A/N: I cannot believe that it has been so very long since I have updated this story. My apologies. I could list all of my excuses but I won't. Thank You to my wonderful new beta, Amara, for all of her help! I hope you enjoy. -S
How puzzling all these changes are! I'm never sure what I'm going to be, from one minute to another! -Alice, Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
"Could we drive, Jack?"
When she'd asked, Sam had known his answer before he'd spoken it but still smiled at his acquiescence. Her smile only broadened as she thought about the upcoming drive and the week ahead. She was really looking forward to the time she would have with her guys but, more than that, she desperately needed this drive to the cabin and the time it would allow her alone with Jack.
He had smiled at her question and reveled in the idea of spending the extra time alone together. They had decided to leave early the next morning so when Sam had finished her coffee, Jack took her back to her place so that she could pack.
First he called Hammond to extend their leave because of the drive, then he called Daniel while Sam was getting ready to go and made plans for he and Teal'c to drive to the cabin separately. Both friends were in agreement with Jack that Sam needed some more time alone and that she especially needed some time alone with him. So the guys were set to leave a day after Jack and Sam. Breaking the 16-hour drive into two legs, they'd be able to give the "couple" almost three days alone together. Three days to discuss, dissect, and decide on the best plan for the near future.
Twenty minutes later, they stood on Sam's front porch, the warmth of Jack's body sending chills up her spine as he stood close behind her watching as she put her key in the lock. She turned to look at him as she opened the door, their eyes locking. They were still standing there in her doorway several moments later when Jack broke the silence and asked, "Do you want me to stay and we can go back to my place for the night, or do you want me to go and come back to pick you up in the morning?"
His question had no innuendo behind it, it was what it was. Which would be more convenient was all that he was asking. God, she loved that about him. She couldn't believe how many times since they'd been introduced so many years ago that Jack had placed her needs ahead of his own and sometimes everyone else's.
"I really want to stay with you tonight," she said almost shyly, "but I think I should take a little time to myself. I have a lot to think about before we leave."
He gave her an understanding nod then leaned in to lay a slight kiss on her forehead. "Until tomorrow, then," he said smiling down on her, "0700?"
"0700"
He started back down the steps.
"Jack!" He spun around quickly at the urgency in her voice to see her standing, almost huddling in the doorway, arms wrapped tight around her middle as if warning the world to stay at bay. "Thank you."
His smile stayed with her as she backed into the house and closed the door.
She took her time gathering her things but it still only took her about an hour to get her bag ready. After placing it by the door, Sam turned to look into her empty living room and sighed. She missed him already.
She shook her head trying to focus on what else needed to be done before they left tomorrow. People she didn't even know had been bringing her food all week and with this trip, she was going to have to freeze most of what was in her refrigerator. She put the kettle on and sighed as she turned to face the offending appliance. As she reached for the door, she noticed a note was taped to it. She immediately recognized the handwriting and smiled.
Sam,
I remember the ungodly amount of food that I had in my apartment after Sha're's funeral so I figured I'd help you out. Cassie took some things back to school with her yesterday and Teal'c and I helped ourselves to dinner. The leftovers are in the freezer. Don't worry, I remembered to label them! Go drink your tea, have a cookie, and relax!
Love,
Daniel
She made her tea and grabbed a cookie from the small plate Daniel had left on the counter and smiled. She didn't know why God had blessed her with these three amazing men, but she couldn't put her gratitude into words.
She was closer to Daniel than she'd ever been to her real brother, even after they'd reconciled. She could tell Daniel anything and she knew he'd always be honest with her, even if she didn't want him to be.
Teal'c was the overprotective big brother she never knew she always wanted, a protector and confidant, the keeper of her greatest secrets. And, despite his stoicism, he was one of the most perceptive and understanding people she had ever known. In fact, she was pretty sure that Teal'c was the first one to realize just how deep a connection she felt with her then-Colonel.
She settled herself on the sofa with a soft sigh. Her week had been such a whirlwind she could hardly remember where one thing ended and other began. Her anticipation of the day to come pushed her mind back to the conversation that had set things in motion.
She'd been called off-world unexpectedly to do a little recon with SG-3. They'd discovered that P4C-997 had most of the qualifications for a possible new off-world base and needed to confirm that no angry natives were going to surprise them. Instead, they were attacked by some of the local wildlife and had ended up quarantined upon returning.
She'd called Pete from the infirmary as soon as she'd cleared her post-mission physical and told him she'd be about an hour later than she'd originally thought. He'd seemed okay and was very understanding considering it was the third time in as many weeks that she'd been delayed or unable to meet him because of work.
Of course, keeping to true SGC style, things did not go according to plan.
Colonel Reynolds had a reaction to the bite he'd gotten from one of the creatures on 997. This meant that everyone who'd been in contact with one of the animals on the planet had to remain under observation indefinitely. She'd been scratched by one of the dog/wolf/fox-like things and that meant that she'd been quarantined, unable to leave isolation and unable to call Pete and explain.
When she was released from the infirmary, she called Pete first thing.
"Pete, I'm sorry."
"I know." His reply was flat. There was no emotion behind it at all. She'd expected him to be angry with her and now she was at a loss as to what to do next.
"Can we do something tonight?"
"No." Again his response held no emotion.
"Are you okay? You don't sound like yourself."
"Does it really matter, Sam? I mean in the whole fighting aliens, saving the planet scheme of things do my feelings really matter?" She finally heard a slight edge creep into his voice.
"Pete, of course they matter. I love you."
"Do you love me enough to give it all up?"
"What?!" She couldn't hide her surprise and her shock at the question.
"The SGC, going out in the field, your team, can you choose between all of that and me, not that I would ask you to, but if you have to think about it Sam, if you can't say with 100 percent certainty that it wouldn't be a choice, then we have a problem."
"Pete, I..."
"Look, I have to head to Denver for the week. We can talk when I get back." His voice softened as he added, "I'm really glad you're okay, Sam."
She'd gone home to an empty house that night and lay awake knowing that Pete had been right. She couldn't make that choice. She couldn't choose between Pete and her job, Pete and her team, Pete and the General. Well, she could choose, she just couldn't choose him.
The next weekend, her doubts were confirmed. She'd made up her mind after Pete met her dad and her decision was cemented when he showed her that house.
"You can still have everything you want."
Her dad's words brought a smile to her face as she made her way to her room. When she glimpsed her bag waiting by the front door, she let the events of the last week play out again in her mind.
"I'm going fishing," she said smugly as she turned down the hall, "I'm going fishing."
