; he was kneeling down...
"General!" Janet called. "I need you... the TV isn't working!"
Her 'dad' made a remark about him being the repair guy then left. She quickly scooted out.
While she wasn't thrilled about the idea of having a 'step-mother' she knew one thing.
The thing that really mattered... was that Jack was happy.
She tiptoed out of the room, down the hall and into the guest room. Cassie and Daniel were talking- Cassie was also painting her toe nails- but stopped once she entered. Cassie glared at her and then continued to paint her nails.
"Ok, listen... we need a plan."
"For what?" Daniel asked as Cassie looked up curiously.
Dori closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "To get Pete... to leave Sam."
I know the middle is slightly rushed… but please, bear with me.
Please review!
