THANK YOU so much for reading/reviewing!
(Smiles)
Anyways...
I was kind of hesitant about posting this chapter- it wasn't the best written and well... I guess you'll find out when you read it.
Two things: One: All mistakes are mine, Daniela is on a road trip so was not available for beta'ing. Two: Warning: Acharacter of this story dies... and it isn't Pete.
That's all... hope you enjoy the chapter!
"Jack!"
The General looked up. "What?"
Dori Morgan, soon to be O'Neill, leaned back in her chair and sighed. "I said Sam's been gone for six days…"
"So?"
"Tomorrow's Valentine's Day…"
"Do you have a point Dorothy Anne?"
She grinned, looking very much like the Cheshire cat. "Valentine's Day means flowers and chocolate… you send them to your sweetheart."
"Who says sweetheart anymore?" He asked himself, absently playing with a piece of string.
She rolled her eyes but moved closer. "Let's have a surprise for Sam."
He stared at her suspiciously. "What is it?"
She pouted. "A good surprise."
"Like what?"
"Flowers… chocolate… jewelry…"
"Oh. Right."
"Jack, c'mon… it'd be sweet. She's got to be lonely, separated from her friends."
"She has a check-in in three weeks."
"JACK!" She whined.
"Dori… I have the peculiar feeling you're sticking your nose where it's not wanted."
She didn't look the least bit repentant. "Oh well, you'll live. Now… are ya?"
"What?"
She sighed. "Going to do something for her?"
Jack dropped the string. "Duh."
Å
"Colonel Carter ma'am, good morning."
Carter acknowledged the passing Airman with a small smile and continued her way down the hall to her new lab. She paused in the doorway.
"Holy Hannah."
The room was filled with roses. Red roses, white roses, pink roses all tastefully arranged in vases and placed all around the room. A huge box of chocolate was in the arms of huge teddy bear (it came to her waist.)
On the table were several letters and valentines. Several generic ones from Walter, Siler, and various scientists, an incredibly 'mushy' one from Felger (It talked about her perfection…she instantly tossed it after the first few sentences). A note from Daniel, a box of chocolate from Teal'c, a valentine as tall as her arm from Cassie, a box of items that she had forgotten from Janet along with a letter… and a card from her CO.
She opened it and a heart shaped piece of paper fell out.
Hi Sam!
Nothing much going on here… it's not as much fun here at the SGC without you… and I still have to do my physics stuff.
Jack misses you.
Happy Valentines Day!
Dori
P.S: The bear's from me.
Sam smiled as she placed the valentine on top of the other ones then read her CO's card.
CARTER!
How on Earth do you keep the scientists from squabbling? SG-17 found a load of glowing rocks, all the scientists want one of them, and there isn't enough to go around.
I think Walter misses you. He just sits there staring at the computer all day and Felger asked to be transferred to the Alpha Site.
Dori misses you too- Cassie's in school all day and when she gets home, she's off to her painting class or drama or whatever it is. Janet feeds her lollipops… I didn't even know she had some… did you? She muttered something about her 'good' patients getting them, for which I qualify.
Anyways, Happy V-Day!
Jack
"Colonel Carter, I-"
The young Lieutenant stopped half way into the room. "Wow!"
"I agree," Carter muttered. "Who did this?"
"Wilcox and Henry, ma'am."
"Thank you… can I help you with something?"
She handed her a thick folder. "The latest mission reports as you requested, ma'am."
"Thank you Lieutenant. Dismissed."
Å
Dori sat on the corner of his desk. "Jack…" She began hesitantly. "You know my birthday is soon… right?"
"The 25th Dori," He looked up and gave her a small smile. "I haven't forgotten."
She smiled back. "Can we… invite people over? Just like Janet, Cassie, Daniel, Teal'c, Walter-"
"And Siler, and Felger, and Chloe, and the President of the United States?"
She laughed. "No dad… seriously. Walter's nice."
"Honey, I'm afraid he won't be here then. He has a week of vacation coming up, staring the 20th.
"Oh." She bit her lip. "Well… can we invite the others over?"
He considered for a second. "Sure, we'll have a splendid party to celebrate your 15th birthday… I assume you want a piñata and 'Pin the tail on the donkey'?"
"Dad!"
Å
Jack waited until his daughter was safely out of the office before calling Janet and asking her if she would give him a hand with the party. The doctor agreed and volunteered Cassie's services as well.
Teal'c and Daniel accepted their invitations immediately. He tried Walter but found the man was taking a vacation with his family that weekend.
He knew he had decorations left over from the shindig he had held for Teal'c's 100th birthday. Now, he just had to get a cake and voila!
Why did people make such a big deal about parties anyways?
Å
"Sam?"
The Colonel looked up, not believing her ears. "Daniel?"
It was the archeologist grinning sheepishly at her.
"What are you doing here?" She asked.
He shrugged. "I accompanied SG-8 on a archeological survey… I thought I'd drop by."
"It's good to see you," She said sincerely. "God, have I really been gone two weeks?"
"Fourteen long days," Daniel groaned. "I'm babysitting Dori now and she is so full of questions…"
"Come on- it's not that bad."
He smiled. "No, it's not. What have you been up too?"
"Lots of things," she said. "We're running a lot of drills and we're building a bunker- to make sure in the event of another attack, we'll have a place to go. It's not fancy, but they could scan the planet several times and never detect us, thanks to the Asgard. Of course, if we can, we'll escape through the Stargate but this is just a precaution. I've also been overseeing the start of a second Beta Site. General Hammond has been pushing the President to allow the start of a third world so… we'll see how that goes."
He stared at her. "Busy?"
"Very."
"You look tired."
She gave him a small smile. "I am." She took a sip of her coffee. "So, what's happening at the SGC?"
"Nothing much. Siler broke two of his fingers, Jack has been a bear- had to listen to seven archeological briefing and debriefings in one day so he was desperate to get home when I left. Dori's fine… excited about her birthday, naturally, and-"
"Dori's birthday?" Carter interrupted. "When is it?"
"The 25th."
"Four days." She sighed. "I'm stuck her until April."
Daniel gave her a calculating glance. "Don't you have to turn in the Alpha Site's Monthly Report in by the 28th?"
"The 1st of March," She corrected absently. "And so?"
"So… just bring it earlier and you can stay the evening and return."
"What about-"
"Major Jefferson is your second-in-command, right?"
"Well, yeah, but-"
"I'm sure he's perfectly capable of watching the base for a few hours," He said. "Come on… you could use the break."
"We'll see Daniel."
He nodded, satisfied with that.
Å
SG-8 stepped through the Stargate, followed by a somewhat dusty Daniel.
"How'd it go?" the General asked from the bottom of the ramp.
"Fine, sir." The leader said.
"Debriefing tomorrow at 0900."
As they filed out of the room, Daniel pressed a note into his hand. "From Sam."
Before Jack could say anything, the archeologist was gone.
He wandered back to his office and opened it.
Sir,
I've never had to deal with the scientists 'squabbling'. I casually mention your name and peace reigns.
Tell Dori 'Hi' and 'Happy Birthday' for me- I wish I could be there.
Thank you for the roses and chocolate. They were appreciated.
Off to water my lab,
Carter
Å
"How come you got to visit Carter?"
The sulky tone made Daniel want to roll his eyes. "SG-8 didn't need any help, and I was in the way so I thought I'd visit Sam."
"You visited her?" Dori asked. "Cool! I want to go off-world!"
"I don't think so," Jack said instantly. "It won't be happening… ever."
She pouted. "I want to though…"
"Tough."
She sighed and looked at her pizza. "The commissary can't even make good pizza," She grumbled.
"Hey, what's up kid?" Jack asked. "You've been a grouch all day."
She burst into tears.
Å
"General O'Neill, she's fine. It's hormones."
After Dori had started crying for no apparent reason, Jack had dragged her to the infirmary and insisted on the doctor examining her- despite both Dori and Janet's assurances she was fine.
Dori flashed a triumphant smile at her father. After her little cry, she felt much better.
Hormones… just like Janet said.
Å
It was the evening of February the 24th, and Jack was cleaning… frantically.
He had to clean the four bottom rooms and decorate the house before morning, go to work and send the paper work to the Pentagon… and three stacks of it, and then pick up the cake and return home… all by four o'clock. (Janet had agreed to bring the actual food as no one wanted charred meat.)
He shoved the broom back in its space and looked around. The house looked good.
Now, to catch his remaining five hours of sleep…
Å
"I'll be back either late tonight or 0800 tomorrow."
"Yes ma'am."
She stepped up to the DHD. "All right… good-bye Major." She quickly dialed Earth's address and sent her IDC code through. A minute later, she walked through.
Å
"Colonel Carter!"
She smiled at the technician. "Afternoon Tyler… has General O'Neill left yet?"
"Just missed him, ma'am."
She nodded. "Thank you." She hurried into his office and dropped off the folder. "Later, Sergeant."
She found her car and drove to the nearest 'toy' store, not exactly sure what she would get the teenager.
Å
"She would love it."
Sam studied the M93 player, uncertainty on her face. "I don't know…"
"I assure you, all teens would die for this!"
"Kind of insures that you never sell any," She quipped.
He stared at her.
"I meant, you would die which would mean you wouldn't be able to buy one… never mind. How much?"
Å
"Sam?"
"Carter?"
"Colonel Carter. It is a pleasure to see you."
"Hey, you made it!"
Carter grinned widely. "Hey guys… thought I'd drop by and wish a certain someone a happy birthday!"
Dori flung her arms around Sam. "I never dreamed you'd come!"
Jack gave her a friendly grin. "Want a beer Carter?"
"Yes, sir!" She placed the gift bag on the table. "It looks nice sir."
"It should. I was up until midnight cleaning it for little Miss Dorothy here."
Dori grinned. "Yup."
"Did you come just for the party?" Jack asked later, as Dorothy blew out her candles.
She smiled demurely. "And to hand in the Alpha Site's Monthly Report."
"That's it?"
She turned to face her CO. "And to see Dori…"
"Carter!"
"And you, of course."
He casually draped an arm around her shoulder. "Going back tonight?"
"I was planning on it sir."
"Unplan it. You shouldn't travel when tired."
She giggled. "Yes sir."
Å
March flew by for a very busy Samantha Carter and dragged by for a very bored General.
Dori was making the most of her last month alone with Jack. Every weekend, she dragged him off on some escapade… the last one involving a seven-hour drive to a ski resort to go skiing. She came back with a sprained wrist but had loved every minute of it.
On April 7th, the Stargate activated at 0900 hundred exactly.
"Receiving Colonel Carter's IDC sir!"
"Open the iris," Jack called.
The iris spun open, revealing a puddle of blue 'water'. After several moments, it danced as a figure stepped through before shutting down.
"Welcome home Colonel."
She dropped her bags on the ramp. "It's good to be back sir."
Å
Jack ordered Chinese food and they all sat around his living room, laughing at the stories Sam told of her experience running the Alpha Site.
"So… glad you did it?" Jack asked.
She looked thoughtful. "Over all… yes sir, I am."
He nodded. "Carter," He began. "How do you feel about one lsat mission… all of the old SG-1 before I retire?"
Her eyes sparkled. "Sounds like old times sir."
"Yeah… we sent a M. A. L. P to an address we found on an other planet. The city seems to be deserted but full of juicy bits. The President thought we'd might like to go."
"Yes sir!"
"We leave tomorrow."
"What about Dori?"
"She's okay with it… she want to go along."
Sam laughed. "What time tomorrow?"
"1000."
"Sounds good sir."
He smiled approvingly. "You want to just stay here tonight and I'll take you on base tomorrow?"
"You'd have to," She reminded him. "My cars at the SGC- Daniel brought me here."
"Right."
He kissed her suddenly. "Night Carter."
She caught her breath. "Good night sir."
He turned off the light and headed up the stairs. The Colonel was still grinning when she fell asleep.
Å
The next morning was filled with laughter as they ate breakfast and prepared for work.
Dori wasn't worried about the planet in question- Jack had assured her that it was safe and that he would be fine.
Once on base, the General went to pack his gear. As his eyes lingered on a small photo of his second-in-command and his 'daughter' together, he impulsively stuffed it in his backpack.
You never knew what might happen.
Å
"Chevron seven… locked!"
"Make sure to mind Janet," Jack ordered.
"Dad, I will, okay? Promise."
Carter hugged her good-bye. "Take care Dori."
"I will."
Daniel and Teal'c both smiled at her before walking up the ramp and disappearing. SG-2 who was accompanying them disappeared as well. Sam followed then Jack who gave his daughter a parting wave before the Stargate deactivated.
She sighed then grinned widely. Jack wasn't here… she could do anything!
After her homework was done, of course.
Å
20 minutes later…
Dori looked up at the sound of the klaxons wailing. Hoping that it meant her 'father' was home, she dropped her history book and hurried out of Daniel's lab. As she rushed down the level, she saw a man talking to her father's fiancée in the control room. Sam shuddered and dashed for the elevator, blood dripping from her arm. The same man turned and saw her.
"You're Jack's kid, aren't ya?" He asked in a gentle voice.
"Ye-yeah." She said. "Why?"
"Do me a favor?"
"Where's Jack?"
The man smiled weakly at her. "Do us all a favor and wait in Colonel Carter's quarters, okay?"
"But-"
"No but's!"
She frowned but obeyed. She decided to take the stairs and so by the time she made it to the room, it was already occupied.
Sam was on the bed, sobbing.
Dori stared at Sam. "Sam?" She asked uncertainly. "What- what's going on?"
Carter sat up and looked at the doorway, horror on her face. "Dori!"
She started. "What is it?"
Carter covered her mouth. "Oh lord…"
"What is it?" Dori repeated. A sudden fear crossed her mind. "Is- is Jack hurt?"
Carter took a deep breath. Dori noticed her eyes were glistening with tears. "Um.. Yes Dorothy… in a way."
"What do you mean?" She asked slowly. "What happened?"
"When we arrived on the planet, some sort of automated defense began firing at them. Ja- General O'Neill was hit- badly. He ordered us to retreat. Teal'c and I went through first helping two of SG-2 members through. Daniel came through, unconscious. The rest of SG-2 came through." She stopped and faltered. "They said… General O'Neill was dead. There was no pulse Dori."
"What are you saying Sam?" She whispered, her mind refusing to comprehend what she was being told.
A tear spilled over. "He's gone Dori… he's gone."
"Gone? No… he can't be."
"I-I…" She said helplessly. "Dori-"
"NO!" She screamed. "He's not! You're lying! You want him all to yourself!"
"Dor-"
"Stop it! Stop it!" She screamed again. "He's not dead! He's NOT!"
Before Carter could say anything, Dorothy was gone.
This was one of the first chapters I ever wrote. I hope it's not tooterrible.
Please let me know what you think!
(Review...)
