It was the evening of the 2nd and she was sitting in her living room staring at the ridiculous apron that Pete had bought her. It came around the neck and waist, was covered in pink flowers, and had lace around the edges. She should have known something was wrong when he bought it. Daniel had tried to tell her, and what had she done? Ignored him, hurt her best friend because of an apron.
They hadn't ever spoken about the night when their relationship became strained although she remembered that night clearly. It had been two weeks before the wedding, and he had come to her to try and talk. When he had knocked on her door, Pete had answered, and when he asked for her Pete told him she was busy and couldn't come to the door.
At this Daniel had of course questioned what she was doing that would keep her from talking, and Pete had answered that she was making dinner. She had heard Daniel, when he had finished laughing say, "Pete, Sam doesn't cook."
Pete had gotten an attitude then and opened the door wider to allow him inside. When he came into the kitchen Sam had had her hand in a bowl of brownie mix trying to retrieve a lost spoon. There was flower on her face, her hair was pulled off her face with little clips, and there was a burning smell coming from the stove.
The look of shock on Daniel's face was almost comical. He just looked at her, in her frilly pink apron and flour smudged face and said,
"Sam, this isn't you."
Her reply was just as short, sharp, and drenched with as much meaning as his statement had been.
"It is now Daniel."
He scrutinized her with eyes that knew and understood too much. Turning for the door he looked back at her and simply said, "It doesn't have to be. Don't do this to yourself, or him, Sam. It isn't right, and you know it."
She followed him to the door and stood on the porch as he drove away. Completely forgetting Pete was there, she ripped the apron off and threw it at the empty driveway trying to hold back the tears she knew were coming.
She hated this apron.
Teal'c had brought it to the door with him when he stopped by later that night. Pete was asleep already. She had heard the car pull up and met him at the door before he knocked. She couldn't take another lecture from Pete about her teammates interrupting their life.
He didn't come inside and with a solemn look on his face stated, "Daniel Jackson was quite upset when he returned. I believe this was the cause." Handing her the apron.
"You are a strong woman, Samantha Carter. You deserve much more than you have chosen for yourself. I will support whatever decision you make, and will stand by you always, but it is my duty to tell you I disagree. I will leave you in peace tonight. I wish you well Samantha."
With shaking hands she wrung the apron as she replied, "Thank you Teal'c, goodnight."
With determination she grabbed her zippo and the apron and headed to the backyard.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - -- - -
That's where he found her. The sun was setting behind her, a small bonfire in front of her, and there was a small kitchen fire extinguisher in her right hand.
He watched from the shadows as she let the fire die down, and then literally pounded out the embers with the fire extinguisher. He could tell there was emotion behind her actions, and was afraid for her lawn, which now had a new and slightly deep hole in it.
"You're supposed to pull the pin and spray the fire, Carter. Not beat it into submission."
A/N I wanted to explain a little more about why she groveling so much and to so many people. I realized these were the reasons in my head—but you didn't know that, so… I tried. I know its kind of a cliffhanger, but a couple of reviews changed the way I was going to do the ending, and its going to be so much better now, so thank you reviewers!