Set just after the events of 'Fallout', but remember it's an AU!
Several weeks later:
Sam watched as the man battered ceaselessly, rhythmically, at the punch bag, knowing that he was venting a lot of frustration and anger.
She felt that anger herself. They'd worked so hard to try to prevent the unstable naquadria from destroying that planet, but did the Kelownans and the others care? No! They were too bent on blaming each other!
And now …
And now …
"Jonas?" she said gently.
The young man turned and scowled. "What?" he barked, then grimaced. "Sorry, Major," he said. "I thought you were … someone else."
"I'm sorry we couldn't save Kianna," Sam said. Who knew the Goa'uld would have had a poison pill in her tooth?
"Me too," Jonas said. "But in a way, Kianna died when that Goa'uld took over her." He shrugged and grabbed a towel to blot his face. "It's still … hard, though."
"So … what now?" Sam asked.
"I don't know," Jonas admitted. "Your people have offered to help us find a new world to live on, but … I don't think I'll be welcome there." He scowled again. "I don't regret coming here, Major, after Doctor Jackson's accident, but …".
"Yeah." Sam didn't know what to say to him. The young man was facing the possibility of exile from his own people for the second time in less than two years. What could you say? "Commissary?"
"All right," Jonas said. "Just give me a few minutes to get changed."
"Okay. I'll meet you there."
"Okay. And thanks, Major."
Jonas Quinn looked at Major Carter as she absorbed her blue Jell-O. She'd changed very little in the months since he'd returned to Kelowna. Just as beautiful as ever, but she seemed more … content.
He could admit it. He'd nursed a small crush on the beautiful woman during their time together on SG-1, but he'd never presumed to do anything about it. He could see that she and Colonel O'Neill were devoted to each other, although they couldn't pursue anything due to the regulations.
Jonas – although not military himself – knew enough about military life to understand the regulations against fraternization. They made sense, but he still thought it was a shame. He'd never been in love, although he could have loved Kianna given time, but he hoped he would have that experience someday.
He couldn't recall exactly when he'd first realized that Major Carter and Colonel O'Neill loved each other. There was just … something there. The looks, the small gestures, the smiles, the silent communication.
And it seemed to have deepened during his months-long absence. There was still the caring, but their interactions had changed. Become more flirtatious, without ever crossing the line.
"Jonas Quinn; please report to General Hammond's office!" the tannoy blared out.
Just as Jonas was about to have his first banana in months.
He loved the Earth fruit and had missed the unusual sweet treat, the soft texture …
"Go on, Jonas," Major Carter said, snapping him out of his reverie.
"Ah. Right." The young man stared forlornly at the peeled banana, then stuffed it into his mouth in one go.
"Jonas! That's disgusting!" the Major laughed as she ushered him out of the commissary.
Sooner than might have been expected, Jonas said, "It was the last one." Then he laughed also.
He'd missed his friends on SG-1 more than he'd realized. He vowed that he would keep in touch more often when he left again.
Jack O'Neill glared at the retreating backs of the Kelownan, Andari and Tiranian delegates as they left Hammond's office. "Nice to see them reaching agreement on something at last," he said sarcastically.
"Colonel," Hammond chided mildly.
"Right," Jack said. "That poor kid." He'd never admit it, but he'd become quite fond of the young Kelownan during his time on SG-1, and knew that this – on top of Kianna Cyr's death – was going to hit him hard.
Speaking of whom … The young fair-haired man crossed through the briefing room, laughing with Carter. Ah, Christ … Jack grimaced. This was gonna be like swatting a spaniel puppy unjustly. Thank God Hammond was the CO!
Teal'c came into Hammond's office and nodded his head to the General. "You were unable to change the Langarans' minds," he stated/queried.
"Damn stubborn, foolish …". Hammond broke off abruptly as Jonas and Carter walked in. "SG-1; can you wait in the briefing room, please?" he asked.
That way Jonas had some privacy, but also knew that his friends were nearby should he need them. Jack felt a renewed appreciation for General Hammond – he was a peach among two-stars.
Jack ushered his 'kids' into the briefing room, closing the door gently as Hammond and Jonas sat down.
"Sir; what's going on?" Carter asked him, wide blue eyes filled with anxiety.
"Just … wait, Carter," Jack said, giving his 2IC and friend a small smile. Somehow, and he didn't know how, he and Sam really had made a good beginning in regaining their early friendship. They'd been out a few times as friends – a movie, pizza, stargazing on the mountaintop – and he'd begun to truly realize what an amazing person she was.
And if, occasionally, he wanted to grab her and kiss her senseless … well, he could chalk that up to the simple fact that she was incredibly hot.
Ahem.
The door opened and Jonas – several shades paler than his usual healthy tan – walked out. Carter shot to her feet and went over to him. "God, Jonas … sit down," she said.
"I'm okay, thanks, Major," Jonas said, managing a small smile. "Seems I was right – I'm not welcome back with my people. General Hammond's agreed to let me stay here again."
Crap. Poor kid. Jack fiddled awkwardly with a loose button as Carter gave the young man a gentle hug. "So … you wanna go get drunk?" he asked.
"Yes," Jonas said emphatically, wrapping an arm around Carter.
"Okay; my place, 1900 hours," Jack said. "T? You up for a bit of drunken stupidity?"
"Jaffa do not drink, O'Neill," Teal'c said.
"Ah, forget that!" Jack argued. "You don't have the snake anymore – besides, it was probably some Goa'uld who made that rule."
Teal'c tilted an eyebrow – Jack still wondered where he hid the fish-hook – then dipped his head. "You have a point, O'Neill," he admitted. "I will try some of your … beer tonight."
"Cool!" Jack clapped his hands together. "Carter? Daniel? You up for drunken stupidity?"
"Sounds good, sir," Carter said, looking entirely too cozy with Jonas's young strong arm around her.
Crap. Was he jealous? Of Jonas?
Carter was a hugger. She'd hugged Teal'c, Daniel, Hammond, even Thor. And now Jonas. Was he the only one who didn't rate a Carter hug?
"I'm in too," Daniel said. "What about Janet?"
Jack raised his eyebrows, mouthing Janet? at his 2IC. She raised her own eyebrows, mouthing Keep your mouth shut … Sir in return. He loved how she did that – respectful insubordination. It was a gift.
1845 hours:
Sam knocked on the door to her CO's house. "It's open!" the Colonel … Jack … yelled.
Of course it is. Sam shook her head, then pushed the door open, entering the Colonel's pretty little one-story. She hadn't been in his house very often, but she always liked it. It was simple, homey, welcoming and just screamed Jack.
"It's just me, sir," she said, following the sounds of clattering coming from somewhere near the kitchen.
"Hey, Sam." Her CO appeared dressed in blue jeans and black tee shirt, and took the six-pack she'd brought off her. He'd evidently just come out of the shower, for his feet were bare and his hair was damp and stuck up at random angles, begging for her fingers to smooth it down. "Go through," he added.
She stuffed her hands into her pockets before they obeyed the unspoken command and headed into the living room. How come he could step out of the shower into grungy jeans and tee and look so … sexy? It wasn't fair.
Although her libido told her it was quite fair. Nothing like a bit of candy for the eyes, after all.
Heh.
Several hours later:
Huh. Who could've known their favorite Jaffa would prove such a lightweight? Without the benefit of the snake – wow, her CO was really rubbing off on her! – his tolerance for alcohol was even lower than Daniel's. And that was saying something.
He'd passed out after his third beer and was now stretched across Jack's futon, sleeping like the dead. He was even drooling slightly. It was … kinda cute.
Sam snickered into her beer. "Check out Sleeping Beauty," she said, surprised at the slight slur in her voice. Hmm … perhaps she wasn't entirely sober herself.
"Awwww, he looks cute!" Janet said. She dug out her cellphone. "I have to get me a picture!" Her slight Southern accent had broadened, indicating that she too was less than sober.
She leaned over Teal'c and aimed the small camera-phone at his face. A large hand shot up and took the phone out of her hand. "Do not, Doctor Fraiser," the Jaffa said.
"Teal'c!" Janet squeaked, falling backward in shock and landing in Daniel's lap. Not that he seemed particularly upset by that, Sam mused, judging from the arms he slipped around her to hold her against him.
"Nice … nice reflexshes, T," Jonas mumbled around a tequila shot. "Thish izh … ish good, Ja'!" He launched himself at an unsuspecting Jack and hugged him. "Thanks, Ja'! You're … you're the … greatest!"
Jack hugged the young Kelownan briefly, awkwardly, then tried to peel him off. "Uh … someone? A little help here? I got a Jonas round my neck."
Sam giggled and helped her CO. Then found herself with her very own Jonas round her neck. "And you're the greatest too, Sham!" Jonas told her. "I love you."
Sam patted his back. "Of course you do, Jonas," she said soothingly.
Jonas released her. "Oh, not like that." He wagged his finger dramatically. "Maybe if you weren't already taken, but …". He squinted around, then ran his hand through his hair, looking disoriented. "What wazh I shayin'?"
"Nothing, Jonas Quinn," Teal'c said. He popped open another bottle of beer and guzzled half of it down. Seems that little power nap had done him some good. "We should play a game."
"Christ, T; how old are you again?" the Colonel groused.
"Aw, don' be a parter-poopy, Jack!" Janet complained, leaning back into Daniel's embrace. "Or a pooter-parpy." She laughed hysterically. "Uhh … Howzabout Truth or Dare?"
"Yeah!" Daniel said enthusiastically, tightening his arms around Janet's small frame and giving a loud smacking kiss to the top of her head.
"Fine, fine," the Colonel grumbled. "But I'm going first." His hand shot up as both Daniel and Janet opened their mouths to protest. "A-ah! My house, my rules." He smirked. "So … who shall I pick on first?"
The next day – Briefing Room, SGC:
"So; in summation," Daniel said, "P2K 743 is a peaceful planet, no evidence of inhabitants, no sign of Goa'uld activity for centuries, plenty of naqadah that seems to be pretty close to the surface. Definitely worth a visit."
"Thank you, Doctor Jackson," Hammond said. "Colonel? Anything to add?"
Sam snickered as she heard a muffled groan from the man sitting next to her. "Ah … no, sir," he said. "I thought Daniel said it all very well."
"That's all well and good, Colonel, but I'd prefer you to look me in the eyes when you address me."
Ooooh, looks like someone hadn't had their coffee this morning!
Another muffled groan came from the Colonel and he raised his head. "Nothing to add, sir," he said.
"Ah … Colonel O'Neill? Your eyes …".
A magnificent scowl appeared on the Colonel's face as Sam and the rest of SG-1 looked at his kohled eyes. "It's a long story, sir," he said.
"Would it have anything to do with the drunken phone call I got last night from you, Major?"
Their commanding officer was not a man to be under-estimated. Sam went red. "I'm sorry, General," she said, suddenly remembering the phone call wherein she had expressed her deep love for all bald men. "It was a … dare." Lame. But true. And she got stupid when she drank.
"A dare?" A pained look appeared on Hammond's face. "Colonel; get that stuff off your face, then you will explain yourself."
"I … can't, sir," the Colonel said. "I've tried, but the stuff's like magic marker."
Sam could sympathize – the few times she wore eye make-up it was the devil's own job to get the stuff off. "Try Vaseline, sir," she said. "Takes the stuff off nicely."
The Colonel nudged her. "And you couldn't have told me this before the briefing?" he complained under his breath.
"Sorry, sir," Sam lied. Hell, he and Jonas had ruined her favorite sneakers thanks to an impromptu game of keepaway! He was totally asking for it.
The Colonel shot her a look that promised retribution, then rose smoothly to his feet. Aged and decrepit, my ass! "Permission to go get rid of this crap … sir?"
"Please do, Colonel." Evidently their CO's vast barrel of patience was becoming sorely depleted.
With another look at Sam that avowed vengeance, the Colonel departed to seek out a jar of Vaseline.
Oh, bring it on, sir!, Sam thought.
Stay tuned for a big honkin' flashback chapter!