Chapter 4
Hi… I'm sorry I haven't updated in a long time, I'm not going to make excuses.
I leave you the fourth chapter of this story.
I'm still working on my beta, so all mistakes are mine.
Enjoy it.
Grace O'Neill was frustrated, it had been three days since she had started her crazy plan together with Janet and Daniel to reunite her parents, but they only deliberately avoided each other.
Time was running out and literally her life with it.
Determined to make a drastic decision, she made her way to her mother's laboratory.
She suddenly began to feel dizzy and with the cloudy vision of her, she lost her balance, and fell lying on the ground unconscious.
Sergeant Siler who saw of her, rushed up to her, took her pulse, which was erratic and almost imperceptible.
took the phone that was on the wall a few meters away and requested an urgent medical unit.
The young woman was taken to the infirmary, they hooked her up to the monitors, and what Janet saw, she was shocked. She immediately sent for the General and Sam.
A knock on the door brought Jack out of the mission report he was reviewing.
J: Yes… Come in.
Airman: Sir… I'm sorry to bother you, but his presence is required in the infirmary.
J: The infirmary? Do you know the reason soldier?
A: The young woman who arrived a few days ago sir.
Jack got up from his chair as if pulled by a spring.
J: Is she okay?
A: I don't know sir.
J: Thank you soldier.
Immediately the boy left, and Jack picked up the phone.
J: Daniel?
D: Jack! (on the other side of the line)
J: See you in the infirmary, go now please.
D: What's up Jack?
J: It's Grace ...
And with that he hung up the phone, and took off for the infirmary.
Meanwhile Janet called Sam's lab.
JA: Sam?
S: Hi Janet (on the other end of the line)
JA: Sam… I need you to come to the infirmary, immediately.
S: What is it?
JA: It's Grace ... this ...
S: What !?
J: She is in critical condition. I need you to come.
The first to arrive was Sam, he immediately approached the girl's bed.
He looked at her, took her hand, and caressed her pale face.
Then Jack stepped into the room and stopped short, staring at the image before him.
Sam was holding Grace's hand and stroking her face, and he could see the sadness on her face and feel it in her heart.
Then he approached them slowly, and placed her hand on Sam's shoulder, who immediately turned to see the person next to her.
S: Sir !
J: Carter ... what's wrong with him? (he said pointing to the unconscious girl)
S: I don't know… I haven't talked to Janet yet. (she said with threatening tears in her eyes)
J: relax, she will be fine. (He said returning to support her hand on her shoulder in a comforting way)
S: she is not… she is disappearing, she only has two days left. How can this be possible?
Jack just listened to her, not knowing what to answer, but wishing he could hug this woman he secretly loved and tell her that everything would be fine, that no matter what happened, he would always be there for her.
At that moment Janet cleared her throat to get the attention of the two people by the bed.
S: Janet… how is Grace? What happens to her?
JA: It's the first time I've seen a condition like this, her organs are failing as if she had a disease that completely invaded her. The most reasonable explanation is that her system is collapsing due to time-space continuity.
S: is she dying?
JA: I'm afraid so... Given the allotted time, we expected this to inevitably happen.
J: is there anything that can be done for she doc?
JA: I'm afraid not General. only what she says should happen.
J: That is out of the question. (he said putting her hands in her pocket and lowering head for a moment)
Sam, who did not respond to the comment , only said.
S: When will she to wake up?
JA: We have managed to stabilize her pulse and her pressure, I administered some tranquilizers so that her body can rest effortlessly, I estimate that in a couple of hours she will be awake.
S: May I stay here?
JA: Of course, it will be good for her if she sees you here when she wakes up.
S: With her permission, her lord, of course.
J: Sure Carter, you don't need to ask.
JA: Well then I'll leave you guys, I'll be in my office in case you need anything.
S: Thank you Janet.
JA: A nurse will stop by every 20 minutes to check her signs.
J: Thanks doc.
The doctor retired to her office leaving them alone again looking at the unconscious young woman who was lying on the bed in the infirmary.
After a moment, she O'Neill put her hand back on Sam's shoulder, who had returned to her position on the chair next to the bed. She gave him a light squeeze, to which she responded by resting her hand on his.
S: Thank you for being here sir.
J: Always Carter… always.
They stayed in that position for at least ten minutes, in silence, until Sam's cell phone started to crackle in her pocket.
Jack pulled his hand away from him immediately, while the woman her side was looking at the caller ID.
He got up from his seat, and apologized to the General.
S: Sorry, I must take this call.
J: Sure… hey! I'll be in my office, call if you need me, or if anything happens.
S: Sure sir… thank you.
Jack got up from the seat that he occupied next to Sam, and before leaving, he turned tosee them , how could it be that these two women got so deep in his heart in a short time?
love one her of them since she entered the conference room eight years ago, and the other for only a couple of days that he knew of her existence, and that undoubtedly shared everything with his father, and a special connection, which he could can not explain
plunged hi thoughts and with her hands in his pockets, headed to his office.
Sam gave a sigh of annoyance, knowing this moment would inevitably come.
With the phone still in his hand, he glanced at Grace before taking the call.
S: Hello ...
Q: Hi honey, I've been trying to contact you.
S: I know Pete, I've been busy here.
Q: But you've been there for three days, when you're coming home.
S: As soon as I can Pete. (He said holding in a breath of annoyance)
Q: Honey, what do you think if today I wait for you with a romantic dinner, with candles, wine and ...
S: Pete, sorry I won't be going home today, there are business to attend to here.
P: Sam… I have left a lot to be here, I think that what I ask is not too much, just that you come home every night.
S: I'm sorry… I'm not going home for at least a few days, I have something very important to attend to here.
Q: But Sam ...
S: Sorry Pete, I have to hang up. Goodbye.
Sam cut off the call, and she stared at the phone for a few moments, but a voice behind her made her jump.
G: I feel like you can't go home because of me. (said the young woman, entangling her fingers in the edge of the sheet that covered her)
S: (rushing to her side) No, Grace, don't say that, I want to be here, I want to spend as much time as I can with you.
G: But you have your life, and I… I only have two days left.
S: We will find a solution, you will see.
G: We both know that there is only one possibility to keep me here.
Sam was about to respond when he heard Janet's voice.
JA: Grace, I'm glad to see that you're awake. (approaching) How do you feel?
G: A little tired but fine.
JA: Do you remember what happened to you?
G: I know, I was going to ma… Sam's lab, and suddenly everything started spinning, and… I don't remember anything else.
JA: Okay, I'm going to discharge you from the infirmary, but I want you to stay close, if you can be accompanied by someone.
S: Don't worry Janet, I'll be with her.
JA: Well... young lady, I want you to behave, and if you feel the slightest change I want you to let me know immediately.
G: Of course.
A voice came from the door and the three of them turned.
J: Nobody invited me to the party. (he said with feigned pain)
S: I'm sorry General ... Janet just let her go , I was going to to let you know when ...
J: (interrupting her) Don't worry Carter, just stop by to see the patient.
G: I'm fine, it was just a scare. (she said looking at him with that special sparkle in his big blue eyes)
JA: I would say it was more than a scare, I don't want it to happen again.
G: I promise.
JA: Well, I'll leave you, I'll be in my office.
Janet withdrew and left the three of them alone.
S: We'll let you get dressed, and we'll meet outside.
G: Sure.
Jack and Sam left the infirmary and waited in the hallway, the silence was awkward at first, but he was the one who spoke first.
J: Well? … What did Fraiser say?
S: She is fine for now. But … only has 48 hours. Maybe less, and there's nothing she can do. (under her head, and try to hide the tears that threatened to come out of as best could)
J: (approaching her and surrounding her with her arms) Come here.
They both felt as if that was the right place where they fit in perfectly with each other ,time stood still , and everything around them disappeared .
Suddenly her bubble exploded bringing with it the playful voice of a young girl, they snapped loose and stuttered. The girl spoke to them with a remarkable smile on her face.
G: Did anyone mention Jelly and cake ?!
J: Jelly with cake? What a strange combination.
G: I am the perfect combination of both, remember? (she said amused)
Sam and Jack just looked at each other for a moment.
Half an hour later the three of them were in Carter's lab finishing lunch.
Jack had proposed of them to have lunch together out of sight of the curious.
Sam without a second hesitation told him to bring lunch to his lab.
All three laughed animatedly, Grace told them anecdotes from when she was little, only what she was allowed to tell.
Then a voice from the door took them out of that magical moment.
Airman: Colonel Carter, sorry to bother you, but they're looking for you
Q: Hi sweetie (poking her head out the door)
Both O'Neill and Grace looked at the door.
S: Pete… what are you doing here? (she said nervous and looking at the General)
Q: I came to bring you lunch, (entering the room) since you are not going home for dinner tonight, I thought I could bring you lunch and let's spend a moment together… but I see that you already had lunch.
S: Emm ... (unable to articulate words)
Jack got up from his seat, and indicated to the aviator who was still in the corridor that he could go.
Then he turned to Sam and Grace.
J: Carter… we'll keep talking about it later. (approaching the young woman) and you young lady, I want you let me know immediately if something happens.
G: Sure ...
J: Okay, I'll be in my office. (looking Sam right in the eye, then looked at Pete) Shanahan is always a pleasure.
Q: O'Neill ...
And with that he withdrew.
On the other hand, Sam who was able to regain the ability to speak addressed Pete with obvious anger.
S: Pete, you can't show up, just like that, I have work to do.
Q: It didn't look like you were working.
S: It's lunchtime, and I don't have to explain my work to you.
Q: Is having lunch with General O'Neill part of your job? (increasing the tone of voice)
S: Don't be disrespectful, you're out of place. (also raising his voice)
Q: What do you want me to think? You haven't shown up in three days, you haven't called, I'm worried about you Sam.
S: And that justifies you to appear here like this?
With growing anger, Pete turned to see the young woman still sitting, watching the scene, but not omitting any opinion.
Q: Excuse me, could you leave us alone? It's something personal.
Sam immediately objected.
S: No ! Grace… you don't have to go. (looking at Pete again) You're the one leaving, we're done.
Q: What do you mean we're done? (approaching and taking Sam's arm furiously)
G: Hey you ! Leave her! Don't you dare touch a single hair of hers (he said with fury in her eyes)
Immediately Sam looked at the girl, and saw the fire in her eyes, it was the same look of her father when he wanted to kill someone.
S: Grace ...
Q: (releasing Carter's arm and turning in his direction) Who do you think you are? This is personal, I'm talking to my fiancee.
G: I'm Grace O'Neill… (she said with determination and seriousness, indicating to Pete that he could face he if he wanted to). And you're never going to talk to my mother that way, let alone touch her again.
Q: Your mother? What is this? A bad joke? And what about O'Neill? (looking at Sam again) Explain.
S: Grace honey… go… I'll be fine, I have to fix this.
G: Mom ...
S: I'll be fine ... (giving him a calm look)
G: Ok… I'll be at Dad's office. (looking at Pete with hatred) And you ... idiot ... I hope I won't see you here when I get back.
The young woman turned around and looked at Sam indicating that she would be near her if he needed her.
To which the woman nodded.
Once alone Pete sat on one of the stools by the work table and said.
Q: I want an explanation of this.
S: Grace is from the future, I'll just that.
Q: From a future where your CO is her father and you are her mother?
S: Something like that.
Q:That's why you're you strange. When will this happen? Are you going to cheat on me with your dear General or are you already doing it while you're here? (she said to him in a derogatory and mocking tone)
To which Sam responded by slapping him.
S: Don't you´r disrespect me like that, and neither the General.
Q: Now I can understand some things about you, your endless hours here, the unforeseen missions ...
S: I won't allow you this anymore, it's over!
P: You don't decide that Sam. (he said getting dangerously close to her) you don't break up with me... or you´ll be sorry
Then a deep voice was heard from the doorframe.
J: I think Colonel Carter said "IT'S OVER" ...
Q: Ho… but who do we have here? !, the protector Jack O'Neill. (she said with a mocking smile)
S: Pete ... go now, or I'll have you taken out by force.
Q: Are you really choosing him? (she said pointing at Jack)
S: No ... (looking for a moment at Jack, who also looked at her with her deep brown eyes) I choose to have peace of mind in my life and take care of my work.
P: Good ! (he said angrily)
S: I'll give you back the ring, (taking the box from the first drawer of his desk where he kept it while he was working) please give me the keys to my house.
Q: This won't stay like this Sam. (she said threateningly)
Throwing the keys on the floor, she left the lab, attempting insults in a low voice.
Sam was silent for a moment, until he heard the general's footsteps approaching, and immediately looked up and met his gaze.
That look that told him everything that he could not pronounce in words.
J: Are you okay Carter?
S: Yes ... sir ... sorry, I didn't know he would appear here.
J: Don't worry. (thought her words) I… sorry for interfering… Grace appeared in my office distraught.
S: I know ... I appreciate it sir.
J: So… you broke your engagement…
S: Yes ...
J: Well ...
S: (seeing where the conversation was leading) Sir… I'm sorry, but if you'll excuse me, I have work to do.
J: (getting the hint) sorry Carter. Whatever you need, you know where to find me.
S: Thanks again… sir.
Jack, who was already leaving, met Grace in the corridor.
J: Grace ... if something happens you know what to do.
G: Yes ... I know...
Sam turned to see the exchange between O'Neill and the young woman, and a slight smile spread across his face.
Jack left, and Grace entered the lab, taking her old place again.
G: Are you okay? (approaching Sam)
S: Yes ... I don't know what happens to Pete ...
G: I won't try to help you justify it, I'm just going to tell you that he has no right to appear like this and even less here, and tell those mean things
S: I always knew that the General was not tolerated, but I did not believe that he was implying such a thing.
G: Sam ... I know well that your integrity was never at stake, never in anything. No one dared to talk about the relationship you had with dad before they got married. You always put everything in perspective, and you never did anything to affect your performance or Dad's.
There is a why... an explanation... and an exception... , you just have to find it.
I know my mother is very capable and intelligent.
She stood up, and headed for the exit. But when she got to the door she stopped.
G: I'm going to the dining room for cake, sure dad will want a slice… I love you mom.
S: Thank you little ...
Sam was left alone in silence with her thoughts. She had broken her engagement to Pete and her daughter from future gave her something to think about.
Apparently his future self, she had found with Jack, how to fix the dilemma of fraternization rules ...
Now the question was if she wanted to look for them too ...
continue ...