Secrets, lies, and the truth"
Plot: Jack and Sam are finally together and meeting Sam's family. Drama unfolds as secrets are revealed, lies are found out, and the truth is told.
Setting: Around season 4, not canon, just messed with the timeline a bit
Characters: Mostly centered around Jack, Sam, Mark, and Veronica (Onica/Ronnie at times...that will make more sense later), but others will make appearances
Disclaimer: Not my characters just taking them on a ride. Also not canon with the show. All mistakes are mine, and mine alone
Rated: T for subject matter only, please note there will be no curse words or graphic descriptions at all in this story
Author's note: This is my first time trying anything serious, I'm not good at writing descriptions. I'm well aware of that so please be nice with any reviews, thanks! Also I don't think Mark's wife's name was ever mentioned in the show and we know nothing about her and her past so I made it all up. I hope y'all enjoy!
Chapter 1: Preparation overboard
"Stop fussing, everything is going to be fine," Jack says as Sam is busying herself with all the small details of preparing the house for her brother's arrival. Trying to get everything just right.
She gives him a look and says, "You don't know my brother."
Jack walks over to her and puts his hands on her shoulders, "Maybe not, but, I don't think he's going to care what color the table cloth is," then he adds, "besides, they aren't even staying here." He says gesturing around the room.
"I know, I know, it's silly." Sam says shaking her head.
Sam had spent every free minute she had last week over at her house getting things just right. Washing sheets, dusting, making sure the dishes were clean, she even stocked the refrigerator. Now she's spending every free minute rearranging Jack's living room, and constantly changing the table cloth trying to get just the right color. She must have bought 20 of them Jack figures, all different shades and patterns, and not satisfied with any of them. He's still not sure what was wrong with the plain white one he had on the table in the first place, or why Sam decided to focus so much on what color it is. He put his foot down when she came over with paint, insisting that the whole house needed to be done before her brother came. Jack was fine with her redecorating, and it's not that he minded repainting, what he minded was that she was in a frenzy about it all. Her brother was only going to be here for the weekend, and only in Jack's house for dinner one night, otherwise they were staying in Sam's house. Most of their plans were to go out and do things, and hopefully bond.
Still holding her shoulders, Jack says, "I know you want things to go well, and for your relationship with your brother to improve, but you're going a little overboard don't you think?"
"Yeah, I guess you're right." Sam says with a sigh, "It's just, things with Mark have been so tense since our mom died, and even more so since I joined the Air Force. Only in the last couple of years have things started to get better, not great, but better. Then he wanted to set me up with his friend in Denver, he was so excited about the idea, and I said no and…..," she shakes her head before finishing somberly, "you know the rest."
Jack nods his head and says slowly, "Yeah, I know, but things are going to be okay."
"Yeah, Mark is either going to get over it or you're going to start reconsidering if all this drama is worth it and leave." Sam says half joking, but inwardly scared that that's exactly what will happen.
Jack pulls her into a hug and gently says, "I'm not going anywhere Sam." Then he dips his head and softly kisses her lips. After pulling away he looks her in the eyes and adds, "Besides, ALL of my ex in-laws hated me, so I think I can handle your brother."
Sam smiles up at him and says, "Thank you for being so patient."
"You're welcome." he says, then jokes, " Besides, your brother really will like me once he gets to know me," Jack says, mocking her statement from when he first met her.
She smiles remembering back to the moment when she said almost those exact same words to Jack 4 years ago. "I hope you're right."
"I am. Though I have to say, you were wrong when you said that to me."
Sam looks at him confused and says, "Umm, Jack, we've been dating for several months now, I think it's pretty safe to say that you did like me once you got to know me."
"Nope," he says shaking his head "I loved you once I got to know you, I just couldn't say that back then."
The implication of what he just said makes Sam's stomach fill with butterflies. Did he really mean that he's loved her for that long? She knew he was attracted to her and maybe even had a crush, but she hadn't realized that he was actually in love with her for that long.
She looks at him with glistening eyes and says, "That's the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me."
Jack looks at her and feigns nonchalance. "Yeah, well, don't tell anyone. I have a reputation to maintain, you know."
She laughs, "Right."
Jack looks hurt, and asks, "What's so funny?"
Still giggling, Sam says, "Oh nothing, it's just, do you really think you have a tough guy reputation?"
"I don't?" Jack asks, sounding shocked.
"I'm not sure how to say this, but no. Everyone knows the tough guy routine is just an act." She says, playfully slapping his shoulder.
"Well, guess I'll have to work on that." Jack says exasperatedly, as Sam just laughs.
She looks at her watch and says, "Oh, I need to get moving if I'm going to get to the airport on time."
Jack nods and says, "Ok, my keys are over there."
"Got 'em, thanks," Sam says as she walks to the door. They had decided earlier that it would be best for her to take his truck to pick up her brother and his family from the airport. It's much bigger than her car, plus all the luggage can go in the bed. Since they started dating, Sam spent most of her time at Jack's house, however, they decided that while Mark and his family were in town, Sam would stay at her house with them.
"I'll call you once I get to my house." she says over her shoulder.
"Alright, and remember, don't be nervous, it's going to be alright." Jack says as he leans forward and kisses her goodbye before adding, "I love you."
She returns his kiss and smiles, and as she turns to go says "I love you too, see you soon."
