A/N: Thank you for the reviews! I enjoyed reading them and will reply to them soon! I love getting in touch with those of you that reviewed! I've made two very good friends this way and I like the idea of expanding my FFN Social Circle!
Okay, okay, so this may be a tad OOC for our beloved Samantha. We ALL know that she is more than capable of kicking ass when she needs to, however, I feel she wouldn't resort to violence in the first instance. She's level headed enough to try and talk things out first.
Also, I feel this is a fair commentary on what some women (and men!) can experience while out with their friends. No means no, people! And in the wise words of my father "you're not rude when you have to be 'impolite' because the person doesn't understand the word 'no' the first time. Forget manners if someone is making you uncomfortable."
Anywho, this takes on a bit more of a social theme, rather than a mission one. Enjoy the idea of which Goa'uld System Lord would be best to be a meteorologist! I don't know about you, but I'm rather partial to Ba'al telling me it's a snow day than anyone else! (LOL!)
Please, enjoy! As always, mistakes are mine!
3. Hands Off!
"How long until you're ready?" asked Daniel, arms folded across his chest as he leant against the doorframe of the shower room.
It was a Saturday evening. SG-1 had just got back from a three day mission and were looking forward to their downtime. No member would be called in before Monday – they had the General's word. So, of course, Jack had suggested a team night. A meal and a drink or two at O'Malley's and then a sleepover with movies and junk food at Jack's until they were refreshed and ready to go, due in on Monday.
Teal'c and Daniel had agreed, so the boys turned to Sam, who seemed to be wrestling with the temptation of several pieces of technology calling her name.
"Sam, come on! When was the last time we had a team night?"
"Indeed. Our last scheduled team building evening was disrupted by the Tok'ra calling for assistance."
"Yeah, Carter! And the time before that, the Asgard popped in!"
Sam had rolled her eyes as they descended the ramp after they arrived back under the mountain and agreed, much to the boys' excitement.
They were medically cleared and after they had debriefed Hammond on what had been a very uneventful seventy two hours, they were off to the changing rooms.
"Okay, here's the plan." began Jack as he led the way to the showers. "We grab a quick shower and change. We'll meet topside in twenty minutes, grab my truck, go to O'Malley's for a steak and a beer-"
"Or two." input Daniel.
"Yeah, or two, then we crash at mine for the rest of the weekend. Sunday, we can have movies, pizza, ice cream, whatever we fancy. Sound good?"
"Which films will we be observing, O'Neill?"
Sam shook her head and excused herself to go to her lab. She had just about managed three steps when she felt a hand enclose around her upper arm and heard a tell-tale "ah, ah, ah".
Sam turned to look and was met with Jack regarding her with a suspicious look. "Sir, how can I help?"
"Nope. Not a chance, Carter!"
Daniel and Teal'c watched with amused expressions as Jack shook his head. "Sam, where you going?"
"To get my overnight bag? I have a change of clothes in there too!"
"Hell no, Carter. I know what will happen." scolded Jack playfully, a hint of laughter in his voice as Sam looked up at him innocently, "You'll go into your lab to grab your stuff and then you'll accidentally bury that genius brain of yours in some alien technology and then you'll forget all about me, Teal'c and the space monkey-"
"Hey!"
"We'll grow old and die waiting for you to pull yourself out of those space doo-dads and I don't know about you, Carter, but Teal'c is older than me and I'm not sure I can deal with being the last one standing, waiting for you to turn up before we order our steak."
Sam raised an eyebrow, an amused half smirk gracing her features. "What?"
"What of Daniel Jackson, O'Neill? You are older than he is."
"Teal'c, everyone knows I would shoot him because despite being his age and a "smart guy"," Jack let go of Sam's arm to use his fingers for quote marks, "he hasn't yet learnt the value of silence."
Teal'c raised an eyebrow and mirrored Sam's half smirk, making her giggle while Daniel spread his arms out in disbelief.
"Wow, Jack."
"I'm calling it like it is, Danny boy and you, young lady," Sam stopped laughing as Jack turned on her, "I'll get your bag. I'll save you from temptation, Carter, don't you worry!"
Daniel snorted and turned on his heel, not seeing the glares from Sam or Jack or the knowing smile on Teal'c's face. "I'll meet you guys in the showers in five."
Teal'c bowed his head to Sam and Jack before following Daniel.
Jack shook his head. "Damn Space Monkey." He muttered before saluting Sam and stalking off in the direction of her lab.
Sam remained in the spot she was in and once the Colonel was gone, she walked over to Walter and set herself in one of the seats at the gate's controls.
"Major Carter, I didn't think I would see you 'til Monday."
"Never a wrong time to run a quick diagnostic, Walter."
"Yes, ma'am."
Of course, Sam had just managed to wrap her diagnostic up when the Colonel appeared, freshly showered and dressed in dark blue jeans, a white shirt and that black leather jacket he liked to wear so much.
"Carter?"
"Yep, going now, Sir." said Sam with a grin as she dodged past him to get to the showers.
Sam had entered the shower room to see Teal'c just tying up the laces on his shoes. He stood abruptly and indicated Sam's bag on the bench.
"I will take my leave now, Major Carter."
"Thank you, Teal'c." replied Sam softly, moving towards her bag.
Grabbing what she needed, Sam stepped into the shower and let out a moan as the hot water cascaded over her skin, washing away the dirt and grime of their previous mission. She showered quickly and as she left the warm confines of the shower, she was met with Daniel's voice on the other side of the closed door as he called in to her.
"I'm just getting dry. Tell the Colonel I'll be up in about ten minutes!"
"Alright!"
After drying herself and cursing her hair for turning fluffy, Sam quickly threw on a red top, black jeans and a black jacket. Digging in her bag, she found a light lip gloss and a blue eye pencil. She quickly did her make up and zipped up her bag.
With precisely one and a half minute spare, Sam made it to the parking lot, where Daniel, Jack and Teal'c were stood waiting next to Jack's truck.
"And here she is!" said Jack, opening the driver side door and climbing in.
The drive was spent mostly in silence, aside from Jack and Daniel bickering over the music station, much to Sam and Teal'c's amusement and before they knew it, they had arrived at O'Malley's in record time.
Upon stepping out of the car, Jack regarded Daniel and Sam with a stern look. "Remember, we're here to eat steak, drink beer and have a good time."
Daniel rolled his eyes. "We know, Jack!"
Jack held his hands up in defence. "All I'm saying is I don't want to see you starting fights with the other guys," Jack looked at Sam with a smirk, "And I don't want to see any pool hustles."
"But, Sir, that's half the fun!"
Jack shook his head with a defeated sigh and led the way up to O'Malley's entrance. The team were met by Celia, the waitress, who guided them to their usual seats with the promise that she would bring them their usual choice of drinks.
"Atmosphere's good tonight." commented Sam, casting a quick eye over the rest of the bar and restaurant before accepting the menu Daniel offered her.
"Yeah, well, the lack of snakeheads and constant risk of death helps." retorted Jack, flipping through the menu.
"Indeed." deadpanned Teal'c, making Daniel chuckle.
Celia, a very petite red head, returned to the table with a beer for both Daniel and Jack, a whiskey on the rocks for Teal'c and a diet soda with a wedge of lime for Sam. After depositing the drinks in front of the right people, Celia pulled her notepad out of her apron and a pencil out of her hair.
"Have you guys decided what you want yet?"
"Is there a special today, Celia?" asked Daniel, scanning his menu over the top of his glasses.
"Um, yeah. We have some lobster in today, with cajun seasoning and other various bits. It comes with some sweet potato fries if you fancy that?"
"I would like to place my order for that." said Teal'c, closing his menu and placing it back in the middle of the table.
Jack nodded. "I'mma have the rib eye, medium rare. Thanks, Celia."
Celia nodded and jotted down both Teal'c's and Jack's orders. She flickered her gaze back to Daniel. Once she saw how Daniel was still frowning at the menu, she chuckled and looked at Sam.
"The chicken parm looks good. I might have that, Celia."
"Nice choice, it's one of my favourites." smiled the waitress, writing Sam's order.
"Daniel, you made your mind up yet?" prompted Jack as Celia deflated upon seeing Daniel still flicking through the menu.
"Uh-"
"Daniel will have his usual, Celia, thank you."
Celia hesitated before writing the final order as Daniel nodded his agreement to Jack's choice. "Would you like your usual sharing platter while you wait? Your main meals will be ready in about thirty minutes."
"Sounds great." smiled Sam.
The redhead pocketed her notepad and moved towards the kitchen, leaving the team alone.
"I hate when you do that." muttered Daniel before lifting his beer bottle to his lips.
"Daniel, you do it every time!"
"Sorry, Daniel, the colonel's right," agreed Sam with an apologetic smile. "You always look through the menu and end up ordering the same thing you always have."
"I would most like to consume a good meal before the Goa'uld plan another invasion." added Teal'c, making both Jack and Sam roar with laughter. Even Daniel chuckled.
"Alright, I get it. But it's just so hard to pick sometimes," sighed Daniel. "There is too much choice and when you've lived elsewhere and sampled authentic local cooking, sometimes O'Malley's just doesn't compare."
"So you go for a bacon and cheese burger?" prompted Sam, laughter on her lips.
"I like bacon. They didn't have that on Abydos." grinned Daniel.
"Daniel, I have one of the nicest steaks in the country, nay, the world just half an hour away. Don't spoil it with your talk of goat hoof stew."
Teal'c raised a single eyebrow at Jack's words, making Sam grin widely.
"On the contrary, O'Neill. I found the stew on Abydos to be most replenishing and satisfying to my palate."
"Oh, Teal'c." said Jack, shaking his head and bringing his hand up to pinch the bridge of his nose.
"To be fair, it was better than our MREs, Sir." snickered Sam.
"Carter, anything is better than your take on an MRE." teased Jack, making both Teal'c and Daniel chuckle as Sam elbowed him. "Though, goat stew is not in my top ten dishes that I'd eat in a hurry." He added with an afterthought.
Daniel took his glasses off and wiped them, still chuckling. "Teal'c, what's the worst thing you've ever eaten on your… travels?" he asked, conscious of where they were.
The three humans of the team looked at Teal'c as he frowned in thought. "I was tasked to lead a mission many years ago, to show my dedication for becoming First Prime. We quickly took the town, finally taking the home of the people's leader. As we got there, there was a feast laid on the table. Some foods I have never seen before."
"What did you have?"
"I later found the dish to be called ha'ruk da'kash. It is a dish similar in appearance to a Tau'ri curry."
Sam smiled. "It didn't taste like curry?"
Teal'c shook his head solemnly. "That it did not. Had I been considered a God, like Apophis, I would have destroyed all traces of the dish from existence."
Jack and Daniel burst out in laughter, prompting a smile from Teal'c.
"Dare we ask what it tasted like?"
"The closest reference I can find to it, using the foods I have sampled since allying myself with the Tau'ri, is raw egg combined with sardines, onions and horseradish." Teal'c shook his head again. "Perhaps then you would understand a fraction of how distasteful I found it."
Jack shook his head, while Daniel laughed and Sam cupped her mouth. "Oh T, I feel bad for you."
Once the laughter settled down, Celia appeared with a shared starter platter. The team thanked her and tucked in. Thankfully, they didn't have to wait too long for their mains after that and half way through the meal, Sam stood.
"You alright, Carter?" asked Jack, chewing on a mouthful of steak.
"Yeah, just getting refills. You guys want one?"
After the men nodded in the affirmative, too busy eating to pull themselves away from their meals for too long, Sam chuckled as she grabbed her purse before making her way to the bar.
She reached the bar and leant against it, nodding as the bartender put up two fingers, signalling that he would be with her shortly. Sam peered at all of the different coasters tacked to the back of the bar, enjoying the bright colours and slogans, when she felt someone move to stand next to her. She turned to see a sandy haired man with green eyes, mimicking the way she was leaning against the bar and looking at her with a grin. Great.
"Now, what in the world is a beautiful woman like you doing in a bar like this?"
Sam sighed. "I'm trying to get a drink to go with my meal." she responded politely.
"Huh," He turned so he was turned towards her. "Name's Paul, what's yours?"
"Sam."
"You here alone, Sam?"
"No," Sam pointed to Daniel, Jack and Teal'c laughing at their table, "I'm with them."
Paul turned to look and nodded his head. "Friends of yours?"
Sam took a steadying breath, "Yeah, they're my colleagues too."
"Army, right?" asked Paul, his eyes still on the male members of the team. "You can always tell."
"Uh, no. Air Force."
Paul nodded. He quickly lost interest in the men and turned to look back at Sam. A glint in his eye. "So, no boyfriend? I mean, you can't date those guys, can you?"
Sam heard herself scoff, before she collected herself and shook her head. "I'm not sure that's any of your business."
Paul nudged her. "C'mon. A pretty thing like you shouldn't be hanging out with the lads, trying to be one of them. You should be out, being wined and dined by someone like me." He chuckled, revealing too sparkly teeth, "I could show you a good time, we wouldn't even need to stay for dessert."
Sam felt her stomach start to churn and she signalled the bartender again. "I don't think so."
Paul stood up straight and a frown appeared on his face. "Why not?"
"Because I'm out with my friends and I said no."
Paul scoffed before rolling his neck and shoulders. He replaced his look of disbelief with a smile he thought was charming, "You change your mind, I'll be over by the pool table." He reached forward and brushed Sam's cheek with his finger before moving away.
Sam remained still, mind spinning and eyes unfocused when she felt a tap on her arm. She started and looked at the source of the tapping.
"Hey, you okay? I called you twice." said the bartender, concern in his eyes.
"Sorry Nick, can I have my usual, please?"
"Sure thing." Said Nick, still eyeing Sam with concern. As he popped the caps off of the beers for Daniel and Jack, he looked over to Paul hovering around the pool table. "You know, he's in here a lot. Makes me feel uneasy, never mind the women."
Sam arched her eyebrows. "He is certainly an interesting character."
Nick deposited the drinks on a tray and slid it closer to Sam. "Hey, you say the word we can kick him out. I'm not having him upset my favourite Major."
Sam laughed and shook her head, rearranging the drinks on the tray to be more balanced. "I'm not out to ruin anyone's night, Nick. Now we've had words he'll hopefully do the smart thing and stay away." Sam grabbed the tray. "Can you put these on my tab?"
"Sure. Have a good evening, Sam."
Sam said her goodbyes and walked back over to the table, noting with satisfaction that the drinks hadn't spilled on her journey back. Score one for physics.
"Ah, thanks Sam." smiled Daniel appreciatively, taking his beer from the tray.
Sam nodded and slide back into her seat, next to Jack. She picked up her fork and began to eat her dinner, not paying attention to the debate Teal'c and Daniel were having about which Goa'uld System Lord would be best to present the weather on Earth.
"I mean, they're all undesirable characters, but you can't help but admit that Ba'al's got flare."
"Yu would be more appropriate. He is straight to the point."
Sam placed her fork down, suddenly finding her appetite gone. She picked up her soda and sipped it before placing it back down. She turned to look at Jack who was yet to continue eating his meal.
"You okay?"
"Hmm? Yeah, fine."
Jack frowned. "You sure? I noticed that guy at the bar, did he give you a hard time?" He voiced his question softly.
Sam shrugged. "Just the usual peacock behaviour, Sir. Nothing I can't handle."
"What did he say?"
Sam waved her hand and picked up her fork. "Just that I shouldn't be here playing at being one of the boys and I should be out with him."
"Really?" he asked lowly, anger and disbelief laced his tone. His question sounded as if it was dipped in venom.
Sam turned her head to look at Jack. His jaw was set and his eyes were glittering dangerously. Her stomach dropped and she placed a hand on his forearm. "I told him where to go. It's done."
In an unusual display of affection, Jack cupped the back of her neck, his thumb stroking the tuft of hair that was there. "That's my girl and you aren't playing at being one of the boys, Sam. You're one of us. Always have been, always will be." He dropped his hand and went back to his meal, tuning back in to the topic of conversation.
Sam smiled to herself, her appetite reappearing. Jack always knew what to say to make her feel better and she liked that he didn't get himself involved. She liked that he trusted in her to deal with it as she needed to.
She shook herself before tuning back in, just in time to hear, "No, Anubis would definitely be better. He comes with his own special effects."
oOoOoOoOo
"So, can I interest you guys in dessert?" asked Celia, after she had stacked the empty plates. "We have a special on apple pie and our pumpkin pie is doing really well at the moment."
Sam deflated. "I'm not sure I could go for dessert right now."
"We could get it to go?" suggested Daniel, eliciting a nod from Jack.
"I would like the Super Deluxe Choco-holic Supreme Sundae with berries on the side, please." requested Teal'c, making Daniel and Jack laugh.
"Oh, the pumpkin pie does sound good." commented Daniel. "Come on, Sam. How often do we get to go out like this?"
Sam shook her head with amusement. "I don't think I could eat a whole dessert, though the salted caramel sundae sounds good."
Jack shrugged. "That's what I was looking at. We can share, Carter."
"Sure, you win, okay." acquiesced Sam.
"I'll be sure to bring two spoons for that. I'll be back in a bit." smiled Celia. "I'll bring the bill too."
Sam bent down to pull out her purse. She pulled several bills out and put it into the middle before shouldering her bag. "I'll be back. Let me know if I need to put more in."
She made her way to the bathroom and once she had sorted herself out, she washed her hands, checked her reflection in the mirror and tried to calm her fluffy hair before she gave up trying to tame it.
She opened the door back to the main part of the restaurant and was about ten feet from her seat when she felt a hand enclose around the crook of her arm. Sam spun and was met with Paul regarding her with a simpering smile.
"Leaving so soon, Sam?"
Sam inwardly rolled her eyes and tried to loosen Paul's grip on her arm. "Yes, we finished our meal and we're going home."
"Don't you think you'd be better off coming home with me?" he asked, leaning in so his breath caressed the skin of her ear.
Sam flinched, the strong smell of alcohol coming off of him in waves. His grip had tightened, despite Sam trying to remove herself from him, without making a scene. She could quite easily escape his grip, but she wasn't sure she or the boys would be welcome back if she did.
"Let me go. I'm not going anywhere with you."
Paul's smile changed to a sneer, his features became sharper and his voice dropped an octave. "Why are the beautiful ones always so bitchy? I'd be doing you the favour here. Come on, come home with me."
"Sweetheart, we're going." sounded Jack's voice from across the restaurant.
Sam looked to see Jack standing there, his hand outstretched for her to grab it. She flickered her gaze to Daniel and Teal'c and felt a warm swell of appreciation towards them both as she registered the rage on both of their faces, though Daniel had a steady hand on Teal'c's shoulder to stop him from going over there to beat Sam's aggressor senseless.
Paul scoffed. "Trust me, you don't want to do that."
"No, I really do." said Sam acidly. She pulled her arm out of Paul's grip, making him spill his drink. She ignored his name calling as she moved towards Jack, a bubble appearing in her chest as he enclosed his hand around hers. He held it tight as he allowed Teal'c and Daniel to go first. He nodded at Nick and smirked as Nick signalled to the local sheriff who had watched the interaction with his hand on his set of handcuffs. Sam let Jack pull her out of the restaurant and towards his truck. He directed her to the front passenger seat and only when she was strapped in, he let go of her hand.
They drove back to Jack's in silence. Teal'c had commented that such a man would have been made an example of back on Chulak, but he quickly went silent when he saw Sam's face in the car's wing mirror.
They pulled up to Jack's and with a blink-and-you'll-miss-it look from Jack, both Teal'c and Daniel left the truck, taking their take-home desserts, bags and Sam's overnight bag in with them.
"You okay?"
Sam nodded, her gaze fixed on the plants outside the front of Jack's home. She wiped her eye. "I'm sorry, Sir."
"What on Earth should you be sorry for?" asked Jack incredulously. He kept his eyes on his 2iC, watching as she struggled to absorb the events of the evening. He reached out and grabbed her hand, returning the pressure she gave as she squeezed. "Carter… Sam, he's the asshole here. You didn't do anything wrong. You told him no and if he didn't respect that, that's on him."
"It spoiled team night." muttered Sam, so quietly Jack almost missed it.
"And now he's going to be sitting in a cell thinking out what he's done." replied Jack. He made a mental note to follow it up later and to maybe introduce the guy's face to his hockey stick. "Apart from that, team night couldn't have been more perfect. You were there. It's not team night without you."
Sam looked at him, unshed tears glistening in her eyes. "Really?"
"Yeah! How many times have I tried to pull you out to go with us?" Jack stopped, her earlier comments resurfacing. "Is this because of what he said? That you're playing at being one of the boys?"
Sam dipped her head and Jack shook his. "Sam, we are so lucky to have you on our team and I will always be grateful that you are. Hell, without you there wouldn't be a team! Look, don't let some jumped up, self-entitled jerk off, who obviously wasn't told 'no' as a child make you feel any less about yourself. We all know what you're worth, you just need to remember that. Okay?"
Sam nodded and despite the angle, Jack muttered a "come 'ere" and pulled her into a hug. After a minute, Sam pulled away and wiped her eyes.
"Now, if you don't mind, I have a probably very melted salted caramel sundae that I need to make an appointment with. I would like it if you would join me."
Sam chuckled. "Yes, Sir."
It was when Jack moved to get out of his truck that he noticed he was yet to let Sam's hand go.