New Threads
Missing scenes for "Threads"
I can't find an end to this story. It keeps writing itself. So here the promise for yet another chapter. They are going fishing after all, and Jack is not yet Head of Homeworld Security. Hope you enjoy this chapter—the reward for the suffering through the other chapters and their rollercoaster of a relationship. Oh, and Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone.
"So, what did I miss?"
Daniel is buttoning his BDU jacket—green just like the rest of SG-1, which is fully accounted for in the infirmary where Dr. Lam just checked the reappeared Daniel while he told them about how Oma defeated Anubis.
By the way Jack inhales, Sam knows he's getting ready to blubber some joke, but before he can do so an airman comes in and says, "Colonel Carter, your brother, and his family have been picked up from the airport and are on their way to your house."
Daniel's eyes pop wide, and he ushers, "Oh god, Sam, is it your wedding already?"
A hot redness spreads on Sam's face in embarrassment about the memory that she almost went through with this charade.
"Uh, no. Ahm, actually..." She laughs nervously and can't stop her eyes from jumping over to Jack, who looks perfectly neutral. "It's canceled."
"Cancelled? Why? What happened?"
This is not a conversation Sam wants to have in the infirmary. She could obviously stick to the official version she's been telling family and friends. Her realizing that she would never be able to share a life with Pete in a way he wishes and deserves, but then it's Daniel, and he's going to see right past the kernel of truth in this story and understand the real reason. She could also tell him that her father had just died and save the longer conversation for some later point, but somehow she feels that's not fair to Jack. So Sam decides half-honesty has to be enough for now.
"My dad died. Three days ago. Selmak was sick, and fighting the replicators had cost her too much energy to leave my dad before it was too late. When I spent his last hours with him, I realized that I couldn't marry Pete." Sam pins her eyes to Daniel's to avoid looking at Jack. But then again, it's Daniel, and he looks from her right to Jack, where he must see a confirmation to the theory his brain has spun. But because there are other more important things he lets it go—only, for now, Sam is sure—and looks at Sam with all the pain she's feeling in her chest.
"Oh, god, Sam. I'm so sorry," Daniel says. He wraps his arms around her and mumbles into her shoulder, "I'm so sorry I wasn't there."
"It's okay, really," Sam answers with a forgiving smile and steps out of Daniel's arms. "The General was there for me." She finally allows her Jack-hungry eyes to dart to their object of desire. Jack smiles softly before his I'm-the-man-face slips back on.
"And now you should get out of here and meet your brother. Oh, and Daniel, you might want to find a place to stay tonight. We gave your apartment to Cassie…," Jack says, claps Daniel onto his shoulder, and with a last look to Sam leaves the infirmary.
"That's what you do when I disappear? You rent out my place?" Daniel quips and hooks his arm under Sam's. "Want me to come to meet your brother?"
The last few days have been a continuous drop—with two very essential ups that made Sam not get lost in the aching gap left behind by her father. One being Daniel's return and the other one Jack. The sight of the two men goofing around with her niece and nephew lift Sam another inch out of her sadness. Her father died a happy man, and to everyone's surprise, left a functioning family.
Karen laughs about something Jack O'Neill says, then looks over to Sam with a knowing smirk. Just like almost two years ago, she grabs two glasses of wine and walks over to Sam, who is sitting on a secluded bench in the General's backyard. They are holding the wake here. His house fits more people. Crucial, especially after more Tok'Ra and some Jaffa had announced their attendance and the wish to be part of the earthly ceremony. They blended in easily at the military funeral. Looking just like any other stiff Colonel or General. Here, in Jack's backyard, they seem a bit out of place. Even though or maybe because Anise blatantly flirts with cousin Craig and some Jaffa almost mistook Chip, Cassie's dog, as a sacrifice to the dead. Weird, intergalactic life-style.
"He's cute," Karen says, and Sam nearly chokes on her wine.
"It's not what you're thinking," Sam says when the wine is out of the wrong pipe.
Karen tilts her head and raises her eyebrows, and suddenly, she seems like one of the Jaffa.
"He was the reason you started dating Pete. So I'm pretty sure he's also the reason why you're not marrying Pete."
Sam sighs and then has to laugh.
"What?" Karen asks, amused.
"I guess I never thought of him as cute," Sam says and pinches her eyes. When she looks over to the cute General Karen is talking about, he's flinging Maggie into the air.
"But yeah, you are right."
Karen seems satisfied. "So, it's a thing now?"
Sam looks around, making sure no AirForce personnel or actually no one can overhear their conversation. "I think it is."
Sam can't keep her eyes from Jack, who is now talking to Marc. Years of being in the field together are undeniable when his eyes jump to her. He always caught her looking at him just never reacted to it like today because if Sam is not totally mistaken, he just winked at her. Dear god. When have they turned into love-blind fools?
"He and Jacob got along well, huh?"
Where Karen is taken this assumption from, Sam doesn't know, but she's right.
"Yeah, they both love dad jokes."
Sam laughs by the memory of some of their banters, and suddenly, tears mix in with that smile. Karen pulls her in a tight hug. From over the shoulder, Sam sees Jack's body tense and how his attention is almost exclusively on her now, but he stays where he is, watching with a caring eye.
"I'm gonna miss him so much," Sam admits. For the first time, she feels she can just let go. It's that magic of Karen. Karen makes Sam talk about her feelings for Jack O'Neill and now break into tears, even though Sam thought she had shed them all in the days before.
"I know, honey. But I think your dad would be happy to know that you're not alone."
Again Karen hits it right on the head.
You can still have everything you want.
He knew all along. He had been there for some of their worst moments when it felt impossible to keep it together. He must have known.
Now Sam regrets that she pushed her father's worries aside so carelessly. She wishes he would know she is at least trying to go for what might make her really happy. So she promises herself not to get scared again.
Sam blinks away her tears, and when she can see clearly, Jack is moving towards them. Besides the night at his house and the one kiss—only its memory sends tingles through her body to tippi toes and fingertips, they haven't had a chance to talk or kiss or anything. And still, she knows that nothing has changed. Or better said: everything has changed for the better.
"Carter," Jack says with one of his warm looks and then turns to Karen. "Am I interrupting?"
"Not at all," Karen says and gets up. She places a hand on his chest, and Sam is in aw about how other women can do things like that without feeling court-martial breathing down their necks. Karen leans in a bit and says casually, "I won't tell anyone if you call her Sam."
A speechless Jack O'Neill is a rare sight, so Sam takes it in as long as it lasts. When he turns back to Sam, his face is schooled. He drops down next to her, appropriate distance and all, just a coy, "So, Sam," coming from him. "Your brother told me you're sleeping on base tonight because they are occupying your house?"
"Uh, yeah, I was planning to."
"You know, you could stay here," Jack says and then adds quickly, "I have a guest room."
"You think that's a good idea, with all the brass around?" She wants this to be easy after all the years it was not. Truth is, it's still against the rules until her transfer is through in two weeks.
"This is just going to make me look even dumber next to you," Jack quips.
Sam furrows her brow. "What do you mean?"
"You know," he drags out. "Love makes stupid an all." A playful smile pops on his lips, and he gets up to chat with General Hammond, who is suddenly next to them as if the Asgrads just beamed him there.
And blind too, Sam thinks.
Ironically something is calming about alarms going off in Cheyenne Mountain. Just a reminder that Earth is still turning, aliens still attack, and there is still work to do. Especially on a day like this—her last day at the SGC. What better sendoff than a final fire drill. She shouldn't be smiling really but can't help a girl with a serious need for adventure. Sure, there will be another kind of thrill when the Felgers and McKays of Area 51 present their newest developments.
As Sam turns the corner to the gate room, she almost runs over Jack. Oddly it seems he's been standing there. Casually waiting, if that wouldn't be the last thing one does when under attack. They sprint up the stairs to the control room, where Walter is hacking into the keyboard.
"SG-6 came back with a little souvenir," Jack says.
"We're locked out. I can't get the blast doors to open," Walter adds.
Sam jumps to the control computer and lets her fingers fly over the keyboard. Adrenaline is rushing through her body, making her more alert and...
"Carter, are you smiling?"
Whoops.
It takes her 26 seconds to crack the block and open the blast doors. With every inch they raise, her anticipation grows. At first, she can see a pair of boots then another one and then legs, many legs. Crap, it looks like the invader is keeping the entire team hostage. Sam quickly looks at Jack, who patiently watches the blast screens to open. He's not even holding a gun. What the hell is happening? Maybe the General is compromised. He notices her glaring at him, and his face hardens, but the military-default won't entirely oust his lingering smile. Sam turns back to the gate room. The blasts are all the way up now, and she can see all of them. Daniel, Teal'c, Siler, Colonel Reynolds, Dr. Lee, Captain Hailey, even Dr. Lam are standing in front of the gate looking right back at her with stupid grins on their faces. What the hell? What kind of invasion is that? And then they move as if they are one. Lifting their right arms to their heads in a perfect salute.
"You lost your bet, Walter," Jack says as he steps next to her. "Under 30."
Self-defense-mode is still switched on in Sam, so only when Jack says, "Common Carter, it's your goodbye party." her inner blast doors open up. She huffs a relieved, disbelieving laugh, and then a big smile spreads on her lips.
Jack nudges her arm. "You believe they would just you sneak out?"
He heads down the stairs, but she can't quite move. Looking in all those faces causes a swirl of emotions. There are Siler and Walter, who are her second team here on base. How many nights has she spent with Siler fixing the gate or her motorcycle? Countless. Her glance wanders to Captain Hailey—the fearless force that reminds Sam so much of herself. Dr. Felger beams at her like a loyal puppy and wipes a tear from the corner of his eyes. Sam quickly looks away before he can get even more cheesy. No risk with that when she's looking at Colonel Reynolds and the rest of SG-3. She wouldn't be here without them. No one of SG-1 would. Her eyes wander to her notorious team, and a sweet-sour feeling rises. They've become her family. Daniel is her best friend. Teal'c an older brother and the one she would turn to when she felt like falling apart. With little words and a big hug, he had always patched her back together. Teal'c smileys warmly to Sam nods his head and then looks over to Jack, who's chatting with Daniel. Teal'c looks back to her, and now with something naughty in his grin. As if he knows the real reason for her transfer. Heat rushes into her cheeks just the moment Jack looks to her. He grins and then nods his head. Common, Carter, his eyes say, and this is the moment she knows leaving the SGC is ripping a piece from her heart, but she'll survive because her heart is finally not missing altogether.
Thirty minutes after Sam stepped out of Cheyenne Mountain for the last time—well, until Earth needs saving or the General invents an emergency only to have her fix his computer—she gets out of her car, tips back her head and takes a deep breath. The stars twinkle above her, and she takes her time to look at them. Between all the different alien skies, she forgot to appreciate the one that's always been there for her.
"Think those stars will be enough for a while?" Jack steps out of the dark next to her and follows her glance into the night sky. As all their conversations, this one seems trivial but comes with a litany of hidden meanings. None of it has anything to do with stars.
"It's funny. We traveled to all those planets and looked at new stars with so much excitement that we forgot how beautiful our own sky is," Sam says and lets her hand fall to the side, brushing along the back of Jack's hand.
"I hear there's good stargazing in Nevada," Jack says, his voice as casual as if they weren't talking in their secret language about her and him.
"Too bad I don't have a telescope."
"Oh, I know someone who can lend you one."
"Really?
"Yeah, but it's very particular. He probably wouldn't leave you alone with it."
"That's okay," Sam says, peeling her eyes from the stars and turning to the man with stars in his eyes.
"You are not my commanding officer anymore," Sam states as if this is new information.
"You can finally tell me what an annoying schmuck I am," Jack sways from one foot to the other. Nervousness radiating from him like she's never experienced it before. Of course, all well hidden under the cool-man-mask he is always wearing.
"I'm thinking something else," Sam says and turns to him so that their bodies almost touch. It's weird how she is not nervous at all. Excited, yes, but nervous? No. She has imagined this moment so many times, forbidden herself to think about it even more often. She's given up an engagement and her job for this. So even if this is maybe the most significant thing she's ever done—an odd acknowledgment for someone who blew up a sun—she is impossibly calm.
"You always had better ideas, so I…"
Sam interrupts Jack when she shuffles closer until they are only a wisp apart. She can watch his carefully built rampart break down as if only now, he is allowing himself to believe this is happening. Nevermind their conversation last week. Nevermind their innocent kiss. His always self-deprecating glint gives away to vulnerability when her fingers wander up his arm to find a nest in the back of his neck. He sucks in air, and the goosebumps on his skin send a trail of sensation down her arm. It's the last confirmation that tells her this man wants her like nothing else in his life. So she leans forward, bridging the last inches of rules and wars and honor that has held them back for so long, and kisses him.
Unlike anything about their surreal relationship, this kiss is surprisingly easy and light. And just like their relationship, they are taking their time. Sam curls her hand in Jack's neck and, as a response, feels him wrap his arms around her waist. He pulls her closer, not with force, but slowly, gently until she is pressed against his warm chest that gives away his exhilarated heartbeat. Sam smiles into the kiss, and Jack, never a man to let opportunities pass slips his tongue over her smiling lips and asking for entry.
Somewhere in the distance or maybe closeby, a car drives by, reminding them that they are still out on the street in front of his house. Not her CO or not, perhaps not the best spot to continue this. Jack ends the kiss with one to her nose. When he leans back, his eyes are dark and predator-like and make her giddy. He smirks then grabs her hand, pulling her with him to his house. Hectically he fingers the keys into the door, and when it finally swings open, he turns around to kiss her and lift her up in one move.
For the next hours, gravity is suspended.
His house looks like a tornado hit. A trail of clothing leads from his bedroom to the entrance. The grin on his face becomes almost painful as he picks up the lacy bra that finally drove him over the edge. With the bra between his fingers, he decides that cleaning up can wait, and so can breakfast. His world-famous omelet has been waiting for years to be made for Carter. One more day should be okay. Jack turns around with the intention to slip back into bed, but as he finds Carter sleeping in the morning light, in his bed, all peaceful—and most importantly naked, his movement suspends. He's watched her sleep a million times. Under alien skies, on the brink of death in alien prisons or brought back to life in the infirmary. There's probably no one else he has watched sleep as often as her, and yet this view is entirely new. Nothing of the usual alertness or pain, just a deep slumber with—maybe he's reading too much into it now, but no, there's definitely a smile on her lips.
"You know, you don't have to sit next to my bed anymore," she mumbles without opening her eyes.
Damn, she can even read his mind when she's not looking at him.
Jack slights next to her and presses his lips into the curve of her neck. A hum vibrates through her body, and she curls deeper into his embrace, kissing his hand, then pressing his palms against her heart. "Good Morning."
"Perhaps the best morning ever," Jack answers in between placing kisses across her shoulder.
Suddenly Carter starts moving in his arms. She rolls around, pushing him back and lands on top of him. "Oh, I think it can get even better."
She leans in to kiss him. Her hands digging into his hair and her body pressing so teasingly against his. This morning kiss awakens every last part of his body to full alert.
As always, Carter is right: The morning is getting better by the second.
Eventually, they make it out of bed. One more little incident in the kitchen later, they sit showered, dressed, and filled with eggs ala O'Neill in his car en route to Minnesota. A stupid grin is plastered to Jack's lips, and he's really trying to get his cool back before they meet the guys in his cabin, but even black-ops can't rep you for Samantha Carter.
He glances over to Sam, who is watching the ever merging landscape pass by. In the brought daylight, it suddenly feels more real. This is how he knows her best. Sun on her face, wind in her hair, only the P-90 is missing. A tiny detail that means a significant change.
Jack looks back at the street, trying to get control over the smiles, which is about to extend past his lips' capabilities. From the corner of his eyes, he notices Carter stirring and suddenly, without warning, her hand slips behind him and finds a place at the back of his head. Her thumbs start brushing his skin at a sedated pace. It's the most ordinary thing, yet little does she know what it means to him. From the backseat of his parents' car, he had watched his mom do precisely this to his dad. Seeing her massage his dad's neck had always given Jack a warm feeling, and one day, he had hoped he would be the one on the receiving end of this loving touch by the woman he loved. Sarah had never done it. And Carter just stretches her arm out, like it's nothing and curls her fingers in his nape. The smile on his face grows to Cheshire cat dimension, and he can't help himself but hum.
He didn't think it was possible to fall more in love with her. But as usual, Carter proves him wrong.
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