Chapter 18: 200
"I'm talking about a twist. Something nobody's expecting." The door opened slowly behind Martin Loyd. Jack, who had been standing in the hallway during Marty's tirade, entered the room. He was dressed in his General's suit, which he knew would particularly please Samantha.
"You mean something like this?" He asked mockingly. He looked at her and immediately caught her gaze. She who was slouching a few seconds earlier straightened up, stunned and at attention. He smiled. He saw in her eyes the pleasure and the astonishment.
"Wow, I don't think anyone will see that coming." Vala sighed. Jack gave her an amused smile. So, it was she who was making his favorite archaeologist go crazy.
"No, but there'll be spoilers." Plaisanta Daniel.
"Are you kidding? It'll be in the commercial." Sam argued, smiling at her fiancé. SG1 then stepped forward to greet the former SG1 leader more amicably. Daniel hugged Jack, Teal'c clutched O'Neill's forearm and a smile crossed his face. Cameron shook his hand, a little less intimidated than usual. Vala simpered and placed a kiss on the General's cheek, familiar as usual. Samantha came closer, and he hugged her briefly, as he had done with Daniel.
"Carter." His warm voice warmed her, as did the brief touch of his body against hers.
"My General." She replied with that smile she only had for him.
"So what brings you this way, sir?" Cameron asked.
"What, a guy can't just stop by from Malibu to say hi ?" Jack replied. He was slightly uncomfortable. He had promised Samantha that they would talk to SG1, but he hadn't thought that it would make him so... nervous. He hadn't told his fiancée that he would be stopping by the SGC today, for that matter, he wasn't even supposed to come to the SGC today. An impulse.
"Malibu?" She was surprised and...jealous, it seemed.
"Sure. I was there on...business..." He replied amused.
"Exactly, sir. You're an Air Force general with enormous responsibilities." Samantha teased him, deadpan.
"Ostensibly, I just stopped by to see how you were doing with Marty." Samantha's smile deepened, she could clearly read him. She seemed to be on the verge of laughing. "Well, truth be known, that, uh, lately I've been a little...what? How do I say it? " Hesitated he.
"It's okay to say that you missed us, sir." She provoked him, frankly amused by his discomfort.
"No, not that." He replied at once, playing along.
"Like you have unfinished business?" Daniel offered.
"Okay." He nodded.
"You need closure. And I have the perfect thing. We're about to go on a mission to commemorate my 200th trip through the gate." Oh yes, he required closure by telling them the news they had been keeping quiet for several weeks.
(...)
"So, what's the twist? No fish? No. I need something with more impact, something more...moving." Vala nudged Daniel, obviously she had the perfect idea.
"Everyone loves a wedding." Jack nearly choked on his saliva. Samantha looked at Jack, frankly amused. He smiled at her. A wedding. She had hit the nail on the head.
(...)
They stood side by side in the SGC's boarding room. Dressed perhaps for the last time in his black field outfit. They exchanged a knowing look as he put on his hair, his famous black cap.
"Okay. Let's move out." He indicated to the young woman, brushing her shoulder with his own.
SOMEWHERE IN SPACE - PLANET P2C106
They walked side by side on the planet, exploring the place in a complicit silence, as before. They had left their packs near the door, where the little "surprise party" of the SGC was taking place. It was an idea of the general of the SGC, to organize a small "recreation" for a large part of the teams. They needed it, a moment of relaxation for the teams that had been hardest hit by the Ori invasion. It was only a few hours, which was why Jack had really come to the SGC. To participate in this event alongside Samantha. They had moved away from the secure area, walking side by side, their hands touching.
"Malibu einh?" She finally said, intertwining their fingers.
"Boring meetings and white sandy beaches... But no pretty astrophysics doctor fiancée in a bathing suit on the horizon. A deadly boring vacation." He explained, stroking his thumb across the palm of her hand. "I missed you Sam." He sighed as he placed his hand on her cheek. She smiled at him.
"I missed you too." She put her arms around his neck after making sure they were alone and away from everyone. "So you were just passing by..." He smiled at her and placed a tender kiss on her lips.
"I was thinking that we could arrange a lunch with SG1 and Cassie soon...". She questioned him with her eyes. "I filed my retirement application with the President... Let's just say my little trip to Malibu may have had something to do with a meeting with our dear President during his re-election campaign." She seemed riveted to his lips. "We are officially exempt from the no-fraternization law between officers in the same chain of command." She shuddered." The President has only asked me to do one thing... wait until the Ori are... 'under control' before making our marriage official, by retiring." He announced uncertainly. "In the meantime, he advised me to be discreet but... we are allowed to announce our engagement to our loved ones and... our careers are safe. One day, General Samantha Carter-O'Neill will be able to sit in that seat at the SGC." Although disappointed at the thought of not being able to fully experience their love in the eyes of everyone, including the base. She was relieved to learn that she and Jack were not in danger of being separated by high command. They could "unofficially"announce their intention to their friends. Finally. Then they would have to defeat the Ori.
"Then we will defeat the Ori. And then ..."
"Then I would be Mr. Samantha Carter." She laughed softly.
"I love you."
