Thank you for reading and reviewing!
One thing about the whole Sam/Pete thing
Carter was about to break up with OUR Pete before she was transferred to SAM'S reality in which Pete is about to propose to Sam.
Sam was DATING Pete and then was transferred to our reality.(Our Pete doesn't know Sam was going to break up with him.)
Anyways, many thanks to Sara Loughlin for beta'ing and...
I hope you like it!
Our reality.
"But Merry, he is so buff!"
Sam raised an eyebrow as she darted a look at Teal'c. The tall black man seemed unaware of the two teenage girls trailing after them as they shopped. One of the girls, 'Kelly' it seemed, was fascinated by the Jaffa and had been following them for the past 10 minutes. Her friend was doing her best to dissuade her- unsuccessfully apparently.
"Come on Kel... we have to scramble!"
"But Merrrrrrrrrrrrrry! Just look at 'im!"
"I am... and he's DOUBLE your age."
"So?"
"So... it'll never work!"
"Who cares... just look at him."
Sam snorted. Teal'c looked over at her and gave her a small smile
"What is amusing Major Carter?"
She shook her head. "Nothing Teal'c... nothing."
"Are you ready to leave, Major Carter?"
She nodded.
Å
Sam dropped her bags in the backseat of his car and smiled at him. "Thank you, Teal'c."
"It was not at all an inconvenience... as you say."
"Not a problem," She corrected laughingly. "Not a problem."
He inclined his head. "Shall we return to your home Major Carter?"
She nodded and the Jaffa started the car.
Alt. reality.
As Carter walked into the house, she heard a loud beeping and a familiar voice flooded the house.
"Hey Sam, this is Pete. I don't think I can make it tonight- detective work. I'm really sorry... I'll call you, bye."
Carter made a move to the machine and stopped. "What on Earth am I going to do?" She asked in a half dismayed, half comical voice.
"What... what do you mean?" Daniel asked.
"I was about to break up with Pete... and... I can't in this reality."
"Why?" Jack demanded. He'd like it... personally...
Not that it had to do with Carter going out. It was (of course) the fact he had 'followed' her everywhere for two weeks until Seth had kidnapped him. The rescue attempt had ended up with the snake being killed but Daniel had been severely wounded along with two other SGC personnel
She hesitated. "Well... what if we do find a way back? What if I can go home? Won't this Sam be... well... pissed that I broke up with him?"
Jack and Daniel exchanged glances. It made sense.
"No." Teal'c said firmly. "I believe that Major Carter did not love Pete Shanahan- that she merely used him as a distraction for O'Neill. She tried many a time to convince me she was happy... but she still has feelings for O'Neill-"
"Teal'c!"
"I speak only the tru-"
"Then don't speak at all!" He snapped.
"You have reached the residence of Samantha Carter. Please leave a name, number, and a brief message and I will get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you."
"Sam, this is Pete again. Things changed... I'll be picking you up at 7:00 as planned- I'll turn my phone off so you can't cancel! Bye!"
She lunged for the phone. "Pete? Pete?" She stood there for a moment then dropped it back on the base. "He hung up."
Jack rocked on his heels. "Looks like you're going on a date."
She groaned and sank on to the chair by the counter. "Just peachy."
Daniel raised an eyebrow. Someone had been spending a lot of time with Jack.
Å
Jack and Teal'c went to the store to get groceries while Daniel stayed home and helped Carter clean the house. The two shared life stories before the Stargate program and Carter found slight differences… especially in the life of her CO.
Daniel's cell rang. "Hello?"
He was quiet for a moment then a smile spread across his face. "Hi… how are you?"
Carter thought she heard a female voice on the other end and smiled to herself. Daniel had a girlfriend.
"I didn't know you were coming today… all by yourself?"
He laughed a second later. "Both boys have wanted to come here forever."
"Okay, I'll be there in a few minutes…"
"I love you, bye!"
Daniel snapped his cell phone closed. "I'll be back in a minute Sam, Sha're just got in-"
"What?"
The archeologist didn't pay any attention to her. "See you soon."
And he hurried out.
Carter stared after him. Sha're was alive in this reality? Janet was, Simmons, Kawalsky…
The door flew open and Teal'c strode in, his arms filled with grocery bags. 'Her' CO followed him, his arms not quite as well loaded. Minutes later, the food was unpacked and Jack and Sam were each enjoying a beer while Teal'c drank a ginger ale.
"So, where was Daniel racing off too?" Jack questioned. "He was going like a hundred miles per hour."
"Sha're's back," Carter said absently. "Daniel went to meet her."
"She came by herself?" Jack asked half incredulously.
"Some 'boys' came with her."
She watched as the Colonel's face lit up. "Skaara?
"I don't know, sir."
"Let's go and meet them!"
Carter shrugged. "Go ahead… I have a date, remember?"
"I will remain with her, O'Neill," Teal'c said quietly. "Give my regards to Rya'c and tell him I will see him very soon."
Carter felt a twinge of reproach. "Your son lives with Sha're?"
Jack nodded. "Drey'auc died a few months after Teal'c joined us. We got the boy, sent him to Sha're to grow up with Skaara." He stopped for a minute then said. "If you get your stuff together, Carter, I'll drive you back in time for you to catch Pete."
She hesitated then nodded. "Just give me a moment."
She grabbed her dress, placed items in a small backpack she had had and then the three hurried to the SGC- Teal'c driving. They entered the SGC, half running or, as Jack said, 'walking beyond fast'. The elevator dropped them off at the 25th floor. A few moments later, they were at the infirmary.
"Father!"
"O'Neill!"
Daniel and Sha're sat on a bed, watching with smiles as Skaara flung his arms around Jack and Teal'c and Rya'c shook hands vigorously.
Sha're spotted her and slipped off the bed. "Samantha," She said softly in her accented English, "It is good to see you!"
Carter wanted to say 'you have no idea' but accepted the hug the Abydos woman offered. "You too... it's been a long time."
"Many months," Sha're agreed. "I have missed you."
Carter gave her an awkward smile. She had met Sha're several times and liked her...but she hadn't really spent time with her. Sha're didn't notice that she hadn't said anything but smiled at her again and slipped back to her husband who placed an arm around her protectively.
Teal'c approached with his arm wrapped tightly around Rya'c. "Is he not growing tall and strong, Colonel Carter?"
Rya'c tried to cover his smile of pride. "My father is kind. I have worked with Bray'tac much… he has helped me. Someday he says I will be almost as good as my father!"
Carter smiled. "You'll have to watch out Teal'c," She teased. "Rya'c may surpass you in height and strength."
Rya'c beamed as he heard those words then looked at his parent. "May we leave father?"
"Indeed." He replied. They both bowed to Carter and hurried away, talking about Bray'tac and various other things.
Skaara came up with Jack. "Major Carter!"
Automatically, she found herself saying, "Actually, I'm a Colonel now."
"You are like O'Neill!" Skaara cried. He was now near 20 or even older but his enthusiasm was just like when he was younger.
She nodded. "Yeah. How've you been?"
He drew himself up. "I am getting married!"
"You are?" Both Jack and Carter questioned.
He inclined his head.
"Wow. Congrats!" The blond Colonel said. Jack didn't say anything- she could tell he still thought of Skaara as a little boy. Skaara smiled at her.
"Thank you," He looked rather sheepish. "My betrothed would like you to attend... if you are not busy O'Neill, and Colonel Carter."
She smiled. "I'd love too."
Jack hesitated then smiled. "Of course we'll come, Skaara.. C'mon kid... we'll raid the commissary!"
Our reality.
Daniel was there when they showed up- the groceries put away, the coffee brewing. He was reading some of Sam's books but instantly closed it once they walked in.
"Hey Sam!"
She dropped the clothes bags on the chair and accepted his hug. "Hey, how's it going?"
He shrugged. "Need any help?"
Teal'c picked up the plastic bags and carried them to Sam's room.
During the next few hours, she talked with Daniel, read the paper, and added thirty-five pages to her book about Wormholes… or, actually, 'Carter's' book.
Thinking of 'her' made her wonder aloud. "I wonder what I'm doing right now…"
The archeologist gave her a mischievous smile. "I know…"
Å
"I haven't played this game since college!" Sam objected looking around, half hoping her CO would burst into the house.
Daniel shrugged. "So?"
"So... I don't even remember how to play!"
"It'll come back," Daniel assured her. The Major sighed and nodded. Teal'c slowly sat next to them on the floor, clearly unsure of why any Tau'ri would play such a game.
"Okay... Truth or Dare!" The archeologist called after another swig of beer. Sam exchanged glances with the tall Jaffa.
"He's drunk, isn't he?"
"Indeed."
"C'mon guys... Sam, Truth or Dare."
"Truth."
Daniel considered for a second. "Do... you have a crush on Walter?"
"Sergeant Harriman?" She questioned. "No!"
Teal'c raised an eyebrow. "He has consumed many alcoholic beverages... perhaps we should postpone this game until he is in full po-"
"You are supposed to play it when you're drunk," Sam mused. "That way you actually tell the truth."
"I see."
"You mean all the time you've been on Earth, they've never played Truth or Dare with you?"
Daniel shook his head. "He would never agree to it. Said it was bad enough that Jack made him watch The Simpson's."
"A most pointless show. As is this game."
Just then, the doorbell rang.
"It must be Jack," Daniel said, while trying to get a hold of himself.
Sam scrambled to her feet. "I'll get the door."
Å
Jack shifted the pizzas. Dang, they were hot. The door was pulled open and a flushed 'Carter' appeared.
"Colonel! It's good to see you."
Jack didn't bother correcting her. "Major... care to take a pizza off of my hands?"
She smiled and took two of the three boxes. "Sorry, sir."'
"No need to apologize." He sat the pizza and beer down on the kitchen table. "Where's Daniel?"
An excited voice was heard arguing with Teal'c. Jack raised an eyebrow. "Drunk?"
"Getting there."
He looked disapprovingly at the clock. "And it's barely past eight."
Alt. reality.
After the raid on the commissary, they headed topside to buy Rya'c and Skaara another baseball mitt. (Baseball proved to be very popular on Chu'lak.) After much consideration, Rya'c chose one and they headed towards the nearest ice-cream shop.
By then Carter had a little less than an hour to get ready for her date.
Jack was secretly hoping she couldn't make it.
Å
Carter knotted the strings of her dress,
sighed,and surveyed herself in the mirror. If the truth were told, she looked good.
With another sigh, Samantha Carter pulled open the door hurried down the hall. Teal'c, Ry'ac, Skaara, Daniel, and 'Colonel' O'Neill were watching a hockey game. Ry'ac and Skaara looked confused but they seemed to enjoy watching it. She grinned and said teasingly. "How do I look?"
Å
Jack felt the urge to shake something. It wasn't fair… how could Carter do that to him?
She was wearing a backless black dress. It came to her knees and matched her stilettos. A fragrance filled the air around her.
"You…" Skaara began then stopped.
"Look…" Said Daniel.
"You look most admirable," Teal'c said quietly. Rya'c, who was about 17, was staring.
Daniel chanced a glance at Jack. "Yeah. You look great!"
Skaara agreed.
Jack barely nodded. "Yeah. Ready to go?"
"Yes."
And they exited the infirmary. Sha're looked up into her husbands face. "Why, Dan'yel, do they still conceal their love?"
"Stubbornness, Sha're. Stubbornness."
Å
Colonel Jack O'Neill pulled up in front of his second-in-command's house. "He's not here."
She glanced at the clock. "He has five minutes, sir."
Jack tapped the dashboard, "Yeah."
After a minute, he turned off the engine. "So... where do you think he'll take you?"
She shrugged.
"Need a ride to the SGC?"
She nodded. "My car's on base... we took Teal'c's earlier."
"Okay. Call me when you're ready."
Carter was silent for a few moments before finally asking, "Was your Sam a lot like me?"
Jack thought about it for a moment. "I suppose... techno babble, doohickeys, fondness for blue jello, dislikes fishing-or won't try it... yeah, if you're like that, you're like Carter."
She nodded.
Jack hesitated before adding. "She also had a guy thing...'
"What do you mean?"
"All these guys had major crushes on her... and they all died."
"Like whom?"
"Narim... Joe... God Jonas... and more."
"So, you know the Tollan?"
"We saved their arses from a volcano and they tell me we're primitive... the only ones they liked was you and Daniel."
A car pulled up behind them. Jack bit back a bad word, got out of the car then opened her door. "Don't forget... mission briefing at 0900."
"See you later, Colonel."
"Same to you... Colonel."
"You were promoted, Sammie?"
Carter looked at the eager man. "No... It's er... a joke." She said awkwardly. "Uh..."
He handed her a rose. "For you."
Jack gave her a quick wave before heading back to the truck and driving off. Watching her with that man made him want to down a beer.
Our reality.
Sam swallowed the last bit of her pizza. "Thank you, sir."
He gave her a quick smile before turning back to Teal'c. "I'm going to win," He taunted.
Teal'c looked at his car, far behind Jack's and reached over and unplugged the television. "I do not believe so, O'Neill."
"Hey!"
Sam looked over at the couch. Daniel was fast asleep. She smiled and draped an afghan over him.
"So..." Jack began dropping his controller. "S'pose it's bed time..."
"It's only 11:30, sir."
The General groaned. "SG-9 is getting back in half an hour."
"Tonight?"
Jack nodded. "Apparently the planet they're on only allows the 'chapp'ai' to be activated at night."
"Really?"
"Yep."
Teal'c stood up, both controllers in his arms. "I shall accompany you, O'Neill."
His friend's eyes darted to Carter. "You... are?"
"I believe Daniel Jackson will keep Major Carter plenteous company."
Jack shrugged. "Ooooooookay then. Later, Carter."
"Good night, Major Carter."
Sam smiled. "Night sir, night Teal'c."
The two men nodded. "Night."
Alt. reality.
Carter gave her a date a small smile. "Thanks, Pete."
He grinned widely. "So... what now?"
She checked her watch. "It's late and I need to get back on base."
Pete frowned. "I was hoping that... well... you and I could hang out tonight... I haven't been able to make it out here that often recently and..."
She sighed. "I know Pete... and I'm sorry. But things are hectic at work... really hectic."
He barely nodded. "Okay, then." He hesitated. "I'm not going to be able to make it down for two, three weeks."
Carter bit her lip. "Oh... I'll miss you."
He moved closer to kiss her and she unconsciously pulled away.
"What's the matter with you, Sam?" He demanded.
"Nothing!"
"You're acting like a cold fish!"
She was about to retort when she remembered that this wasn't her boyfriend... it was her boyfriend and maybe she loved him.
"I'm sorry, Pete... I'm just tired."
Pete looked mollified. "Okay... why don't you head back to work?"
She nodded and pulled out her cell phone. "Sir? It's Carter. I'll be at my house in ten minutes."
"On my way."
She smiled. "Thank you, sir." Closing her phone, she saw 'her' boyfriend giving her a curious glance.
"My uh... car's broken. Gen-Colonel O'Neill is giving me a ride to base."
His brow creased.
The ride back to her house was made in silence. As they drove up, they were surprised to see Jack's truck, sitting outside.
"He sure hurried," Pete commented.
Carter unbuckled and opened her door. "Yeah."
Pete followed her out. "Bye, Sam."
She hesitated then hugged him. "Good bye Pete... see you later."
Jack opened the car door for her and she slipped in.
"How'd the date go?"
She shrugged. "Okay, I guess."'
He started the car. "Oh."
Once at the SGC, they parted ways, each to their own quarters.
I think most of you will like the next chapter... it's certainly a little more interesting!
I hope you liked this chapter...
PLEASE review!