WHH chpt 7
"George, can I ask you something?" Kathryn asked, as they walked slowly along the garden path leading to the Japanese restaurant. Low lights lit the way and a splash of water ahead beckoned.
"Shoot."
Kathryn hesitated, unsure how to phrase her question. She and the general had dated several times and she enjoyed his company very much. His dry sense of humor kept her amused; his 'old school' gentlemanly manners made her feel special. Finding time to see each other was difficult, though. Her four boys took up most of her evenings and weekends and SGC constantly called George in to deal with problems. He promised to speak with Colonel O'Neil about splitting call duty, but even so, there were still issues only he could manage.
While she did not see him often at the mountain, she knew he was constantly on the go and pushed himself harder than he did his staff. He was one of those men who gave his all. There was no time for lunches or chats and he always looked serious when she glimpsed him in the hallways.
Away from work, however, he was more relaxed, and enjoyed discussing anything and everything. Not one to dominate the conversation, he asked her views and listened intently, not just halfway.
She was afraid it was too good to be true.
"Are we…are we supposed to be seeing each other?" The words came out faintly; she was nervous.
"Absolutely!" George's expression was a cross between a leer and a grin.
Kathryn could not help but laugh, but became solemn a few steps later.
"What I meant was… are we allowed to?"
George didn't answer immediately, but stopped near the waterfall, considering. "You mean because you work in my command."
"Yes."
"Well, technically, no." He sat on the rock wall, watching her by the light of the colored lanterns. He smiled. "But, I've been known, on occasion, to disregard rules that did not suit."
She moved to stand near him and looked out over the pool of water. "So we should-"
"We should keep it low-key," he finished for her. "Understand that I do not mean we sneak around, hiding." He lifted a hand and gestured to their surroundings. "We can go where ever we wish, see each other as we choose. But, at work, it's best kept out of view, that's all."
His words did little to lessen her concern. "If someone knew, would it be a problem?"
George shrugged. "I suppose that if someone wanted to create trouble for me, it could become an serious issue." He stood and put his arm lightly around her shoulders. "Nothing I can't handle, though. Come on, let's go try some sushi."
Kathryn let the subject drop as he led her to the restaurant's entrance, but her worry lingered.
It was almost three weeks before they were both free on the same night for dinner. Her younger sons were at a neighbor's birthday sleepover, the older two at a church youth lock in. Usually, when George came by to pick her up, the boys were at a sitter's house or with friends. They had not met him yet and she wanted George to know her sons… but that would entail acknowledging their relationship was more than just friendship.
Was she ready for that?
The restaurant, The Hilltop, overlooked the city. The meal was delicious, George more relaxed than she'd ever seen him, but she was troubled.
The walkway to the parking lot skimmed the over look's edge and below them, the city glittered through a light fog. There might be snow later.
George stopped. Pulling her close, he kissed her.
Kathryn tried to relax. Alone over the past years, she missed being held. Her late husband came to mind and she tensed in George's arms then pulled away.
He studied her, a slight frown of concern on his face.
"I can tell something's bothering you- has been all evening," he said gently.
She looked to the city lights, unable to answer.
"I never told you about my husband," she finally said.
George waited.
"I was blind, really. Never even suspected…" She felt his hand rub across her back and she took a breath to continue. "He was having an affair with a woman from his office. I caught them- came home early one day. He chose her."
George quietly sucked in his breath, furious. "I'm sorry," he said, gently pulling her closer. He kissed her hair.
"He died on a State Department trip to North Africa and I soon discovered he'd mortgaged the house to buy her a home and sold off much of our investments." She laughed dully. "Our retirement fund is probably hanging around her neck."
She leaned her head against his shoulder. "We were in the process of a divorce when he died."
George shook his head. "I don't like to speak ill of the dead….but, he was an A-one…." He stopped, his jaw tight, before he said more.
"Don't worry, you can't call him anything I haven't," she said, looking up at him. But, I decided I could either live in anger or move on with my life. I chose to move on."
For a long moment, George simply looked at her. "You are a remarkable woman," he said slowly.
"No, not really. It still makes me very angry to think about what he did to me- and to the boys. It hurts terribly," she replied, looking away. "I don't…trust easily, now."
"I don't blame you. No one would after something like that."
"It's easier to keep a distance." She met his gaze. "If I sometimes seem…" She faltered and looked away quickly.
George touched her cheek and waited until she looked back at him.
"If I'm going to fast, you let me know," he said evenly. "We can go as slow as you want."
She nodded. "Thank you for understanding."
He took her hand and stepped back, to lead her to his car. "Let's get out of the cold."
"George," she said, resisting his gentle tug. "Don't' go too slow."
He came back to her, gazing at her as if seeing her in a new light.
Damned if I haven't gone and fallen in love with her, he thought.
"No, ma'am." He touched his lips to hers and felt her arms slide around his middle.
"What cold?" she said, and he pulled her tight against his body, kissing her passionately.
"So, whose idea was it to come here?" Daniel asked, as he pulled into the parking lot. It was a fair drive from the city; Antonio's Pizza Garden was a lot closer.
"The birthday girl," Jack answered.
"The Hilltop is said to be wonderful," Janet explained, defending her choice.
"Yeah, if you don't starve before getting here."
"Sir, you and Teal'C ate a whole can of Pringles on the way up here," Sam pointed out.
Jack waved a hand dismissively. "Just a few chips. I'm ready to eat. What about you, big guy?"
"Indeed."
Daniel pulled into a parking spot in the middle row, facing the overlook. He killed the engine and jammed the handbrake on. "Let's go!"
"WAIT!"
"Carter, what the-"
"Look, over there!"
"What?" Jack scowled at the blonde woman next to him in the back seat then pushed his door open.
"That couple- it's the general," she hissed.
"Nah!"
Sam reached across him, half lying in his lap and jerked his door closed. "That's General Hammond! We can't get out."
"She's right!" Janet called out, from Sam's right. "It is the general…and Kathryn Freeman."
"Why do you suppose they're here?" Daniel asked.
The five watched the couple talk and Hammond take her hand in his.
"Do you suppose they are…dating?" Sam whispered.
Hammond leaned forward and kissed Kathryn, then the two stepped apart.
"I don't think they are here discussing SG policy," Jack said sagely.
Sam and Janet exchanged glances and grinned, eyebrows going up in unison as Kathryn laid her head on Hammond's shoulder.
"The general does have a charm about him," Janet remarked. Sam nodded in agreement.
Jack turned his head to the right, face screwing up in disgust. "Oh, please!"
"Well, he does, sir," Sam said. Jack rolled his eyes and looked back to the reason he was sitting in a cramped car, starving.
Hammond gave Kathryn a quick kiss.
"A good start," Jack said, nodding. "Needs more intensity, though"
Janet and Sam gave him a look.
"What? Do you really think they're seriou- Whoa! Oh yeah, I'd say so!" Jack exclaimed, sitting upright. This was suddenly getting more interesting. Hammond grabbed Kathryn and started some earnest making out. "This is not a first date situation here, guys."
Teal'C's eyebrows rose. "Indeed!"
"She's an SGC employee, he's the commander," Daniel said thoughtfully. "They're not supposed to, uh, be doing that, are they?"
"Well, offhand- and this is just a wild guess- but I'd say that neither one really cares about that, Daniel," Jack replied sarcastically.
"I wonder how long they've been seeing each other," Janet asked, as the couple came up for air, then went at it again.
"Well, I never had a clue anything was going on," Sam added.
"Me neither," Daniel agreed.
"Never gave it a thought," Jack said.
"I knew."
All eyes turned to the former Goa'uld.
"How?" Jack demanded.
"It was not difficult to discern based upon my observations," Teal'C replied. "The recent behavior of General Hammond and Doctor Freeman led me to believe they feel a depth of emotion for one another."
"Want to take a moment to catch your breath, big guy?" Jack asked.
Teal'C turned to stare at him.
"Ok, maybe not, then."
Remembering the couple, all eyes snapped forward. The general and Kathryn were still wrapped in each other's arms, kissing.
"Do you think we should be watching this?" Janet asked, shifting to the left for a better view.
"We can't get out or they'll see us," Sam reasoned. "So, it's not like we're spying on them. Sir, could you not lean on me."
"I can't see because Daniel won't stop moving around!" Jack muttered, thumping the back of Daniel's seat. "How about picking a position and staying there- what are you, one of those bobble headed….space monkeys?"
The couple finally broke apart and Kathryn rested her head on Hammond's shoulder as he nuzzled her neck.
"All this time….and we never knew!" Sam sighed.
"And we can't let them know we do, either," Janet said seriously.
"Why, uh, can't we?" Daniel asked.
"Because," she explained patiently, "their seeing each other isn't allowed-"
"They seem to be managing nicely despite that," Jack interrupted.
"-AND they might be uncomfortable knowing that we know."
"That they know that we know they know…" Jack said, giving her an innocent look.
"Anyway," Janet continued, trying to ignore the colonel, "the longer they can keep their relationship under wraps, the better. If it were to become known around the mountain, it could be difficult for the general, in particular."
They watched as Kathryn seemed to melt against the general.
"They make a cute couple," Sam said dreamily.
"Uh huh," Janet agreed.
"Oh, now don't go starting with the hearts and flowers," Jack groused.
"No, really, Jack, she has a point," Daniel said, ever the voice of reason. "General Hammond has been in a lot better mood lately, you have to admit."
"Yeah, well, that's no reason to go get all sappy back here," he said, moving away from Sam. He quickly resumed leaning against her to see around Daniel's headrest.
The couple began kissing again. There was quiet in the car for a full minute.
"I am impressed," Daniel said slowly, full of admiration.
"Indeed." Teal'C nodded, eyebrows rising as Hammond and Kathryn continued to neck.
"This ought to either lower his stress levels or shoot his blood pressure through the roof," Janet noted.
"She'll be good for him," Sam said. "He never lets on, but I think General Hammond must be lonely."
"He needs someone," Janet agreed, shaking her head. "He has way too much on him and no one to support him."
"Such a sweet romance…"
"Anyone got any popcorn, peanuts?"
"Jack!"
"Colonel!"
"Sir!"
"Ow! Your elbow's sharp, Carter! That hurt!"
"Sorry, sir," Sam answered, without a shred of remorse.
Grumbling, Jack rubbed his right side and inched carefully back toward Sam.
"The windows are fogging up. I can't see a thing!" Daniel complained, wiping at his window.
"Teal'C, wipe the windshield," Jack said, squinting at the now blurry couple.
"What shall I use?" Teal'C asked gravely.
"Use your hanky."
One of Teal'C's eyebrows shot up. "Hank-ee?"
"Yeah, you know- what you blow your nose on," Jack explained.
"Blow my nose?"
"Oh, for heaven's sake!" Janet said, digging in her purse. "Here."
Two ragged, fuzzy tissues sailed over Teal'C's shoulder.
"Have these been used?" he asked dourly, staring at the tissues as if they were about to crawl around on his lap.
"No, of course not!"
"Teal'C! Wipe the window already!"
Teal'C picked up the tissues with a care usually reserved for handling radioactive material then swiped them once across the windshield.
"Aw, they're leaving!" Daniel said, disappointed.
"You expected them to stand out there going at it all night?" Jack asked.
"Looked like they were going to." Daniel grinned. "The general sure is something!"
A red glow filled the car as Hammond's Tahoe started then went into reverse before backing out. They watched in silence as it pulled away slowly.
"Let's eat!"
"I'm starving!"
"Indeed!"
The men flung their doors open and scrambled out.
Janet and Sam looked at each other. "Men!"
