AN: I wrote this chapter in a total of about 15 min tonight and, as I don't have a beta, all mistakes are mine.
Chapter 18: Watching and Waiting
He watched the house intently for a while, looking for some sign...any sign as to why Sam had changed her mind. He wasn't getting very far. Without any of the proper equipment, there was no way he could tell what was going on inside without serious risk of being caught. He really didn't want to hurt her and he hated spying on her, but his instincts told him to find out the facts. As she wasn't taking his calls, he saw this as his only option. It was sheer luck that she had even come here tonight. He continued his watch but there was a nagging sense of guilt that kept making itself known. He was saddened by the fact that she wouldn't talk to him, but he didn't blame her. He had acted like a jerk and he probably deserved to be ignored for a while. With that in mind, he decided to call it a night, get a hotel room, and wait for Sam to talk to him. He knew she would. After all, she was Samantha Carter, kind and caring, and those qualities were part of the reason he loved her. She would never hurt him intentionally, of that he was sure. He just needed to know if he could fix what had happened or if it was out of his hands entirely.
He hadn't meant to ask the doctor about Jack O'Neill, but it just sort of popped out. He had been upset...shocked really, and his jealousy got the better of him. He supposed it was the abruptness of the decision and his thoughts about O'Neill the night before that drove him to further suspicion. Dr. Fraiser didn't tell him, of course, and Pete wasn't entirely sure what he would have done with the information if he had gotten it. He bore no grudge against the man... Well, none beyond the fact that he might have lost the most wonderful woman in the world to him, but it was Sam's life and her decision. He knew she would never allow herself to be coerced into a relationship, especially when she had just made a commitment to another. If it was the case that she had broken things off with him to be with O'Neill, then Pete knew the feelings must be deep-rooted...and if that was the case, Pete also knew that she deserved this happiness. He was vaguely aware of Air Force regulations and could only speculate at how hard it would be to work closely with someone and come to care for them, only to be told those feelings were illegal. In a way, he felt sorry for O'Neill. He couldn't imagine being around Sam day after day and not being able to feel the way he did about her. If she did care about him, and yes, love him, then that meant he had the ability to make her happy and he couldn't begrudge him for that. If Pete Shanahan knew anything it was that Samantha Carter deserved to be happy. But God help him if O'Neill ever hurt her...
He shook his head as if to clear his thoughts. He wanted a rational conversation with Sam the next day, and for that he would need to actually sleep and it was useless to continue down the path he was on. As he laid back in the bed he sighed sadly. A deep sense of melancholy filled him as he tried to settle down to sleep. He had a sneaking suspicion that sleep would be eluding him for a while that night and his instincts proved correct.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxo
AN2: I'm sorry if I disappointed anyone by not portraying Pete in the way a lot of people expected. I really do think he's an okay guy, just not for Sam. I realize it's not okay to spy on/stalk anybody no matter the reason, but I wanted to give Pete a more human side. I feel sorry for him. When I first started this story Pete was the evil stalker who went after Sam, but after rethinking where I wanted this plot to go I thought it would be best to give him a better character without completely ignoring the premise of character the show gives.
AN3: I've begun to realize that my chapters are really small. I'm at chapter 18 already and I'm not sure how much longer this story is going to be. So what about you all? Do you prefer longer chapters or shorter ones? I tend to separate chapters by settings and scenes. Should I stick a bunch of scenes together to make one chapter or continue on like I have been? I'm nearing the end of the part I already have written so it might be a while before I post again after next time if I go with longer chapters. Please let me know as it doesn't matter to me either way.