GIRL'S NIGHT OUT
Two days later and Friday was upon them. Sam was sitting in her lab at 15:00 trying to figure out a way to get out of Vala's planned Girl's night out'. She appreciated Vala's support. Really. But flirting with men in a bar to get over the love of her life just wasn't her style. She'd much prefer to sit at home in sweats, watching some old sappy movie.
She wasn't really surprised he hadn't tried to contact her since their fight. She had told him not to. But somewhere, deep inside, she'd hoped he would have maybe put up a little more of a protest. But nope, nuthin, nada.
Very likely she'd run into him, sometime next month. Wonder what that will be like?' she tried imagining the scene and cringed.
Then she wondered if she should apply for leave and go away somewhere and avoid it altogether. Well, that's pretty cowardly' she scolded herself.
I'd rather go to an Ori World and try to defeat them single handily,' she thought wryly.
Maybe Vala is right. Couldn't hurt to just go out and have some fun. It's not like I have to flirt, which I don't think I could do. But it'll be fun watching her. Oh my god though, I can't possibly wear that outfit. That would definitely get people talking if anyone from the base saw it. No, that's definitely out.' Sam smirked inwardly, her face red with her secret embarrassment.
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
20:00 hours. Dr. Daniel Jackson and Lt. Col. Cameron Mitchell were passing through the last of the base's security checkpoints before heading to their respective vehicles.
"Oh come on! You mean to tell me you're not even a little curious?" Mitchell lashed out in animated exasperation.
"No Cameron. I'm not. Sam and Vala want to have a Girl's night out. We weren't invited. Let it go." Daniel patiently responded, rolling his eyes.
"Man! Come on. Look, we don't even have to sit with them. There's no law against two buddies going to a club to have a beer after work is there?" Cameron tried again.
"Buddies?" Daniel snorted. "Fine, I'll go have a beer with you. Just not at Driscoll's."
Cameron let out a heavy sigh and stopped walking, his shoulders slumped.
"No Cameron," Daniel was relentless, as he turned back to look at the other man. "I don't think Sam would appreciate it. She's had enough for one week, and it's time she had a little fun. Plus I think its great her and Vala are getting along so well. Us being there could just crimp their style."
"Yeah, I guess you're right," Mitchell conceded, sounding very disappointed. "Fine. You win. It's just...well, it's just that Vala has been so outrageous about tonight, and going on about that outfit she picked out for Sam...I just thought...ah, never mind." He finished, throwing his hands up in the air.
"I see," said Daniel wryly, throwing Mitchell a disgusted look.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Cameron jumped on the defensive. "All I'm sayin is it'd be nice to see Sam with her hair down, well, if she had hair to let...never mind. You know I respect her. She's brilliant. Heck, she's a better Colonel than me. Is it so hard to believe that I want to show her a little support through this? I mean come on, what a freakin idiot the guy' is. Had someone like Carter, then just let her slip through his fingers, all because he didn't want to stay at her place and meet her friends. Makes me glad we didn't meet him. The guys' an obvious moron!"
Daniel could only nod in agreement at the assessment, then saw Cameron suddenly tense, his facial features now totally serious. Drawing himself to attention, Cameron moved his hand to a perfect saluting position.
"Sir!" Mitchell snapped out respectfully.
Shocked, Daniel turned to see who had snuck up on them. Last he saw, Landry was still in his office. Daniel took in the man who'd come up quietly behind them, and his eyes popped open in surprise. Then he smiled, his face clearly showing his confusion.
"At ease, Colonel," came the familiar voice.
"Jack! What the hell are you doing here?" Daniel almost yelled, then went and grabbed his friend in a hug.
Extricating himself, Jack replied, "Have something I need to talk to Landry about...in person."
Looking around Mitchell, Jack asked, "Where's the rest of the team?"
"Teal'c's off world, and Sam and Vala are having a girl's night'," Daniel offered. Then looking back at Mitchell he continued, "Hey, we were just going to grab a beer. Wanna join us?"
Jack looked doubtfully from Daniel to Mitchell, sizing up just how uncomfortable this Lt. Col. would feel being stuck having to socialize with him. It almost made Jack laugh with evil delight. Could be fun. Jack's face gave nothing away.
"Gotta see Landry first, shouldn't take long. Why don't I meet you there? Where ya goin?" Jack asked.
"Driscoll's," volunteered Mitchell happily, earning himself a killer of a glare from Daniel.
"Great," Jack said, "meet you there in...oh...let's say... an hour...or so?"
"Yes sir," snapped Mitchell.
"You're an ass," jabbed Daniel toward Cameron. "If she gets pissed, I'm telling her it was your fault." Cameron only smiled in victory as he headed for the vehicle lot.
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
It was only 20:30 by the time they got there, but Driscoll's was already busy. Daniel and Mitchell were lucky to find an empty table. Daniel removed his windbreaker and threw it on the bench seat before sliding in. Mitchell slid in from the other side, but kept going till he was in the middle. A much better vantage point.
Driscoll's was one of the most popular clubs in the Springs. Not a bar, yet not a formal restaurant. It had opened only 2 years ago, just before the original SG1 team went their separate ways.
Young to middle aged singles flocked here on the weekends, mostly to mingle and have harmless fun. The dance floor was huge, and the DJ was partial to popular easy listening, so slow dancing was huge here. The atmosphere was purposefully romantic with dimmed lighting, and pin lights speckled the walls and ceiling.
Seating was set off from the dance floor. Mostly very comfortable rounded and padded booths that encouraged intimacy. Along a far wall was a bar that had an unimpeded view to the dance floor. Usually it was home to the typical bar flies who would gather only to watch the pretty women dance. That is until they got up the nerve to actually go ask one of them to dance.
The dress code was casual. Not exactly jeans and t-shirt though. The men mostly wore slacks and cotton dress shirts, but the women, oh the women. Never had Daniel been at Driscoll's and not seen every woman in the place dressed to the nines.
Shortly after their arrival, a friendly hostess appeared. Another great thing about Driscoll's, even when busy the service was excellent.
"Good evening Gentlemen, what can I get for you," the young hostess asked.
"Guinness...two," answered Mitchell, holding up two fingers, then turning his attention to look around in search of the women who he had come to see.
"Thank you," Daniel gave the young woman a polite smile and a nod. How was it he always got stuck with the rude guys? He was about to say something but then heard Mitchell give out a low whistle.
Looking at Cameron, he then followed the man's gaze. Daniel spotted Vala. She was flanked by young chatty men near the bar. Vala was wearing her skin tight black leather pants, with a black thin strapped tank-t. A black silk scarf was tossed casually around her throat. She was laughing and looking completely in her glory as she held court with several young men so obviously trying to compete for her attention.
So very Vala, and hardly worth the whistle, Daniel thought snidely to himself. Whoa, he wondered, where had that come from? Ok, he admitted, she looks good. She always looked good. That was part of the problem.
Then he saw Sam.
Off to the side, with her own entourage of male admirers, was Sam. Her attention shifting from one to another of the men as they tried to engage her in conversation. She was sipping some sort of cocktail, looking very uncomfortable with all the attention. Daniel felt for her, but even he couldn't keep the appreciative glint out his eyes.
Lt. Colonel Sam Carter was gone, and in her place stood a very beautiful Samantha Carter, definitely all woman. Her short blonde hair had been styled and now showed some wave. Her already beautiful face was made up to perfection. Daniel wondered if Vala had done the make up job.
But it was the dress. Wow. Sam wore a royal blue silk dress that clung to every curve. The bodice was shaped as a tank T, but had what appeared to be small jewels sparkling around the top and continuing up the thin straps. It came in tight at her waist, then a subtle billow out till it ended just above her knees. She wore sapphire earrings that dangled, with a matching choke necklace. Stunning. Daniel let out a slow breath.
Tearing his eyes away, Daniel looked at Mitchell, then punched him in the arm. Cameron had been leering, and that was putting it nicely.
"What?" Cameron finally looked at Daniel.
Daniel passed him a napkin, and sarcastically quipped, "Wipe the drool."
The hostess returned with the beer and asked if the gentlemen would be running a tab. As Jack was yet to arrive, Daniel indicated they would be, and again thanked her.
"Oh crap!" Daniel exclaimed.
"What?" Cameron queried.
"Jack," was all Daniel had to say.
Mitchell looked stricken for a moment then said, "What the hell, she's on her own time. It's not like she's naked. Well not quite anyways." The last said with a huge grin, taking a swig of his beer.
"Hey guys, what are you doing here?" It was Sam. Surprisingly she looked sort of relieved.
Daniel looked past her to see Vala still keeping court by the bar, not even having noticed Sam's departure. Figures.
"Ah..." Daniel stammered, looking embarrassed.
"Just two buddies having a beer is all," quipped Mitchell, holding up his beer as if to prove it to her.
"Mind if I join you?" Sam almost begged, looking behind her to make sure she hadn't been followed.
Daniel slid along the bench to give her room to slip in beside him.
"Nice dress, Carter," offered Cameron.
Sam didn't respond but shot daggers at him with her glare. He got the message and returned his gaze to his beer bottle, which had suddenly become extremely interesting.
"Not exactly your style," Daniel empathized, looking at his friend with only kindness in his eyes.
"No. Not even sure why I agreed to this, really. I'm sort of wishing I could just crawl into a hole somewhere and make as though it never happened," Sam replied, taking a small sip from her cocktail.
Daniel gave her a sympathetic hug, then took a sip of his own beer.
"Oh!" he spit out suddenly, some of his beer coming with it. "I almost forgot. This should cheer you up, guess who we saw?"
"Who?" Sam laughed, as she watched Daniel pat away the beer on his chin with a napkin.
"Jack. Saw him at the base just as we were leaving. Said he had to see Landry, then he's coming to meet us here." Daniel smiled at her, waiting to see her face light up.
"Ya, should be here anytime now," added Mitchell, looking at his watch.
Although no one had ever talked about it, Daniel knew there was a definite attraction between Jack and Sam. Nothing had ever happened between his team mates while working together, of that he was sure. But he had always felt it was only their military positions that had held them back. Daniel was saddened for his friends that nothing had materialized when Jack was no longer Sam's CO. He mentioned it once to Jack, but had been told to "Stay out of it Daniel", and Jack's tone clearly indicated it was not a topic open for discussion.
It was a shame though. Jack always had a way of lightening Sam up, even if it meant ordering her to have fun. And she'd had a way of mellowing him out. That last one helped to keep life under Jack O'Neill's command much more bearable for Daniel. So he was genuinely surprised at Sam's reaction to his news.
Sam paled and looked stricken. Her wide eyes went from Daniel to Mitchell almost horrified, then she looked down at her dress. "Oh my god!" she finally managed to choke out.
Immediately Daniel understood. She didn't want Jack to see her this way, making what she would consider, a fool of herself. For years she'd had to prove to herself that the males she worked with saw her as a soldier and scientist first. And now she was flaunting her feminine attributes. She probably thought she would loose some of Jack's respect for her. Daniel thought not, but he doubted anything he could say would change her mind. So he said the only thing he could think of.
"Wanna borrow my jacket?" he offered, procuring his windbreaker for her inspection.
Sam didn't answer, just grabbed it and began to slide out of the bench so she could put it on. Just as she had risen to her feet, her back turned to the dance area, Vala appeared out of no where.
"There you are," she drawled at Sam. Then noticing the boys, she threw them a seductive head nod, before turning her attention back to Sam.
Whispering loudly, using a conspiring tone, Vala announced, "Well girlfriend, the gene pool around here just got a whole lot better. Wait till I show you the specimen that just walked in. I've been places, believe me, I've been places...but no where have I seen a man this...uh."
Vala dramatically threw her head back and made as though she would faint, her hand clenched over her heart.
Composing herself with the widest grin Sam had ever seen Vala display, Vala began speaking to someone just behind her, "Oh it's you. I was just telling my friend..."
"Vala!" Mitchell barked, effectively cutting her off.
Everything happened far too fast after that for Sam.
Vala turned to glare at Cameron who ignored her.
"Vala Mal Doran, may I introduce Major General Jack O'Neill. Sir, Vala." Mitchell gave the introduction.
Cameron could tell by the look on the General's face that this was probably a bad idea. He should've listened to Daniel.
"You're Jack O'Neill, the Jack O'Neill?" Vala dripped sensuously.
Jack tilted his head toward Vala, giving her a somewhat pinched smile, then turned his attention to a very interesting back struggling to put a jacket on. Leaning in he whispered loudly, "You don't need to cover up on my account Colonel."
Her face flushed, she willed herself around to face him. Taking in a deep gulp of air, the jacket sleeves still only half way up her arms, she looked up to meet his eyes. She saw he was, well, not angry, but something...she just couldn't put her finger on it. She lowered her gaze.
"Here, let me help you with that," he offered softly.
He slowly began to bring the jacket up so her arms slid in freely. As he did so, he seemed to intentionally brush his thumbs along her bare arms, as though in punishment. Once on her, he gave the jacket a gentle little tug at the collar to allow the material to cover her exposed front.
"There," he said. "That should keep the...cold...away."
Sam shivered, she'd heard him use that tone once too many times to be fooled by its seeming harmlessness.
"Thank you, sir," she said, as she again dared to look into his eyes.
Two brown, now almost black eyes burned into her, totally cancelling the small smile on his lips. She knew from years of serving with him, that this was not a happy smile.
Like a deer caught in the headlights of an on coming car, Sam couldn't break away from his gaze. Daniel and Mitchell exchanged concerned looks as Jack's darkening features had not escaped either of them.
Vala remained oblivious to the scene playing out before her, choosing to slide into the bench beside Mitchell, in hopes this gorgeous General would sit next to her. She took in his long, powerful frame. So unlike Landry's. A little older than she usually liked, but his face was chiselled and more handsome than anything...or one...she had ever seen. Virility oozed from his every pore. Never had she sensed such raw power in one single male.
And the man knew how to dress. Black belted slacks with a tucked in black T. Over the t-shirt he wore a crisp dark blue cotton shirt, untucked and unbuttoned. The shirt's opening only tempted a lady's eyes to follow it down from his face to his... Vala gulped and unconsciously licked her lips.
The hostess appeared, saving Sam from what she thought would be her untimely demise.
"Can I get anyone something from the bar," the young woman asked.
Jack finally broke his eyes away from Sam and gave the woman a charming smile.
"I'll have a Guinness, two more for my friends...and Vala?" Jack turned to her enquiringly.
"A Bloody Mary...thanks," Vala smiled at him dreamily, he smiled back, sending her heart into leaps.
"A Bloody Mary for the lady," Jack instructed the hostess, "and whatever this lovely lady was having, please bring her another."
"Pink Lady," the hostess responded, and left with her orders.
"More like red," Jack quipped with a sarcastic grin.
Cameron couldn't help but laugh, it was funny after all.
"Have a seat, Colonel," he instructed Sam, motioning to where she'd been beside Daniel.
Once she had taken her seat, Jack slid in beside Vala, not entirely comfortable with the way the woman was sizing him up.
"So," he directed at Sam. "Whatcha doin?"
Daniel couldn't figure out why Jack seemed so pissed at Sam, but piped up to defend his friend.
"Leave her alone Jack. She's had a rough week, and Vala talked her into this. You know this isn't Sam's style," Daniel explained.
"Wasn't asking you," Jack responded tersely, throwing Daniel a warning look, before looking back at Sam.
Sam to her credit met his eyes but stayed silent.
"Got nuthin huh?" he shot at her.
Their drinks arrived, and Jack withdrew a hundred dollar bill from his pocket. Putting it on the Hostess' tray he told her to keep the change.
Taking a long drink of his beer, Jack slowly ran his gaze over each of the members of his party, until he finally came back to Sam.
Putting his beer on the table, Jack took in a deep breath then slowly blew it out. Finally he said, "Well this is awkward."
"Ya think?" Daniel retorted sarcastically. Jack let out a snort.
"Actually Carter, it really is none of my business. You're on your own time, and you obviously weren't expecting me to show up. Do whatever you want, far be it from me to wreck anyone's fun," Jack relented, now looking down at his beer bottle.
"I said that, see I said that," Mitchell agreed, slapping Daniel on the arm. Cam's smile soon fading as he noticed the glare he was getting from the General.
Sam looked across and again noticed that look on Jack's face. What was that? She tried to see through that wall. Oh no' she moaned to herself. She hadn't recognized it, because she had never seen it before, perhaps a shadow of it, but that was it. Never had see actually seen...
He was hurt, feeling betrayed, and she was the cause.
"This was a mistake sir," she started slowly, noting he was back looking and fidgeting with his bottle.
"I was seeing someone," she continued. "And long story short, we had a huge argument and broke up this week."
She hesitated only briefly as his eyes came up to meet her's.
"Vala thought the best way to get over it was to...I don't know..." Sam lifted her hands in frustration. "So I agreed to a girl's night out, thinking it would take my mind off...him. In any event, this isn't me, you know that. It was a mistake, and just before you showed up I saw Daniel and Cameron sitting here and thought by joining them I could get their help to get me out of...this."
"The dress?" he asked with a sign of amusement coming back to his face.
"Funny, sir," Sam rolled her eyes at him, trying to smile. "The situation."
"What? You weren't having fun!" Vala exclaimed.
"No, sorry Vala, this just isn't me," Sam broke it to her friend.
"But that dress, I picked it out for you. You look stunning in it," Vala said in hurt disbelief. "Go ahead ask them," she said waving her hand by the three men seated at the table.
"Oh ya," Mitchell happily agreed, "Stunning!"
Jack glared in Cameron's direction. Oh oh,' Sam thought.
"See," Vala triumphed.
"Look, General," Vala turned her attention to Jack, slipping her arm through his. "Sam here has been seeing a guy who turned out to be a jerk. A jackass really."
Jack looked down to where Vala had attached herself to him, then glanced across to Sam.
"A Jackass?" he asked Vala, amusement now clearly in his tone.
"So this is my fault really," Vala volunteered. "I talked her into it, bullied really. I just thought it a shame that a woman of Sam's calibre should be left to pine over someone who so obviously didn't appreciate her."
"Uh huh, go on," Jack voice was velvet, turning on the charm.
"Jack, don't be an ass!" Daniel exclaimed, confused and frankly getting pissed off with Jack's reaction to Sam trying to have a little fun.
"Can we talk about something else!" Sam almost yelled, completely horrified at how this evening had turned out.
Daniel continued as though he hadn't heard her. "The guy was an idiot, didn't want to meet her friends or be seen with her. He just wanted to keep everything secret, like she's some dirty little..."
"Enough!" Sam did yell this time.
"Guys a moron," muttered Mitchell taking a swig of his beer. "Good riddance to him, that's what I say Sam."
Silence fell upon the group. Jack sat thoughtfully staring at his beer, then with the hand that didn't have Vala attached at the arm, picked up his bottle and took another long drink.
"Sounds like the guys a real smuck," Jack opined, looking at Sam with more compassion. "Is that how he made you feel?"
Sam looked at Jack, and tilted her head, willing herself not to cry.
"No...sir. He's not a smuck, and he made me feel...amazing. He has solid reasons for keeping our relationship a secret. I guess I just wanted to take it to the next level, and maybe he just wasn't ready. But he's definitely not a smuck." Sam answered, her lip trembling slightly.
"I'm sorry for this...really I am," she said nodding her head towards her friends.
"Ya know Carter, couples can have arguments without breaking up, married people sometimes do it daily. If it's worth it, then work it out. It doesn't have to be the end of the world," Jack advised. Sam only nodded.
Surprised by Jack's insight, Daniel looked back and forth between his friends. Confusion clearly evident on his features.
"So, you gonna give this smuck another chance?" Jack asked Sam sincerely.
"Not sure he wants another chance, sir," she said, again looking at her friends.
"Ya sure you want him to meet these guys? Sounds to me like they'd tear him apart," probed Jack, the softness back in his eyes.
"Damn right!" agreed Cameron.
Sam noticed the playful smile first, and then checking his eyes to make sure, yup, there was that glint. For the first time that night, Sam laughed. Poor Cameron.
"I'm sure he can handle himself," Sam chuckled.
"Ok..." Jack sucked in a deep breath and gave a shake of his head before blowing it out.
"But don't say I didn't warn you," Jack looked at her, a full smile on his face.
"Just do me a favour though, tell your friend over there," General O'Neill stopped and directed a fierce glare at Lt. Colonel Cameron Mitchell, who in turn froze in fear without understanding why.
Returning his gaze to Sam, Jack warned very softly, but loud enough they could all hear, "That if he ever, and I do mean ever, calls me a moron again, I will kick his ass so far off this planet."
"Yes dear," Sam laughed. "Cameron, please don't call Jack a moron again. He doesn't like it."
"Dear?! Jack?!" Daniel choked. "What the hell!"
Then with a mischievous smile, Sam introduced, "Guys, I'd like you to meet the guy'"
"Come on, let's go home," Jack said as he disentangled himself from Vala, stood, and reached for Sam's hand.
The three at the table stared in open mouthed disbelief as Jack and Sam took a few steps away. Jack stopped suddenly, turning so he could look into Sam's eyes.
"That went well dontcha think?" he smirked. "You wanna give Daniel his jacket back?"
"No, I'll give it back Monday," she responded, looking lovingly back. "From now on, this dress is for your eyes only."
"Excellent!" he chimed.
Jack turned back to the table and stared at Mitchell for a moment. Then nodding his head toward Vala, he ordered "Make sure you see the lady back safely."
"Yes sir," came the muted response.
Watching the couple depart, Vala purred dreamily, "Did you hear that, he called me a lady."
"Well he never was that bright," retorted Daniel jokingly, with a self satisfied smirk.
About time,' though is what he thought to himself as he watched them leave.
TBC
D.Ver's, hang in there with me. The next part is for you guys.
DISCLAIMER: "Stargate SG-1," "Stargate Atlantis," and its characters are the property of MGM/UA, Double Secret Productions, Gekko Film Corp., Showtime/Viacom and USA Networks, Inc. This story is for entertainment purposes only and no money has exchanged hands. No copyright infringement is intended. The original characters, situations and story are the property of the author(s), and may not be republished or archived elsewhere without the author's permission.