Sg-1 and Steven are geared up and ready to go through the gate. General Hammond would have let Jack pick any number of planets for the mission but thought against it, remembering the climate and conditions on a few of the planets they had designated for training. Instead, they were going to PX-435. The planet had a small colony of people right outside the gate. The people were kind and generous. They sent supplies on a regular basis, in turn, to use the planet for training purposes.
The group went through the gate, and a few villagers greeted them with open arms.
"Most locals aren't this friendly." Jack had stated.
Daniel explained to the group why they were there, and villagers had welcomed Steven to the village. They walked around the area and on a well-worn trail to a lake about 3 miles out of town.
"So what do you think?" Sam asks.
"That it takes me longer to get from the base to my house than it does to get to another planet, millions, possibly billions of miles away from earth," Steven claimed.
Sam smiled at him and looked over the lake. She had been to this planet a few times, the darker atmosphere made the sky more purple than blue, but that was the only sign you could tell that it wasn't earth.
Jack had looked around the place, wishing that his pond was about this big.
Teal'c and Daniel had been discussing the people and culture of the planet.
The lake had several trails and paths leading up to it, and Sam spotted a young couple along the shore on the opposite side. She couldn't hear them, but the boy was making her giggle. The girl nodded her head and started pulling off her shirt as Sam looked away.
"We should give them some space," Sam stated.
None of the guys had seen the young couple until a loud splash happened. The young couple was playing in the water clothing left on dry land.
"I'd much rather be doing that," Jack claimed.
Sam smiled at the Colonel, and she couldn't help but agree. It was winter back home, and although the snow could be nice, she preferred the warmth.
The group meandered back as Jack Sam Teal'c and Daniel started giving all kinds of scenarios to Steven and what to do in case something happened. They make it back to the village, where they insist the team sit and eat with them. Daniel agrees, and they have a long meal with the people enjoying their time.
"We're scheduled to be back any minute," Jack warns as Daniel is still is holding a conversation with the locals.
Daniel wraps it up and takes a note of supplies they would like to have.
They reach the gate and allow Steven to dial out.
They get back to the SGC. Daniel hands his note off. They've still required a check-up, a blood draw, and debriefing.
2 hours later, Sam is back at her lab, Daniel in his. Teal'c is helping SG-7 in the weight room, and Jack is with General Hammond discussing the upcoming rotation.
It leaves Steven to mill around. He hadn't been officially introduced to SG-3. That would happen tomorrow, but Daniel and Sam were quick to point out his new team. Steven wasn't leading SG-3. He was just a replacement, so he wasn't given any files. Jack had surprisingly filled him in more than he thought he would. Steven realized that Jack was a little wary of him, but he wasn't sure why. Teal'c and Daniel seemed to take quickly to the man and had made him feel welcome. Jack, on the other hand, had been gruff with him since they met.
He had heard wonderful things about Colonel O'Neill by everyone, but he wondered if they just said it because they felt they had to.
It was Friday, and as he had gathered, SG-1 was off for the weekend. He had noticed through it seemed neither Sam nor Daniel took much of a break. They were at the base early and worked into the night. Finally, someone had clued him in to the fact they regularly stayed on base despite having their own places.
It was around 5:30 pm when Steven checked Sam's lab.
"I must say this is the busiest first week I've ever had," Steven claimed.
"It's only beginning," Sam claimed
"I gathered that, so while I still have the time, care for a drink and a proper catch-up?"
"Yeah, let me call dad, and let him know, he stays at my place when he's in town," Sam claimed.
Steven nodded. He was truly impressed by Jacob Carter's story. Daniel had tried to explain the best he could but told Steven he would have to be there to see it. Steven was starting to realize how true that really was around here.
Sam had Steven follow her to a little bar and grill named Tim's. She never shared it with the other members of her group, and this was a place for her to be alone. She didn't mind showing the place to Steven.
Steven ordered a Whiskey Sour, and Sam had, for old times sake, ordered a scotch.
"Is that because of me, or is it still your go-to?" Steven asked.
Sam looked at him, "Old times sake more than anything, I'm not sure when beer became my alcohol of choice."
Steven nodded.
"So your coworkers, I can tell they care for you, and you care for them," Steven said.
"We're really close, and you have to be. When you officially meet your team Monday don't be too upset if they don't take to you. The guy you're replacing was one hell of a guy," Sam claimed.
Steven simply nodded.
"So, 10 years, Sam, you can't tell me you've been here for all of it," Steven said.
"Not quite. I was in Washington, regarding, what I do here now, I um, got everything working, I was denied to come out here a few times actually, but I've been here 5 years now," Sam claimed.
"What about you after your tour?" Sam asked.
"I was sent home a month and back on another tour, one of the last groups out. I came back and was asked to test flights, did some top secret scouting missions. Then you know the rest." Steven claimed.
Sam nodded.
"You asked me earlier, no special guys, no kids?" Steven asks.
"No, I um, was always working, I've had a few relationships, nothing lasting," Sam admits.
"Me too, hard to explain you can't explain where you'll be, how long you'll be there, or when you'll come back," Steven said.
"It's hard for someone who's not doing it to comprehend," Sam stated.
The two continue to talk, getting their drinks refilled as they run dry. Sam giggles and can tell she's had a bit too much and orders water. Steven switches over as well.
"So, we're getting older. Do you think this is where you're going to stay?" Steven asks.
"There are only a few places I would consider going to, and it would have to be a hell of an offer. I am pretty much guaranteed a spot here as long as I want it." Sam claims.
"Can I ask you a question?" Steven asks.
Sam knows it's something that she might take the wrong way when he asks, so she nods and braces for the words about to come out of his mouth.
"Did I do something to offend Colonel O'Neill?" Steven asks.
Sam smiles.
"No, it's his way of testing you. He's been through a lot. He doesn't find it easy to trust new people, and he has good reasons. He'll grow on you, calm down, especially if he can see you in action read a few of your mission reports." Sam claimed.
"I kind of thought that too but it seems more personal," Steven claims.
Sam shrugged her shoulders, not knowing what to say.
It was 11:30 pm, and Sam came through the door and jumped slightly when her dad was in her kitchen eating a grilled cheese and reading a newspaper.
"How did your date with Steven go?" Jacob asks.
"It wasn't a date, dad," Sam stated.
"Could have fooled me you've been gone for what 5 hours," Jacob said.
"10 years, takes some time to catch up on," Sam claimed.
"Not saying it doesn't, but how do you feel about him?" Jacob asks.
"Dad, I don't know. He's been here a week. Today was the first time I really got to have a conversation with him," Sam claims.
"So there's a chance?" Jacob asks.
Sam just looks at her dad.
"Listen, Sam, 10 years is a long time, but it's less to me than it is to you and Selmac. Well, that's just a drop in the bucket. I remember the letters the rare calls home. I thought one day maybe you're going to tell me he was coming home to meet me." Jacob said.
"Come on, Dad, I was 20 something. I had no clue what I was doing," Sam claimed.
"Your mother was 22, and I was 24 when we were married. I figured you'd follow suit," Jacob explained.
Sam looked at her dad once again.
"Sam, I know you were always more mature, intelligent, smart for your age, but I remember when you about 6 years old, and you told me one day you wanted to be a mom and have 4 kids. I know it was just a little kid's dream, but I can't help but think I ruined that dream for you," Jacob said.
"Dad, come on, me not having kids has nothing to do with you," Sam claims.
"Doesn't it, I mean, your mother died, and I just left you and Mark. I'm sure you had to think that you wouldn't want to do that if you had kids," Jacob claims.
Sam shut her eyes, suddenly thinking she was too sober to be having this conversation after having a similar conversation with Steven earlier in the night.
"When I was younger, I was mad, hurt even. Now, I can understand why you did what you did. I just couldn't see it then. I guess part of that has to do with the lack of children, but I haven't found the right guy. After Steven, I was sent to Washington, and then Jonas happened, then I was at the SGC, it's not like I've had time," Sam claimed.
"I know, just remember we never have the time we think we do," Jacob claimed.
Sam nodded, knowing her dad meant well by conversation.
"I'm going to bed, dad. What do you want to do tomorrow?" Sam asked.
"Well, apparently, I'm invited to Richard Freeman's home. I haven't seen him for quite a while. Some old friends are meeting up, but I won't keep you up waiting, though," Jacob claimed.
"Goodnight, Dad," Sam claimed, and she walked into her bedroom, thinking about her dad's words.