Unexpected
Effect by Betty
Bokor
Sam/Daniel. The ripple effect brought a few more
consequences than first thought.
Spoilers: All seasons, including
9.
Disclaimer: The Stargate original characters belong to
MGM/Showtime, Double Secret Productions, and Gekko Film Corp. This
was written strictly for the purpose of entertainment. No attempt at
copyright infringement has been made.
Unexpected Effect
Chapter 10
He sighed and finally looked back at her. "It's not you. It's the situation, all of us. I really don't want to hurt Jack-"
"I told you, we talked and we cleared everything between us." She felt that wasn't enough for Daniel and added, "We both admitted our mutual attraction and the flirting that it brought through the years, but we both also agreed that beyond the physical aspect of it and the way we care for each other, we had nothing in common. He told me- I don't know if it's okay to tell you," she hesitated.
"It's okay," Daniel said. "Don't tell me any more."
"No," Sam replied emphatically. "We have to talk about all of this and then move on. I don't want to start anything with something like this sitting right between us." She smiled. "Besides, it's not a state secret. We have enough of those in our lives." Daniel chuckled and Sam continued. "He told me that he thought about trying a relationship with me, but that it always scared him when he tried to imagine us together. He thought I would 'drown him in technobabble' and he would 'bore me to death during hockey season'. You know, one game is fun, but- In any case, we both can see that we're not compatible. The scientist side of me takes more space in my private life than the soldier. I don't want to play war games, but I'd thoroughly enjoy going to a lecture or visiting a museum, and those are the things I always do with you."
"So, is he okay with this?"
"Yes, Daniel, he's perfectly fine. I think he worries more about how you're doing than about himself. He gave me a long lecture on how to take care of you, as if I didn't know," she smiled. "He doesn't want me to hurt you, Daniel, and I don't want that either. I just want to see if we can work this out, if we can be happy together."
Daniel raised one hand and softly caressed her cheek. "We could be very happy together, Sam, if it were only you and I, but we're not alone. We have a job that is more important than we really want to admit and many people depend on us."
"I know, I know. But if you've done it all these years, feeling the way you feel about me, and it has never interfered with your job, why couldn't I do the same? Besides, we already have heavy feelings for all the members of the team. No matter what we do, that will affect our decisions."
"What about later on, Sam?"
"What?"
"Have you thought if you'd like to have children? Would you do it? What would happen with your career then?"
"Teal'c asked me about this, too," Sam smiled.
"And?"
"I told him I'd been thinking about it, but I hadn't found the right man. Now I have, so," she smiled again.
"Are you serious?"
"I mean, if that's what you want, too."
"I do, I do, I've always wanted a big family."
"Well, I don't know if we can get big, I'm a little old for that," she said with a sad tone.
"It will be all right. But, what about our job, your career? If you get pregnant you won't be allowed to go through the gate," he said.
"Yeah, I know, but I was willing to do it for Cassie. I suppose it would be even easier to do it for our own children," she said and held his hand, "and if it's the only way to be with you, I'm willing to do it."
"It could be me," Daniel said. "I could leave SG-1 and take care of the kids."
"But I would be out, too, when I got pregnant. That wouldn't help much. It looks like I didn't mind leaving the team either in other realities." She got closer to him and added, "Listen, Jack said something. He said that he was feeling old and that he thought that any good soldier could do his job in SG-1. He believes that if he represents the bureaucracy, there's a chance that it won't be as hard for us to deal with it. He feels useful where he is now and he's happy with the way Cameron is handling the team. But he also thinks that if you left SG-1, there would be no more team. He's certain that you're the only reason Teal'c is still here and he's sure that I wouldn't have come back if it weren't for you."
"Sam, the problems we have with the Ori have brought you both back, not me, and Cameron has been the one pushing. This is his team. If it weren't for Vala, I'd be in Atlantis now."
"Maybe, but you're here and Teal'c and I are here for you. I know it's true on my side, because when Jack left the team, I stepped up and took his place, but when you decided to go to Atlantis, I got out of here and Teal'c did, too." Daniel began to protest and Sam stopped him. "Wait, we can talk about this later. Now, we've dealt with the Jack issue, the children issue, and my career. Anything else worrying you?"
"What about how we're going to tell General Landry?" Daniel asked.
"I'll take care of it if you take care of my only problem at this time," Sam said with a funny smile.
"All right. What is it? Are you hungry?" He got up and started walking toward the kitchen. "It's very late. I can cook something. Maybe we should raise the temperature in the house," he checked the thermostat in the central heating control unit and kept walking. He suddenly turned back around when he noticed that Sam wasn't following. She was sitting in the armchair he had just vacated. "Sam?"
"I have one question," she said.
"What?" he walked back towards her. "What question?"
"Can you kiss me the same way you did in the office or was that just a fluke?" she asked with a challenging tone but still smiling.
