"Dr Fraiser, this way to your quarters" a round faced man with a heavy belly says as he goes to pick up my backpack. I shake him off politely and then follow him down the Prometheus corridor.
This is the first time I've been on board the Prometheus, I missed my chance last time the Prometheus visited this gas cloud. The usual medic in charge on board the Prometheus took leave after returning to earth and I have been called in as temporary replacement.
This trip isn't expected to be too long term. Sam has assured me that we won't actually be entering the gas cloud unless absolutely necessary; though I still feel uneasy about going so far away from home with only the Prometheus as means of transport home.
Why the president was so insistent on investigating this child, I'll never know. It's not like we haven't encountered other beings capable of what she is. There was Orlin, Oma, and Harseisus. Granted they were all ascended beings, but who's to say that isn't all that this child is.
"Janet!" Daniel calls out from a room across from the one I seem to have been allocated "I didn't know you were coming on this trip" he smiles, politely.
"Yeah, nor did I" I return his smile as I place my backpack on top of the rooms single bed "I'm the temporary replacement for the previous doctor" I explain and he nods
"We're across the hall" he points out, just pointing it out to make conversation. It becomes quite obvious that he doesn't really have anything to say.
"Yep" I nod, so I'm not exactly the most helpful person in this conversation
"Yeah, the rest of SG1 are along this corridor too. Sam's beside you, Jacks next to me and I think Teal'cs quarters are just around the corner" Daniel points out closing the book in his hand.
"One big happy family" I mutter with a tired smile
"You alright?" he asks catching on to the fakeness of my attitude
"I'm just tired, I'll be fine" I admit and he nods and returns to whatever it was he was doing. I close the door as he leaves and bask in the silence that that door provides. I attempt to unpack my backpack but after glancing inside the heavily packed bag, I dump it on the floor and kick it beneath the bed and then flop onto the bed.
This is going to be one long trip.
---
"Listen Mark, I'm sorry I can't come to the dinner but I've been called into work, you know how it is.
Yeah I wanted to see them too, tell them I'll make it up to them… next time around.
Of course there'll be a next time! I don't know when! Look Mark I have to go, I'll talk to you when I get back.
No you can't call me… because I won't be in town!
Look mark I'll call you, trust me, I just really have to go… bye, tell the kids I love them"
"Your brother?"
"Ahh! Oh sorry sir, you just caught me off guard" I apologize as I place the cell phone into my pocket.
"That's got to be a first" he comments leaning against my door frame. He has an expectant look on his face and then I realize he had asked me a question
"Um yeah, I was supposed to be going up to visit him and the family this weekend. He had a surprise for me apparently but I'll just see him when we get back" I explain and he nods
"Uh, Daniel says Doc Fraiser just checked in" he states "just giving you the heads up, she'll probably want to do a pre mission checkup"
"Oh, I'll go see her when I've finished unpacking"
"Listen Carter, can I um…" he closes the door behind him.
"Sir if this is about the other night…"
"Well sort of…" he says putting up his hand gesturing that I listen
"It's more about that morning, I know nothing happened…"
"Then what's the problem sir?" I ask cutting him off he looks at me with a look that I can't really describe, I guess I just don't want to describe it.
After a long pause "Carter, I know we need to talk… I just don't really know what to…"
"We don't need to talk sir"
"We… we don't?" he looks puzzled
"No sir, there isn't anything to talk about" I lie
"There isn't?" he's so confused
"At least not right now" I can't talk now.
"Carter…"
"Sir…" I know this is hard for you
"Alright, if you say there isn't…"
"There's not" I assure him as he turns towards the door, he nears it and then turns around
"Just to be sure we're on the same page here, the other night at Daniel's…"
"Nothing happened" I smile and he nods
"And the security footage…"
"I'd prefer it if we didn't talk about that sir" oh he was so close to the door! He stops and stands before me
"Carter…"
"Sir, I'm fine" no you're not "really"
"Alright" he says sensing my discomfort "get a good night sleep"
"You too sir" what are you doing! He actually wants to talk. He leaves, pausing in the door way.
"You sure you don't want to talk?" he asks in the doorway, looking at me as he holds the door open. "Last chance…"
"Night sir" I laugh letting him leave, I have no clue why. He leaves me here and closes the door.
"Yeah I'm officially an idiot"
---
"Jack, wait" Daniel calls as I leave Carter's quarters and walk towards mine. "How'd it go with Sam?" he asks just as I go to enter my room
"Huh?" I ask, not entirely sure what he's asking
"You said you were going to have a talk with her…" that's none of his business
"That's none of your business" what's he looking at me that way for
"You didn't have a talk with her did you?" he realizes as I open my quarters.
"Nope" I admit stepping in
"Come on Jack!" he whines from my doorway.
"What? It's not my fault, she didn't want to talk!" this is none of your business, why am I telling you this?
"Did you even try?" he asks accusingly
"Yes! I asked her several times" I did, honestly.
"Well, what'd she say?" I've never realized just how nosey Daniel can be.
"She said there wasn't anything to talk about"
"And you believe that?"
"Sure, why not?" sure
"You really know nothing about women do you?" Daniel asks with the accusing look
"I do… well I… no" I sigh admit ably.
"Jack, you and I both know that you and Sam need to talk about what's going on"
"What's it to you? And how'd you find out about the tape anyway?"
"Tape? What tape?"
"Opps"
"What tape?" the curious look on his face is almost scary
"Nothing, forget I said anything"
"What tape Jack?" he presses, stepping into my quarters
"Daniel it's none of your business"
"Jack what's on this tape?" he asks pressing for answers
"There's no tape, and even if there was, it's none of your business"
"Oh no, you're not getting away this time Jack, what tape?"
"Daniel get out!" I order
"Jack…" he says looking like he's going to disobey that order
"Daniel!" I yell
"Alright alright," he says turning to leave "I'll find out myself" he says snatching up my bag and sprinting out before I can grab him.
"Don't even think about it Daniel!" I yell but he's already locked himself in his quarters "Daniel, open this damn door!" I'm going to kill him. The little shit better not check the front pocket.
"Don't worry Jack; I'm not watching your tape"
"You better not be!"
"It's a DVD" he laughs. I'm going to KILL him!
"Wanna try?"
"It's fun,"
"I remember when I was a little girl; I used to wonder how a bubble could exist. You see there's this thing called surface tension…"
"What is this?" he asks as the DVD plays
"It's the reason we're revisiting the gas cloud now turn it off!" I bang against the door
"Shh I can't hear it!"
"Good!" I yell as I bang loudly but he just turns it up
"I was wondering when you were going to show up."
"Ah this is what you don't want me to see!"
"No, its finished now shut it off!"
"Too tired, sir"
"Old habits, sorry."
"I've tried."
"Jack, what am I looking at?"
"None of your damn business! SHUT IT OFF!"
"I just don't know what to do right now."
"Came to give me a pep talk?"
"Jack, I think she's talking to you"
"YA THINK!"
"Friends"
That stops me in my tracks; I go to slam against the door but sit against it instead, listening.
"Ah, I see"
"What if I quit the air force? Would that change anything or is it just an excuse"
"Because you don't feel anything for me?"
"I'd let you go right now if I knew"
"I didn't say it would be easy"
"I'm trying"
"Me?"
"As long as I'm thinking about you, setting my sights on what I think is unattainable, there's no chance of being hurt by someone else."
"So what now?"
Now, now I guess we have a talk, even if I have to tie you down to do it.
"One last thing."
"Never mind"
The tape stops and Daniel opens the door, he wordlessly hands me my bag and the DVD. I accept them and then return to my quarters, slamming the door behind me. It's not long before he knocks on my door.
"Jack, you know this only means you definitely need to talk to her"
"Shut up Daniel!"