He leaned back in the ancient chair, musing to himself how comfortable it was at its age. He chuckled at the thought, lately feeling more old and worn out, but sitting in a chair thousands of years old made him reconsider how old he felt. He sighed and checked his watch again. It was never a good sign when Carter was late. She was usually annoyingly punctual, early even, especially compared to his lackadaisical self. Becoming general didn't do much for his motivation, although sitting in the big chair did have its perks.
One more flick of the wrist. Ten minutes late. Maybe she had changed her mind and decided she couldn't go through with their "mission" after all. That would be a relief, he thought to himself. As willing as he was to do this to see her happy again, it was a huge breach of protocols, and he was shocked she was willing to mess with the timeline at all, even though her reason was a good one.
Footsteps sounded behind him, and he turned, greeted with the sight of his second-in-command dressed in forest fatigues. His eyebrows raised as his eyes flicked to his wrist again. She nodded. "Sorry, sir, Daniel stopped me in the hall and wouldn't stop talking long enough for me to get away until now."
"I've told you to feign non-interest, Carter. He'd leave you alone then," Jack replied, swiveling in his chair, back to the controls.
"Is that what you do, sir?" she asked, settling into the passenger seat while the ramp closed behind them.
He grinned wickedly and shook his head no. "I don't have to fake it," he replied, his gaze switching to her face momentarily as it became apparent to her what he meant. She grinned back and shook her head. "So," Jack said, panels beginning to light up around them. "You sure you want to do this? It's not too late to scrap this mission."
She shook her head and dialed the Stargate, watching as it flared to life before them. "Not on your life," she replied resolutely, and he recognized the determined look that had fallen over her face.
"O-kay," he replied, drawing out the word for longer than he necessarily had to, his own uncertainty noticeable to the woman who knew him well. "Let's do this then," he said and then flew the ship into the open wormhole, leaving the SGC they knew behind, not knowing to which one they would return.
He watched her closely as she leaned against a tree, her vision on an event that had been immortalized on film just the year before. The diligent doctor rushing to help another wounded soldier, only both Jack and Sam recalled how it ended. There would be a staff blast and the woman held dear to many hearts would fall to the ground, breathing no more. Actually, Jack noticed, it was getting to be that time and the woman against the tree hadn't moved at all, not even to raise her weapon.
"Uh, Carter. . ." Jack started, wondering if his second in command had lost her nerve after all.
"Not yet," she replied, taking a deep breath. "If I interfere with her death, I'll create an alternate timeline, one in which we won't belong."
He groaned. Not understanding half of the things that came out of her mouth was normal and partially the reason they hadn't discussed her plan to save the woman she loved. But now he was wishing he knew what the hell was going on. If they didn't prevent the staff blast from killing the woman, what were they here to do?
Suddenly a thought struck him. "Where are we going to find a sarcophagus?"
Even not seeing her face, he instinctively could feel her smile. She shook her head and finally brought her P90 to the ready position. "I have it all worked out, sir. You don't have to worry about a thing except getting us there."
They watched the scene unfold in silence, neither one feeling the need to talk any further. Finally Sam pressed the trigger, shooting down the Jaffa who had just killed her lover, and ran out from their hiding spot toward the group of SGC personnel who were still staring in shock at their fallen comrade. Jack groaned, but didn't follow her, having been advised by Sam earlier to stay out of sight. This was apparently very important since in this battle he had taken a severe blow to the chest and was being treated back at the SGC. He could not be seen, something that irked him, but he accepted it none the less.
He watched as Sam and Daniel talked briefly before she gathered up Janet's body in her arms. She then turned and began walking back toward Jack, who ducked behind the tree for cover. Still, she hadn't seemed to get any resistance from the archeologist.
When she rounded the tree, she stood there looking at him and blinked away hot tears. He knew this would happen, but that didn't stop him from wanting to rectify the situation. Reacting quickly, he reached over and took her lover's prone form, marveling that she let him take her. He then motioned his head in the direction of the ship.
Stepping inside the cloaked vessel, Jack carefully placed the doctor on the pillowed bench in the back and made his way to the front. Sam squatted down next to Janet and leaned over, brushing away a few stray hairs from the brunette's face. "Soon, love," she whispered, her tears beginning to fall.
Taking off, Jack knew there would be time ask questions later, but for now he got out of there as quickly as possible. He headed up and out into space, knowing Sam would direct him where to go when she was able.