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Irrevocable Decision Part 6

Sam smiled cautiously, her blue eyes unable to move from the woman putting a mug into the dishwasher. She couldn't help thinking that this woman's – what was her name? - day uniform was a hell of a lot more becoming than the BDUs she got to wear most days.

Suddenly aware that the woman she couldn't take her eyes off was holding out her hand, Sam managed to bring some semblance of order to her overactive thoughts and reciprocated the move.

"Hi…pleased to meet you." Liar, liar, liar! Sam was relieved her voice sounded so normal when she actually felt…

"Well, I'm sorry to leave just as you arrive, Sam but I've got to complete my rounds. Maybe I'll see you at the dance?" Olivia moved to the door aware that just as Sam's gaze was fixed on her, Jack had eyes only for the tall blonde in blue jeans and white shirt.

"Dance?" Sam didn't sound so much curious as confused. Having been on the road for too many hours to count she was finding it difficult to get her head round anything in the least bit tending to normality. "I don't think--."

"It's just a local weekly affair – nothing special – held at the barn at the end of town. Casual but fun. It's tomorrow so if you're still here get Jack to bring you along." Then with another wave of her hand she stepped out of the cabin and shortly after, her vehicle was heard drawing away.

Reluctant to admit her discomfort now she was actually here, Sam gave both men her fiercest glare to help cover up her own inadequacies.

"What's going on, Sam?"

"You tell me, Dad!" she stated coolly, giving him a level stare. "Daniel rang me in the early hours of the morning, alarmed to hear first from …" She paused, unsure what term to use, then with the slightest of shrugs, continued, "Jack O'Neill, and next that you're here at his cabin. And last," and here her voice had dipped to a glacial level, "for some unknown reason my health appeared to be in question!"

With her attention glued to her father, Jack again had the opportunity to observe his former second in command, and try as he might not to stare his restraint was in tatters now that she was actually here before him. He was, however, very careful to adopt a thoroughly casual stance, hands in pockets, giving the appearance of someone who couldn't give a damn whether she was here before him looking slightly dishevelled or not.

Jacob began to rub his two hands together not realizing it was a sure sign to his daughter that he was feeling ill at ease. He smiled confidently. "It was a slight misunderstanding on Jack's part, that's all." And he took care neith to acknowledge Jack's derisive snort nor to meet his less than pleased expression. "No big mystery there, and as for me being here, as I told Jack, I felt like dropping in."

Sam blinked, her cold blue eyes narrowing suspiciously as she approached her father to stand directly in front of him.

"What's that?"

Jacob was all too aware Sam was staring at his cut lip and bruised jaw.

"What?" His voice was too innocent and he knew it.

"I hit him."

She whirled around, meeting Jack's eyes for the first time and didn't pretend to hide her reluctance nor her contempt.

'Excuse me?" Her tone was heavy with disgust.

"You heard me, Carter."

And even as she stood there her whole manner concentrated on piercing the armour she knew all too well he'd erected around himself so stiffly erect, her whole demeanour conveying her reproach, still she felt her senses alive to his presence. And while her mind denied any interest in the tall, grey-haired man who used to be her CO, yet her body failed her miserably. Appalled at the racing of blood through her veins and arteries and the wild beating of her heart, she shook her head in disbelief and willed herself to give him a withering look. Then deliberately turning her back on him, she once again faced her father, eyeing him warily.

"You had no--."

Excited barking interrupted her tirade forcing her to turn to the open doorway.

"What the hell's that?" Jack asked, moving to the sound.

"Never heard of a dog before, Jack?" Jacob's supercilious grin was erased the moment he felt Sam's irritable glare on him as she marched out of the kitchen and to her car.

"Is that Oscar?" Jacob had followed on her heels. "What're you doing with him?"

"Mark and the family have gone for a short trip to Hawaii and I offered to dog sit."

"So why aren't you at…?" His words trailed off as he felt the glare on him again.

"That was the plan!" she snapped dryly, "Until Daniel phoned me. Anyway, I need to--."

"The dog needs some exercise, Carter." Sam stared at Jack dangerously. "Come on Carter, don't take it out on the damn dog just because you're pissed with me."

And without waiting for permission, he opened the rear door of Sam's car thereby allowing the large black and white mixed breed to lollop across the snow covered lawns and urinate against the first tree it met.

She couldn't help herself, and knowing how childish it was she still couldn't help it, but she was incredibly annoyed when Oscar came galloping back to the group and sniffed both Jack and Jacob in a friendly manner. The moment Jack went down on his haunches and allowed the dog to snuffle him around the ears, whilst Jack returned the favour by scratching behind canine ears, the bond was forged and nothing Sam could say or do could change that fact. The canine was in seventh heaven and Sam's irritations levels rose a hundredfold.

"Oscar!"

The hound ignored the commanding tone, eyes now closed as it leaned heavily into Jack's scratching hand.

"Get in the car. Now!"

Still no response. The love that oozed out of every pore of the canine began to be returned by Jack as Sam's annoyance grew. A wide grin was plastered on the ex-colonel's face as he began to enjoy the dilemma facing Jacob's daughter. In the end, blue eyes flashing lightning bolts, Sam marched up to the dopey hound and grabbed it by the collar, heaving on the leather and only then, with a gentle shake of its head, did the dog reluctantly accompany her to her car.

"You might try working on those commands a bit, Carter," Jack advised, a deadpan expression on his face, but it was as if he'd never spoken. Turning to her father, Sam said softly, "I'm staying at the Mountain Lodge five miles down the road tonight. I need to go get some shuteye now but maybe we can have an early dinner together?" Her tone had softened dramatically and Jacob smiled, nodding his head in acquiescence. His eyes moved to Jack but Sam chose to ignore the subtle hint to include him in the invitation, getting into her car and departing without another word.

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(Go to Part 7)