For Sam it was just another day, another waste of her time. She had been stationed at the Pentagon for nearly two years now. She hated it! She was still fuming that General West threw her off the Stargate project nearly two years ago! She had lived in Colorado, she had a home there, and she had friends!
But what hurt her the most was the fact she had to up root herself and her daughter and move back to Washington DC! She knew her daughter hated the school she was enrolled in. She knew she didn't have as many friends as she did in Colorado Springs. But they both knew they had to adjust. Most days she wished everything would go back to the way it was.
When she didn't have to worry about anything or anyone but herself! A time when all she feared was getting a B+ on one of her report cards! A time when the love of her life and father of her child was alive! A time when she was happy! She'd had a few boy friends in the past, and was serious with Captain Jonas Hanson for a while.
But the day she got home early and saw him hitting her daughter was the final straw. She'd kept a brave face for her daughter the whole time. She needed a father figure, and Jonas was willing to give her that! He had no idea who the child's biological father was and never asked. She didn't feel the need to share her past with him to that extent! Which in its self she should have realised was a clear message saying he wasn't right for them!
Her father had tried to warn her off him, but as usual she simply backed up turned around and stopped following him. She ran straight into the arms of Jonas Hanson just because her father couldn't keep his mouth shut! She knew she didn't want to spend the rest of her life with the man, but he showed such an interest in Xantheia that she thought it might be worth the pain.
She still remembered the look on his face and the screams she heard as she opened the front door. She was terrified that he wasn't there or was in the shower while Xantheia was trying to do something in the kitchen. So running to the kitchen she froze dead when she saw him raise his hand and hit the little girl across the face.
"You little retch! What the hell did you think you were doing? Huh? Answer me you little bitch!" He spat picking her back up and holding her against the far wall. Staring at him she continued to shake.
"Please Jonas I'm sorry!" She cried.
"SORRY?" He yelled. "You don't deserve to breathe!"
"Let her go Jonas," Sam's calming voice rang through the small area. Dropping the little girl instantly, he spun around.
"Sam! What are you doing here?"
"Saving my daughter from a life of pain, and hate,"
"What are you talking about?"
"You yelled at her! You hit her!" She yelled at him.
"Well if you'd discipline the little brat once in a while!" He shot back.
"She doesn't need to be beaten! She know's right from wrong, and if she makes a mistake she'll try and right it!"
"Well tell that to the microwave, the toaster, MY thing's in OUR room, and..."
"GET OUT! Pack you're things Jonas and leave! The engagement is off! I never want to see you again!" She yelled, moving into the kitchen. Spinning around he glared at Xantheia.
"This is you're fault!" He seethed. As he went to grab her, Sam hit him as hard as she could. Sending him back slightly at the force and the unexpectedness of the hit, he looked at her, as she stood in front of Xantheia.
"Get out!"
"Sam!"
"NOW!" She yelled. Nodding he left. And that was that. Well or at least she thought! Turning to her daughter Sam crouched enough to pick her up. Gripping her mother tightly Xantheia started crying.
"I'm sorry! I didn't..."
"Shh, Xan it's ok."
"I'm sorry mummy! I didn't want to break you up I swear! But he hurt me, so I hurt his things!" She sobbed.
"Angel come on," she whispered sitting her daughter on the bench, while she got the first aid kit from above the fridge.
Sighing Sam shook her head. It had been two weeks now since Jonas had finally left her and Xantheia alone. She'd been thinking about Jon more and more, and for some reason she was starting to think he was alive! She hated her self for it, but she couldn't help it! Shaking her head yet again she needed to clear her mind. Grabbing her jacket she put it on closed and locked her office door and looked at her secretary.
"Rebekah, I'm going on an early lunch,"
"Yes Ma'am!" Rebekah smiled at her, before lowering her head and working on the paperwork that was stacking up. Rubbing her face Sam smiled gently and headed out to the park just across the way.
"Charlie, come on!" The man stated. Looking up the boy laughed, before throwing the ball at him.
"Where is mum and dad?"
"Getting you food, garbage bags!" He smiled.
"Kawalsky!" He laughed.
"What they are!" He smiled throwing the ball back to the seven year old.
"I have school photo's tomorrow! Dad said that he leave's tomorrow night, do you leave then too Kawalsky?"
"I leave tonight little buddy,"
"Is this why dad let me have today off school?"
"It most certainly is!" He grinned at the boy and turned slightly, as Charlie started running around him.
"Charlie?!" A gasp came from behind Kawalsky, which got both man and boy to stop and look at the owner. Widening his eyes Kawalsky grinned.
"Holy Hannah! Sammie!" He laughed, moving to her and hugging her tightly.
"What are you doing in DC?" She grinned, kissing his cheek.
"Family day," he smiled. "Sam I'd like you to meet Charlie. Charlie this is Sam, an old friend of mine." He stated turning to the boy. Smiling Sam crouched down, and extended her hand.
"Pleased to meet you Charlie," she smiled at him. Grinning at her he shook her hand strongly for a seven year old.
"Kawalsky,"
"Yeah little buddy?"
"Can I go play over there until mum and dad get back?"
"Sure thing," he smiled, and as Sam stood they watched him run over to the equipment and start playing with the other children.
"Well there goes that question," she smiled at him.
"What question?"
"Is he yours," laughing he shook his head.
"Nah he belongs to..."
"Charlie, where's Charles?"
"On the equipment Sara! Oh Sara I want you to meet an old friend of mine. Sara, Sam. Sam, Sara."
"Pleasure," Sam smiled. Nodding Sara looked her up and down before forcing a slight smile and shaking her hand.
"I'll go get Charles, Jack's on his way back."
"Sure thing."
"Oh you're about to eat. I'll let you."
"You sure?"
"Yeah, I need to grab a few things anyway." She smiled at him.
"Ok. Well it was great seeing you again! It's been too long!"
"Yeah it has!"
"Nice uniform by the way!" He smirked. Smiling she rolled her eyes at him.
"Thanks,"
"When did you join?"
"When Xan was two, so about eight years ago now,"
"Xan?"
"My daughter," she stated watching him, as realisation dawned on him his eyes widened.
"You're father let you keep her?"
"Couldn't stop me, I was only twenty but when he held her he was smitten," she smirked.
"I can imagine!"
"Anyway I better go."
"Ok, well take care of your self yeah?"
"Always Charlie, always," she smiled hugged him tightly as Sara came back with Charles, smiled at the boy then left. Walking away she couldn't help the smirk and the small shake of her head. She had actually thought Charlie had a child! Wow she must have changed! As she moved across the park, and headed for the small corner shop she always went to she smiled at the back of the man in front of her.
As the women behind the counter looked past the undecided man, she grinned at her.
"SAM!" She exclaimed. Moving out from behind the counter Sam smiled at her and enveloped her in a tight hug.
"How are you today Shan?"
"I'm good! How are you? You're looking so much better these days! How is Xantheia?"
"Good on both accounts. Yeah well it's just the two of us again, so."
"Oh that's too bad!"
"I think he's ready," Sam whispered smirking while nodding to the man in front of her. Grinning Shan quickly moved back behind the counter before he turned.
"Sorry sir, what would you like?"
"I'll take one cheese, one with the lot, one with ham and tomato, and one with... oh make it two with the lot." He stated. Smiling she nodded and moved about making his sandwiches. No sooner had she finished and he paid, he got to the door when Sam put in her order. Freezing on his spot he turned to stare at the back of the blonde, who was leaning on the counter talking away to the woman.
"Same today Sam?"
"What have you got Shan?"
"The ham's yesterdays, the cheese is today's, um tomato is fresh, chicken I cooked this morning?" She stated. Smiling Sam nodded.
"Chicken, cheese, tomato, and,"
"Lettuce, with a squirt of mayonnaise, and some soya sauce, right?"
"You're good Shan!" She smirked.
"You are just my easiest costumer to please Sam! All those idiots you work with! I swear when I see them coming I usually run for Frank!" Laughing Sam nodded.
"Yeah some aren't that bright!"
"Some? You give them a lot of credit! Take that guy that was just in here!"
"Shan!" She laughed. "He's probably outside listening!"
"So it's my shop!" She huffed but carried on nevertheless. "Anyway he came in asked for cheese with something I've never heard of before, went off because we don't have it, then settled for what normal people eat!"
"Maybe he's not from here Shan," Sam smiled at her, as she got her money out. Taking the five dollar bill Shan punched it into the register and ended up giving her four back.
"But you see! That's just my point!"
"Shan I'm not paying one dollar for this!"
"Just take it Sam! You come in every day! And sometimes on Saturdays with the angel. Two dollars isn't going to hurt me!"
"It will if you keep doing it!"
"Ok I'll over charge you next time!" Laughing Sam nodded.
"I'm sure you will!"
"Have a good day Sam!" Shan smiled at her.
"You too and say hi to Frank for me!"
"Will do!" And with that Sam walked out with her head down, while unwrapping the roll that was in the paper bag. Watching her he swallowed.
'Look up,' he thought to him self. He had to see her! Charlie, Lou, and Chloe had told him she'd just disappeared, and now? Was this her? It sounded like her, smelled like her if he was correct, but she wasn't looking up! And then she was gone.
Sighing Jack shook his head and headed back to Kawalsky, Charlie and Sara. He loved his son with his whole being, but couldn't help the what if's that plagued his mind every night and day since his return. Sam had pulled him through the worst of his torture only to find out she was gone and severed all ties with their mutual friends.
So one night he'd gone out got blind drunk and ended up waking next to Sara. He couldn't remember much of the night, or anything for that matter! All he knew was that eight months later she was giving birth to Charlie. So he married her, with the disapproval of his mother and Debbie. She glared at him the whole time and even told him in front of Sara that he was making a mistake.
That he was giving up the life he once had and settling. He'd snapped back with he was happy and going to be a father! He wrapped his arm around Sara protectively but knew deep down Debbie was right. He did love Sara but if he saw Sam again he'd get a divorce processed within seconds to be with her.
So sighing he went back to his family, and a shamble of a marriage. He smiled at his son and that was all he remembered.
Slumping behind her desk Sam picked up the file that had been thrust into her chest upon entering the building. Being told to read it as he was her new commanding officer. Not understanding she went to the general to ask for something more.
"Captain Carter you're the best damned officer I have! I was given you two years ago on a contract that could take you at any time to any location in the world."
"Yes sir,"
"Well here it is. Two years later and you're being transferred back to Colorado."
"What?" She gasped. "Sorry sir," she quickly added and bowed her head.
"It's alright Captain I understand this comes as a shock."
"Yes sir!"
"I took the liberty to search the schools in the area Captain. I have re-enrolled Xantheia into the school she was previously at. She will start there after summer."
"Thank you sir, I think," she muttered still reeling in on the information.
"That's alright. You still have the rest of this month here Captain. So I suggest you start getting everything in order."
"Yes sir!"
"Dismissed!"
So here she was once again alone in her office. She'd gotten the news she was transferring but to were? Peterson? Cheyenne again? They were the only two bases she knew the air force had in Colorado Springs. But wait he said Colorado. But why would he enroll Xan in her old school in the Springs? She thought. Sighing she shook her head and opened the file.
Eyes widening she could have fainted. She was staring at his photo. The same photo she had in a box in her cupboard. She'd never told Xantheia about her father. She'd asked her once if she had a father and that was it. She never asked anything else. Not what his name was not what he does, nothing.
"Holy HANNAH!" She stated picking up the file and staring at the photo. It couldn't be! He was dead! He was declared dead! Placing it hastily back on the table she flicked through the file. There was not one mention about that mission, there was nothing! There was his time in Iraq, and him being a POW but nothing else. That just wasn't possible.
Realising she had his blacked out file she made it her goal to get his full file when she got to the Springs. She could read it all then. She'd have the highest clearance in military history!