Glory of God: Bet Settled
A/N: My sincerest apologies for the lateness of this last chapter. I had a bad case of writers block coupled with a stubborn laptop. I want to thank my lady friend for helping me find a direction. Please enjoy and stay tuned for the long awaited date.
1912hrs: O'Malley's...
George and Jacob walked into the bar & grill finding it somewhat crowded. They eventfully found a small table to sit at, waiting for their regular waitress to come over. "Hey boys haven't seen you here in a while…missed you," Flo said, turning her attention to Jacob.
"Hey sexy ain't seen you around for a long while. Still looking for the new Mrs. Carter?" She flirts with him. George just smiles stifling a laugh. "I can apply." Flo finished blowing a bubble from her gum.
"Well, I've been around here and there on secret missions. Top secret type of things… hush-hush!" Jacob replied. "I can bring you an application next time I come Flo." He adds smirking.
"I'll hold you to that Jake. That means not going over to Sullivan's. They will never take care of you like I do here gorgeous.
"You can count on that beautiful, they burn the streak and call them well done." He flirts back. "Jake you couldn't be more right. You go once and never go back." Flo retorted the punch line. "Tell you what, give me your number and I'll call." He said making his mind up.
'Every time we come she hits on you and you flirt back." Selmak chides him again. 'Be quiet old lady, let me have my fun.' Jacob replies back.
"So do you want your regular orders or a surprise?" Flo asked the two.
George looked at his friend who nodded. "Yes Flo, our regulars will be fine." He responded to the well-endowed waitress.
"I'll leave my number on the top of the check honey." she walking away swaying her hips.
They both laugh at her comment. "When you got it, you got it!" Jacob replies sarcastically. 'No I think you lost it years ago old man.' Selmak taunted him. 'Flo thinks differently old woman...!'
"I think she feels sorry for you old friend…or desperate." George verbally kidded him.
"No George, it's my bald head. Women can't resist it!" he informed his friend.
"Then what's my problem? I have a bald head like you." George asked with a laugh taking a drink of his beer.
"The difference is I'm just better looking than you George… sorry about your luck!" Jacob says downing his beer. "You did marry a fine woman all because of your bald head." George said with a boisterous laugh.
"What did Colonel O'Riley say about bald heads? I forgot it's been so long ago." Jacob asked taking a swig of beer.
"I believe he said and I quote 'this is not a bald head, it is a solar panel for a sex machine!" George said between laughs. "I remember now. He also said 'I will shower you with gifts with the money I save not buying shampoo. You're beautiful, and that's not just the Rogaine talking." He added.
Then George leaned in asking "Want to buff me?" with a huge laugh. Jacob matched it with one of his own.
When they stopped laughing George got serious. "You know, to this day I remember him leaving to come back stateside.
"He told us to watch our backs and hair lines. This country will make an ape go bald. Then he was gone." Jacob replied.
"What ever happened to him George?" he asked waving over Flo for refills.
"He died three years ago, heart attack. His wife passed 2 year prior." George told him with sorrow. "His grandson is on one of my teams. That's how I knew. O'Riley had a real nice funeral." He finished.
"I wish I could have been there. Let's toast to baldness and Colonel O'Riley!" Jacob said to which George agreed. They clinked their beers and downed them slamming then on the table.
Flo walked up with their orders noticing the toast. "Who are you toasting guys? …war buddy or old memory." She asked placing their food before them.
"…a former commanding officer, great leader." Jacob informed her.
She just smiled responding with "He must have been really patient to put up with you two." Then she left to get refills. The two friends began to eat talking about their deceased commanding officer.
Halfway through the dinner George puts his utensils down looking at his friend. "…out with it Jacob. I know something is bothering you about your daughter's date." He said seriously.
Jacob puts his fork down letting out a short sigh. "I know Colonel O'Neill is an excellent officer. Jack maybe a pain in the ass at times. The thing is that most everyone respects him…hell they would follow Jack to hell and back. I respect Colonel O'Neill greatly. He's taken care of my Sammy countless times." Jacob answered sincerely.
"But you're unsure of Jack 'The Man', am I right?" George inferred from Jacob's statement.
"When I talked to him Jack had his own doubts about himself. He didn't think he was good enough for her. I agreed with him because no one will ever be good enough for my Sammy. Is that wrong of me George?" He stated honestly.
"I'm not going to lie to you Jacob. Jack has plenty of baggage and doubts about himself." George started pausing for a drink of beer. "Did you know he was sent on a suicide mission by the pin heads in D.C.?" he asked.
"You mean that Jack wasn't meant to come back on that trip? Did he do it voluntarily?" Jacob asked in disbelief.
George sighed then rubbed his face. "I'll back track a bit. You remember what little he told you about his son dying?"
Jacob thought briefly then answered. "He only told me that Charlie died, not how. I never pressed further because Sammy gave me the look." He finished with a half smile.
"His son found Jack's personnel sidearm and shot himself by accident. That boy was his life." George told his friend.
"So that's why he went on the suicide mission, guilt and depression." Jacob responds shocked at the revelation, nodding in understanding.
His friend nods then continues. "The bad part is that Jack was going to quit black ops and take a training job at Peterson. His marriage was on the rocks in a bad way. Sara and Jack were going to try and fix it. The day Charlie shot himself put an end to their reconciliation." George informed Jacob.
"What happened between Charlie's death and Jack's return?" Jacob asked starting to eat his meal again.
"Daniel saved his life. He did both literally and figuratively. In short, Daniel convinced Colonel O'Neill that he still had a reason to live." George answered then taking a bite of his steak.
"Don't do that George, I hate when you leave me hanging. What did Daniel say to Jack? It had to be really good." Jacob asked with a fake huff.
George smirked at his friend's outburst. "He told Jack to live on for Charlie. His son's memory would live within him."
Jacob sat back in his chair with a knowing look. "You know…that's what Debra's father told me. I wasn't suicidal or anything. He did of course add Mark and Samantha. That one statement carried me through a lot."
George nodded remembering what his friend went through. It wasn't an easy time for the Carters back then he remembers. Samantha spent a couple summers with Loretta and him cementing a daughter like relationship. Mark however went his own way blaming Jacob and the Air Force for their mother's death.
Jacob rubbed his brow then continued. "Sammy doesn't carry as much baggage as Jack but…" He paused contemplating if he should tell his friend of many years. George just waited patiently for Jacob to continue. Whatever he had to say would be important and confidential.
"…she acted out in many ways after her mother's death. I came home one night to plates breaking. Samantha tried to fill in for her mom. She did dishes, cook, cleaned amongst other things." He chuckled.
"Samantha was standing there in a pile of broken dishes and bowls giving Mark a death glare. He looked at me with a plea for help." He continued. "I, being the military father, forgot to change hats. I addressed Samantha as if she was an airman instead of my daughter. That set her off even more." He explained taking a swig of beer.
George sat there listening to his friend tell the story. He knew it already because Sam told his wife and him one day. Sam confided in the two of them a lot over the years. When Loretta died it hit Samantha hard, almost like losing another mother.
"Sam went into a tirade over not being appreciated for what she was doing for the two of us. She then told us to cook our own damn dinner and ran to her bedroom in a fit of tears." He said with a hint of sadness. "Mark and me cleaned up the mess then ordered pizza. I went into her room finding her crying into a pillow. Samantha was so lost that I had no idea what to do. Hell..! I was lost. I put her in counseling hoping it would help. Mark flat out refused but Samantha readily agreed to it." Jacob told George.
"Did it help her as you hoped?" George asked, already knowing the answer.
"It helped more than I dreamed of until her teenage years. You know about that old friend. Remember her first vehicle? It was a cherry red Mustang convertible. She worked so hard to make money it wasn't funny. Once Sam got it there were many repairs needing to be done. She got it running so good that Marks friends would bring their cars to her for repairs. I swear that's where Sam got her love of speed at. The local police called her the Blond Blur. " He laughed with George joining him.
"I remember that as if it was yesterday. Mark ranted to Loretta and me many times. He swore they just came over to see her." George added. Jacob just nodded with a smile then changed directions.
"She watched every episode of Star Trek she could just to get a glimpse of space. That's what got her interested in NASA. Then came Star Wars, Sam was all over that movie series. She begged me for every toy made, she has two Millennium Falcons and the Death Star packed away somewhere." He added with a smirk.
"We went to the movie house (That's what Texans call movie theaters) at least twice for each movie. Loretta and I knew Star Wars forwards and backwards, hell I still do." George replied with a belly laugh then continued. "When the prequels came out Samantha dragged us to each one of those too." He added.
"Did she make you dress up in costumes?" Jacob asked knowing full well she did.
"Not only me but all of SG-1 and she picked. I was lucky and got Obi One Kenobi. Sam chose Han Solo for Jack, Luke Skywalker for Daniel, Chewbacca for Teal'c and Princess Leia for herself."Jacob burst out laughing at the image before him. Selmak did as well causing even more laughter. George joined in and they got weird looks from the surrounding tables.
"That was the most fun I had in a long time. We won the Best Group award too. I believe that Jack and Sam came in second for best Han Solo & Princess Leia." George said with a smile.
"Do you have pictures of that? Selmak and I would love to see them." He asked.
"Remind me when we get back to base. I have a few extras lying around." George answered.
Jacob nodded then spoke getting serious again. "George, did you know she refused to apply for college once?" he asked.
"Samantha refused to apply for college, never in a million years? You're pulling my leg Jake!" George asked, stunned.
Jacob nodded then continued. "Samantha had a few dates here and there. Nothing really serious…I thought." George's curiosity peaked at this revelation. Sam never talked about boys around them. It was mostly space and mechanics.
"I came home one day finding a boy leaving her room. She was 16 at the time and ready to graduate early. Needless to say I didn't take it lightly."
George was stunned at this.
"His name was Cavanaugh Westley. He walked out zipping up his fly calling my Sammy a teasing bitch. Before I could say anything he bumps into me. Then my lovely daughter opens her door buttoning up her blouse." Jacob said motioning for another round from Flo.
"I sat them both down and called the boy's parents. When they showed up I was beyond pissed." He remembered clearly.
"They didn't seem to care at all. Mr. Westly's only concern was his son's future, not whether or not anything happened. I blew it and threw them out forbidding Sam from seeing him again. Of course she tried to defend the boy." Jacob took the fresh beer.
"His parents didn't care what he was up to?" George asked in disbelief.
"No they didn't. Sam sat there pissed at me. She told me in front of his parents nothing happened because she got scared. Cavanaugh did try and pressure her but she backed out. It was his idea, not mine. She told me." Jacob paused taking in his thoughts.
"Sammy pointed out sarcastically that she only took off her blouse. The little bastard tried to remove her tank top and that's what scared her. I wanted to strangle him and his father. The mother didn't say a word either." Jacob shook his head in disgust.
"That's when I threw them out despite Sammy's protest. I had a long talk with her afterwards. She threatened not to attend the Air Force Academy. I almost had a heart attack George on both accounts. The academy accepted her and now Samantha didn't want to go. My head was ready to explode George! First Sam almost losing her virginity to that pricks son…" he pauses shuddering his next words. "…Then she refuses to go to the academy!" Jacob finished.
George just chuckled at his friend. Having a teenage daughter smart as Sammy was never going to be a picnic. Many a time Jacob would rant and rave about her speeding tickets and talk of space. That's when he recommended space camp. Jacob's problems were solved for a short time.
"Sammy apologized three days later about the whole incident. She said that going to space was still in her dreams." Jacob told George with a smile then continued.
"Now, I did get a call from Mr. Westly a week after Sammy left for Space camp. He said that his sons new convertible Camaro was vandalized. The man had the audacity to accuse my sweet little innocent daughter. Do you believe that?" He asked George.
"Samantha vandalizes the prick of a son's car…never!" he answered back with a laugh.
Jacob smiled back with a belly laugh. "Someone keyed the little bastard's car writing 'Revenge is a BITCH' on the hood and doors. I'm not saying she did it but I wouldn't put it past her. I never said a word to her about that." He finished smiling wider.
George let out a big laugh getting more stares from other tables but didn't care. "Oh, I have no doubt she did it Jake. How Samantha pulled it off is something I would love to know." He said enjoying the story.
"After that little episode she got so buried in pursuing a career in the Air Force it wasn't funny. Sam was out to prove herself to me. I told her that I would always be proud of her no matter what. That wasn't good enough. Sam said she was going to space period! So you can imagine my surprise when she declined a spot at NASA." Jacobs added.
"I really wanted to clue you in Jake, classified sucks sometimes." George answered back.
"I know…but my Sammy exceeded her dreams 10 fold. Now I just hope she fulfills her last dream... getting married to a man that will love and care for her. Not take advantage of her like Jonas and Pete did." Jacob said with hope.
"Jacob, the two of them balance each other out. I don't think either of them would be her today without the other. They are each other's rock. They both have baggage but they will weather the storms that comes their way." He reassured his friend.
"I've seen them in action many a time. They care deeply for one another. That's obvious even to an old war horse like me. I think they even have wordless conversations with their eyes alone." Jacob added.
"That's what makes them a great team…all of them for that fact." George replied in all seriousness.
Jacob smiled an evil grin then finished his beer. "I have a great idea for Jack." He said with a smirk.
"Oh, you do! I know that smirk. It only comes out when you have a mean idea." George said then went on. "Deal me in on your prank for Jack. I've wanted to get back at him for a long time." He answered.
"Here's what we do my partner in pranks. We create two books of advice for him. The first one 'How I have Screwed Up so you don't'. We can add silly advice like buying her a new motorcycle and such." Jacob added for fun.
"The next book can be titled 'SO you Screwed up and don't know what to do? With a note saying learn from us son." George replied with laughter.
Once they get over the bout of laughter George gets serious once again. "Jacob, they are each other's rock. I have no doubt that they are sane because of that." George said with conviction.
"So they'll make it to hell and back. Might have a few war scars like us but they'll do just fine." Jacob confirmed.
"God willing and if Jack follows our advice that is!" George added for good measure.
"I hope your right my friend…I'd hate to have to hurt the poor man." Jacob smirked then motioned Flo over.
"What do you want handsome?" she said in a seductive voice. "The check for one… The other, your number will do." He said smiling. "Sure thing honey..." She replied popping a bubblegum bubble. "…I'll be right back." Flo left swaying her hips for Jacob.
"You know my dear friend, baldness has it advantages'!" George said with a smirk. "Yes it does George, yes it does!" Jacob answered raising his beer drinking the last of his drink.
'Jacob, you're such a man!' Selmak replied with a laugh.