Our House

Arriving at Nellis O'Neill requisitioned a vehicle and they were off to see Cassie. A very late lunch or early supper was first on the agenda. It was hard to have a conversation over O'Neill's rumbling stomach.

At lunch they tossed around the possibility of Sam's transfer to the Vegas area and Cassie seemed positive about the idea. However her affect was anything but enthusiastic. This somber young woman was so unlike the exuberant person they knew. Life had been harsh and its cruelty glared through Cassie's somber eyes.

Driving back from the restaurant on a whim Jack pulled into the parking lot of a real estate agent.

Much to Cassie and Sam surprise Jack told the agent at the first desk "These ladies and I would like to see some houses located between the university and Nellis."

The agent pulled a few choices from her multi-listings book and they narrowed down those choices to three. They spent the early evening looking at houses. The second one they looked at was perfect; it was a rental with an option to buy.

"Oh the poor man had the house built then was transferred back east right before moving in. He thinks there might be a chance he might be transferred back so he's reticent to let it go."

It was a lovely house. In the center a large kitchen and dinning area were adjacent to a spacious great room. The right wing consisted of a master suite with a small study, on the left wing were two bedrooms, one a junior suite, the other shared the hall bath. Also on this side of the house was the garage and laundry room. The back yard was small, completely fenced, a shaded patio, a modest pool and native plantings.

As they strolled through the master suite the agent pointed out the oversized shower with numerous shower jets. Sam could see a smirk slide over Jack face and just as quickly disappear. Her cheeks reddened as he innocently smiled at her.

Eying Cassie, emerging from the other side of the house, Jack cocked his head and gave her a quizzical look. She smiled and he winked at her.

"You don't have to do this for me."

"Don't have to - we want to. And there may be some collateral advantages."

Cassie observed Jack glancing tentatively at Sam who was talking to or rather listening to the real estate agent.

"You don't have to live here if you don't want to but it could be a home base for you while Carter works here."

"She's changing careers - showgirl, croupier?"

Jack smiled while he let him imagination run away. "No, I guess not. Just the same old, same old."

"I think I'd like it. You'd come visit?"

"If she'll let me."

They both realized that Sam was behind them. Turning they saw a pensive look come over her face.

"Well" Jack said.

"We'll have to see about that." She said with a smirk

Cassie snickered. Then the feelings absent so long almost overwhelmed her; she felt happy and safe and she threw herself in Sam and Jack's arms.

They strolled outside. The house was on the far side of Las Vegas, so although there would be some light pollution Jack looked for a good spot for his telescope.

Jack asked the agent if she could have the rental agreement ready the next day then asked Sam and Cassis to drop him off at the base. He needed to check in with Reynolds and had some business to attend to in the morning. He'd give them a call to be picked up the next day about eleven. He thought, too, that they should take a second look at the house to see if it still pleased them and, if so, they'd go sign some papers at the agent's office.

As they drove off they heard Crosby, Sills, Nash and Young sing

'Our house is a very, very fine house
With two cats in the yard
Life use to be so hard
Now everything is easy cause of you.'

"I'm more of a dog person myself." Jack muttered fully aware he would be outnumbered on many decisions and strangely enough he didn't seem to care a whole hell of a lot.

He bid them good night, giving Cassie a hug and whispering to her that not everything would be easy cause they wished it so. But that they all loved one another and were willing to do what was necessary to make all of their lives, all of their lives better. He told her too that a line from, well, he couldn't remember from where, kept bobbing up in his mind "All lose, whole find."

It was kind of how he was feeling. Everything seemed lost just a few short weeks ago. And now fate had put everything back together again and he not only felt hopeful but happy.

He knew they would spend a good deal of the night discussing the changes proposed in their lives. His job now was to effect those changes.

That evening General O'Neill met with the commandant of the base discussing the transfer of Lieutenant Colonel Samantha Carter to the Research and Development department of Area 51 located at the Nellis Air Force Base from her pervious position at Stargate Command. The next morning he spent on the phone with General Hammond for permission for said transfer. The whole thing left him in a bit of a turmoil, a bittersweet sensation hoping this latest upheaval would not cause him to loose them both.

As they drove away Sam asked "What was that about?"

"Jack was quoting poetry."

"General O'Neill? Oh no, not some off color limerick?"

"No, it was one we read this year. Actually it might help explain his views on scientists. I kinda remember a few lines.

' beware of heartless them
(given the scalpel, they dissect a kiss;
or, sold the reason, they undream a dream)'."

"You're telling me he's a romantic?" Sam said with a big smile on her face.

"I thought you knew."

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Steven Sills - "Our House"

e.e. cummings - one's not half two.