AN: So here we go. This is my first attempt at a Sam/Jack story, as well as my first at an SG-1 story. This piece was written after the scene between Ba'al and Sam in Season 10, Episodes 11. The Quest part 2. I had no idea when I started it I would end up with 2 chapters. There are spoilers so be warned. I have no beta so all mistakes belong to me. If you catch any give me a shout. Anyway, enough from me and on with the story.
Jack's point of view.
As Jack O'Neill flicked through the report he had to admit the words were all jumbling together, very little was actually sinking in of what he was trying to read. Dumping it back on his desk he picked his pen up and signed it, tossing it on the pile for his secretary to file away. Looking at the hand full off files still to read and sign he pushed his chair back and stood up. His knees clicked and his back protested but after a few stretches, he was able to move. Walking around his desk, he went and stood at the window that overlooked part of the city. Seeing the hustle and bustle of the people and traffic below he let out a long sigh, he hated cities. They were too noisy and crowded and just well noisy and crowded. Stuffing his hands in his dress blue pants pocket, he rocked on the balls of his feet. Turning around, he faced his office again. His desk was a clutter of his computer and files, an empty coffee cup and a yo-yo peeking out from under the stack of files.
Looking at the shelving unit on the wall he couldn't help the small smile that tugged at the corner of his mouth. As well as the usual stuffy boring ornaments there were a couple of pictures that he had brought with him. The first one was of Cassie and himself in the park when she was younger. Cassie was now all grown up and starting to find her own way in the world. A concept that scared the hell out of him if he was honest. No matter how old Cassie got he would always see the little girl they rescued. The next two picture were of his team, the original SG-1. They were both very different picture in the way they had been taken. The first one had been taken off world, a quick shot as they all stood at the foot of the Stargate, all geared up and ready to face whatever was threw at them. The second was a lot more relaxed and casual. Teal'c had set the camera up on the table in his backyard at his home and set the timer. They were all happy and smiling, enjoying some down time.
The final picture was a favourite of his and he would never grow tired of looking at it. It had been taken at his cabin as he sat fishing on the dock. Of course it wasn't the fact he was fishing that made him smile, it was the person in the picture with him. Sam was sat next to him with a fishing rod in her hand looking out over the water. She looked relaxed and had a small smile on her lips. After everything they had been through not just as a team but Sam personally, he was pleased to have seen her smile.
Looking back at his desk he groaned, the work wasn't going to do itself. Trudging back to his desk he dropped into his chair just in time to hear the knock on the door.
"Come in," He called out as he shuffled around to get comfortable.
Looking up, he saw his secretary enter with more files and a large cup of coffee, a plate balanced on the cup. His attention drawn to the wedge of chocolate cake instantly.
"I thought you might want to read these straight away, it's SG-1's latest reports." Placing the files in front of him but noticing his eyes had never left the cake.
Putting the cup and plate down she turned to leave but heard a muffled thank you as she reached the door. Glancing over her shoulder as she exited she saw that the cake had worked as a pacifier for all the reading he had to do.
Jack knew there was a reason he liked his secretary, the cake in front of him reminded him why. Picking the fork up he made quick work of eating it before he started on the latest updates on the fight against the Ori. Looking at the four files in front of him he placed them in reading order. Mitchell's was first, then Vala's, Carter's third and finally Teal'c's. Picking up Mitchell's up settled back in his chair and started to read. As he read he was glad he had gone for a military report first. Cameron Mitchell's report was direct and to the point, no long winded waffle and big words. He hated reading but it was necessary, he needed to be on the ball for meetings and know what was going on. He knew of Daniel's capture and he knew that the rest of the team, and most of the SGC, would do anything they could to get Daniel back. Daniel had to be one of the most unluckiest members of the SGC, between dying and being captured his poor friend was yet again suffering.
Finishing that report he picked Vala's up and scanned the first page. He picked his coffee up and took a drink before he got his brain fried with Vala and her weird way of writing things down. He hadn't really got to know Vala but Sam spoke highly of her so she couldn't be that bad. Giving up after several pages he picked his coffee up again and drank the remaining contents. He really needed more before he went on but decided to wait till he was done.
Picking up Carter's report he smiled when he saw she had kept the technobabble to a minimum. As he read his brain was just starting to numb up when it stopped altogether. Wait, he must have read that wrong. Going back over the sentence he had just read he read it again twice to make sure his brain was not in fact mush. She had got into an altercation with Bal'al! What the hell did that mean? Reading the next few lines to see if she explained he saw she hadn't and tossed the file on the desk before picked Teal'c's up. If you want the best bits Teal'c was the man to see, or, in this case, read reports from. Flicking through the first few pages, he caught up to the description of Teal'c, Carter and Ba'al standing trying to work on the DHD program. Reading as fast as his file muddled brain let him he found what he was looking for. Reading Teal'c's description gave him the answers he needed.
Closing the file he stacked it with others, he had read enough. Buzzing through to his secretary he asked if she could get him some more coffee while he decided what he was going to do. He wasn't due to go back home till Friday and it was only Tuesday. He was not going to let this lie till then, he couldn't. Hearing a knock on the door, he called out and saw his empty cup disappear while a fresh steaming one replaced it. Nodding his thanks, he sat forward and picked the phone up.
Several phone calls later his plan had been set in motion. Looking at his watch, he rubbed the back of his neck and grabbed a stack of files. Flicking through them he got the gist of each one and then happily signed them, plowing through them as fast as he could. He had somewhere to be and he had very little time to get there. After signing the remaining files and reports he stood up and looked at the pictures on the shelves again, a smirk on his face at what he was planning on doing. Clearing up his desk as best as he could be bothered he grabbed his Jacket and started to do the shiny silver buttons up. Picking his case up he scanned the office once more before opening the door and striding past his secretary with a curt 'See you tomorrow' as he passed on his way out the door.
Jack blinked a few times as the beam of light deposited him in the darkness of his living room. Letting his eyes adjust to the darkness he moved out the room and into the hallway. Dumping his case at the front door, he headed along the hall towards his bedroom to change. Hanging his dress blues up he pulled on a worn and faded USAF t-shirt and a pair of sweatpants. Not bothering with footwear he padded barefoot to the kitchen. Opening the fridge he was pleased to see there was still beer. Taking a bottle, he flicked the lid of and took a long swig, enjoying the cold beverage as he swallowed. Putting the bottle down, he did a quick inventory of the cupboards and fridge before pulling his phone out his pocket. After making two calls he put the phone back in his pocket and gathered up dishes and cutlery for supper. When he had everything he carried it through and placed it all on the small table in front of his couch. Going back through the house he switched all the lights off and went and sat down on the couch after getting a fresh beer. Switching the Tv on he flicked through his recordings of The Simpsons and sat back to watch a couple of episodes as he waited.