Thank you SO much for reviewing!

Okay, anyways, I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Ack, wait! Just wanted to re-remind you that time within the realities are different!

Oh, and a BIG thank-you to my beta, Sara Loughlin, for catching my major error!

That's all. Honest.


Our reality.

Sam groaned and reached for her phone, while keeping an eye on her clock whose digital numbers clearly stated that it was 6:37, P.M. "Samantha Carter."

"SAM!" A girlish voice cried. "It's Cassie! How you doing? We still going shopping?" the voice stopped for a second. "Did… you break up with Pete?"

The Major unconsciously dropped the phone. 'Carter' was breaking up with Pete? Why?

"Eh… Sam? Hellllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllo!"

She picked up the receiver. "Oh, hey, sorry about that Cassandra…I didn't even know that you knew how to use a telephone!"

There was dead silence. "Uh… hello! I've been here for, what, eight years? I'm 'most twenty? I've only called you a million times…!"

Sam smacked her forehead. They had obviously rescued the young adult much earlier than HER SG-1 had. "Just kidding," She said weakly. "I'm… great… how are you? I uh… when are we going shopping again?"

"Actually, it was shopping, coffee, and the movies, but, I won't get technical." Cassie laughed. "Tomorrow, about three… don't forget to get time off!"

She ran her fingers through her hair and mentally went through what was planned for the next day. "Well, I'm free… Col-General O'Neill gave me tomorrow off… actually, I'm heading over to his house in a few minutes."

"Sweet!" Cassie squealed. "I was thinking about dropping by… you know, surprising the gang… college takes a lot out of ya, it's nice to have a break. We get Monday and Tuesday off 'cause they're finishing some remodeling."

Sam tucked the cordless phone under her ear and began shutting down her lab while listening to the young woman chat excitedly. Finally, Cassandra paused and asked again, "So… how did Pete take the news?"

"What news?" The Major asked absently, half hoping the girl would hang up. On their world, Cassandra, at barely 19, had bonded with Daniel the most… after she finally talked to them, seven months after they rescued her.

"The news that you were breaking up with him! C'mon! You didn't chicken out again, did you? 'Cause I'm telling you, he'll be a lot more hurt when you ditch him at the altar!"

"I'm-"

"Sam! Remember our 'private' chat? Huh? You promised you would tell Jack how you felt… I mean, sure, he should know… 'Specially after the whole zay'tarc thing… but that was years ago and you know him…"

Samantha looked at her drab gray walls, only brightened by a few photos and the reflections of a light. "Apparently not this Jack," She said quietly.

"What was that? My cell is acting up and-"

"Nothing," She said quickly. "I got to go, Cassandra, it was great talking to you and…see you later."

"All right. Oh, and Sam?"

The Major stifled a sigh. "Yes?" She asked, turning off the last light, which plunged the lab into darkness.

"Don't forget to tell Pete."

Sam ended the call, grabbed her keys, and headed out the door.

Å

"Sir!"

Jack opened his door wider. "Well, Carter, you finally showed."

"Cassie called me," She explained.

He nodded and stepped aside, allowing her to enter. "How is she?"

Sam shrugged. "She sounded fine."

The General looked at her. "Okay, what is it?"

She looked up. "What?"

"You look as befuddled as you did when you found out that you were a Colonel here."

"You guys rescued her eight years ago?" Sam asked.

He mentally calculated. "Something like that."

"In my reality, we rescued Cassandra nearly a year ago. She was scared stiff of us… she only started talking four months ago. She bonded with Daniel and especially with Janet. They- Janet and Cassie- were supposed to go on a mini vacation next weekend."

Jack was contemplating on the differences in their realities when Teal'c appeared in the doorway. "O'Neill, Major Carter. Shall we not begin?"

"Guy loves his Sci Fi," Jack muttered before raising his voice and saying, "Be right there… wouldn't miss it for the world."

The Jaffa inclined his head and disappeared. The General sighed and gestured to the living room. "After you."


Alternate Reality.

Carter brushed her damp hair away from her face and unconsciously placed her hands on her hips. "What are you doing here?"

The cop's eyes widened. "I came to see my girlfriend… got a problem with that?"

"I thought you said you were going to be gone two or three weeks!"

He took a step closer. "I'm sorry I didn't call you, babe, but I got my schedule changed… thought it'd be a nice surprise." He looked slightly hurt that his 'sacrifice' wasn't appreciated.

She softened. As much as she didn't want to deal with this right now, she was stuck with him… for now. "Oh. How… nice."

Daniel and Jack caught the slight sarcastic tinge but Pete didn't seem to notice. He stepped forward and attempted to kiss her but she sidestepped him. "We're going to a movie," She said hurriedly. "Would you

like to join us?"

Teal'c frowned for a brief second before his normally inscrutable features smoothed back into a blank mask.

"I'd love to go!"

She shot an apologetic look to her teammates. "I think we're ready to leave…?"

Everyone nodded.

Carter rubbed her forehead and led the way out the door. She had a feeling that this was going to turn into a long evening.

Å

This had been a bad idea.

First of all, none of them could agree on a movie. Her 'CO' was for 'Shaggy Dog'; Daniel had surveyed all the movies and decided that out of all of them, 'Ice Age 2' looked the best. Teal'c picked 'V for Vendetta' while Pete rooted for '16 Blocks'.

Personally, she thought they all looked stupid with the possible exception of Teal'c's choice. However, when Pete began poking fun at Daniel for his choice, the Jaffa and the Colonel abandoned their choices and joined Daniel.

So, here they were, sitting in an overfilled theatre with the smell of stale popcorn in the air, watching a cartoon about global warming.

Gen- Colonel O'Neill was on one side and Pete on the other. The detective had NOT been happy when he noticed her CO automatically taking a seat beside her. He was even more annoyed when he noticed them sharing popcorn.

Overall, the mood was pretty down as they exited the theatres. Carter was vainly trying to keep a conversation going when Teal'c suggested, "O'Malley's?"

The agreement was unanimous.

Å

Pete frowned as his girlfriend laughed and prepared for her shot at the pool table.

Upon arriving at O'Malley's, they had been escorted to a table called unofficially 'the Air Force table'. 'Jack' had ordered for them all (excepting himself of course) and even got Sam's drink right. During their dinner, Sam had tried to keep a conversation going but he had been too busy trying to find proof that her CO had feelings for her that he hadn't even tried.

And now, they were playing pool. (Daniel, Teal'c, and himself had bowed out; using the excuse they were terrible at the game.)

O'Neill had played with her.

He was reminding himself he had nothing to worry about when his pager went off.

"Sam?" He called. "I gotta go… see you later."

She gave him a small smile and a nod before making her shot.

Inwardly cursing, he left. Once he was gone, Jack dropped his stick on the table and looked over at his 2IC. "Ready to go?"

Carter nodded. "Let's go."


Our reality.

Sam yawned and looked at the clock. "I think I'll have to pass on the last two, Teal'c," She yawned again. "It's three o'clock."

Teal'c regretfully turned off the TV screen. "Very well, Colonel Carter."

Daniel snored. Sam looked over at her friend and couldn't repress a little giggle. He was sprawled across the couch, half asleep. At that sound, the archaeologist snorted and opened his eyes. "Fascinating," He mumbled.

"Go back to sleep," Jack ordered.

He nodded and closed his eyes. Moments later, he was fast asleep again.

"You guys want to just stay?" Sam asked. "The den's all ready."

Jack looked over at Teal'c who barely nodded. "Sure."

She smiled. "Okay, then… night, sir."

"Night, Carter."

"Good night, Major Carter."

Sam gave them another smile before disappearing down the hall and into her bedroom. Jack looked over at the Jaffa. "Later then."

"Good night, O'Neill."


Alt. Reality.

It had started so innocently. After returning to her house, Daniel had only stayed for a few minutes before heading back to the SGC. Teal'c stayed and the three finished the last Indiana Jones movie they had been watching last team night. The Jaffa had taken the only armchair, leaving Carter and Jack the couch. They had started on opposite sides of the couch- by the middle of the film, they had drifted closer. Carter had fallen asleep, curled up into a little ball. He had told Teal'c to go home, that he'd take care of Carter. He had picked her up, and carried her down the hall, and placed her on the bed. He was tucking her in when she opened her eyes.

"Sir," She whispered, licking her lips. "What are you doing here?"

Unconsciously, without thinking, he kissed her.

Ho, hum...

Whatcha think?

Major thanks again to Sara!

Please review!