The Holiday Inspection
by sg-1fanintn
Chapter 3: Revelation
Author's Note: We know what Jack wants. He wants to be with Sam. But what's Landry's motive? Hmmmm…
"Greetings, campers," O'Neill smiled at General Landry, McKay, Sheppard and Teyla, as he and Sam entered the dining room. "Entertaining afternoon, Hank?"
"Very good, Jack. Dr. McKay's explanations of the scientific research going on here were fascinating. Colonel Sheppard said Colonel Carter was going to give you a tour of some of the infrastructure improvements here. How is your part of the inspection going?"
Taking a seat at the table, Jack motioned Sam to sit beside him. "Hank, I can honestly say that I wouldn't recommend any improvements to the infrastructure I toured today."
Sam kicked him under the table. He jumped slightly before turning to give her a stern look. "And Colonel Carter is apparently reminding me to credit her for the thoroughness of the tour. Is that it, Carter?"
"Whatever you say, sir," she replied, as she tried to gauge Landry's understanding of Jack's comments. He appeared to be absorbing only the words, not the hidden meaning. "I'm going to get some dinner." She rose from the table quickly to prevent the others from seeing the blush that was rising to her face.
Jack studied her departing form carefully as the members of Sam's staff talked among themselves about some dispute over a game score. Landry leaned over to whisper, "Jack, "you might want to tone it down a little."
"Too much?" Jack asked innocently. Landry just chuckled and shook his head.
O'Neill and Landry talked with the Atlantis team throughout dinner, listening to their stories and absorbing the type of information about judgment and character that never truly translates into written reports. As the group broke apart for the evening, Landry called to Sam. "Colonel Carter, might I have a word?"
"Certainly," she smiled.
Landry, Sam and Jack were the only members of the group still in the dining room. Jack stood by, looking somewhat confused. "It's all right, Jack," Landry told him. "I'll bring her right back."
Jack looked at Sam. "See you…?"
"Yes, Jack, I'll see you back at my quarters," she replied, making Landry laugh out loud. After fidgeting uncomfortably for a moment, Jack walked away, turning to send a short wave to the pair as he left.
"He's a changed man," Landry marveled to Carter. "And actually, that's why I wanted to talk with you."
"Really?" she asked, as they walked out to the gate room. Was there something wrong that Jack hadn't told her? She listened attentively as Landry continued to talk.
"Colonel, I guess you've seen through my little scheme by now," he said, as they made their way through the city's quiet corridors.
"Sir?"
"Oh, come on, Sam. I wanted to make sure you and Jack could spend Christmas together, and I'm proud to say that I succeeded."
"Ah, that. Thank you, sir. It's greatly appreciated…but you shouldn't have."
"Don't berate Jack over this, Colonel. He was as surprised to get the call from the White House as you were to get the news from me."
"Well, I must admit…I assumed you cooked up this plan together."
"Nope. Just me," he chuckled. Taking a deep breath, he continued. "Sam, Jack and I have been friends for a long time. You know that."
"You met in flight school, didn't you?"
"That's right. After that, we worked together on several covert missions," he said, "but Carolyn was just a baby, Kim didn't like the long absences and I decided to redirect my career and go the administrative route instead." He stopped walking for a moment, so she did too. He looked at her and said, with emphasis, "Choices. It's all about choices."
Sam wasn't sure what he was trying to tell her, but when he started walking again, she did the same. "Jack made the hard choice, the choice to continue on the front line, making sure threats and insurgencies that threatened our country were quickly squashed." He shook his head. "Even after he married Sara, he kept doing the tough jobs. She seemed to understand, though. She's a tough, independent lady."
"I've only met her once," Sam said, "but that was the impression I had."
"In many ways, you remind me of her," Landry continued. "I hope you don't mind the comparison."
"Not at all, sir. I'm flattered."
"But when that boy died…" Landry's voice trailed off and he shook his head sadly. "Well, it was more than they could take."
"I didn't know him then," she replied, "but Daniel told me Jack was very different than he is now."
"Hmmp! That's certainly an understatement," Landry agreed. "He was a broken man, Sam. You know he accepted that first mission to Abydos because he thought he would be put out of his misery there."
"Yes, sir."
"But instead, his choice to go turned out differently than he expected. Frankly, a lot of people were worried he would take his own life, and of course, now I know that's why he went on the mission. But instead, that job gave him a new purpose. I saw him not long after that, and he seemed to have lifted himself up out of his despair. I didn't see him again until a few months after his transfer to Cheyenne Mountain, and that's when I knew he was going to make it. Oh, he was still dealing with his loss, but he seemed to have turned a corner. I didn't have the clearance for him to share any meaningful info about his new assignment with me, but he told me how important it was, and how he felt he could make a difference there."
"And he has…more times than I can count."
"You're singing to the choir, Colonel. Now that I've read most of SG-1's mission reports, I fully understand the impact of his contributions, and his sacrifices. But then again, I've always been impressed with Jack O'Neill. I figured out early on that while most people try to impress everyone, Jack's just Jack—feigning disinterest and being sarcastic. But you know, his mind never stops working…and when all is said and done…he almost always figures out the best strategic solution to any given situation. And instead of just protecting his country, he—well, SG-1—have saved the world multiple times."
"He's pretty remarkable, sir," she replied, her gaze focused on the floor to mask her smile.
"So are you, Colonel," Landry said. "And that's what I'm trying to tell you."
"I don't understand."
"Sam, the Stargate program gave Jack a renewed sense of purpose…a challenge, job that had to be done. But after he met you, he had a reason to live."
"Sir…we didn't pursue a personal relationship until General O'Neill announced his reassignment to Washington. Until then…."
He raised his hand. "Colonel, I know. I wasn't making an accusation. I'm well aware that you and Jack always acted honorably. But I also know what you felt for each other…and I'm referring to that."
She felt the blush creeping up into her face. "I…I don't know what to say, General."
Landry stopped and waved his hands as he grew more frustrated. "This isn't going the way I intended. What I'm trying to say, Sam, is thank you for saving my friend."
Saving his friend? She couldn't take credit for that, she thought. "I appreciate the sentiment, General…but it wasn't me. Daniel, Teal'c, Jack and I…we went through a lot together. We sort of became a family."
"I know how close you all are, Sam," he said softly. "But I also know what I know about what really changed Jack's outlook."
"We all helped him move on after losing his family."
Their stroll had taken them out to one of the balconies, and they were standing at the railing, completely alone. "Sam, I didn't intend to tell you this, but to make my point, I guess I will. I saw Jack about four years after he transferred to Cheyenne Mountain. I asked him how things were going, and he told me about this woman he'd met. He said she was the most intelligent, most beautiful, most compassionate person he had ever known. He said he was in love with her, and that she had feelings for him too. I told him that was great, and I was happy for him. And that's when he told me that there was no romance, because she was under his command."
"Ah," she replied.
"I asked him why he didn't transfer, or have her transferred, to get clear of the frat regs. But he said she was one of the finest soldiers with whom he had ever served…and she was critical to the team's work. He said he would just have to wait. He also said he knew his feelings weren't going to change, but he'd have to hope hers were the same when the job was done." He chuckled. "I thought Jack was just being stubborn, or making excuses. I didn't have the clearance at that time to appreciate the type of work you did. Of course, once I was assigned to the SGC, I understood about the importance of the work…and I knew immediately that the woman he told me about was you."
She was taken aback, and couldn't think of a thing to say. Her expression conveyed that to Landry, and he smiled as he continued.
"I've talked too long, Colonel, and I've told you some things I didn't really mean to divulge. But you and Jack made a choice. You waited a long time to be together, and you deserve to be together. I wanted you to have this holiday if there was any way I could swing it. This was my way."
Impulsively, Sam reached out and threw her arms around him. "Thank you so much." Then, startled, she realized what she had done and pulled back quickly. "Oops! Sorry, General."
He chuckled. "I accept your thanks, Colonel. Just do me a favor, and don't tell Jack."
"But…"
"No, no! Jack thinks I'm an insufferable hard-ass, and I want him to keep thinking that. Just tell him I needed to discuss some personnel issues with you. Nope, my satisfaction is in an operation well-executed…and I think I can put this one in my success column. Thanks for listening, Colonel." He turned to the doorway. "Let's see…my quarters are down this corridor to the right?"
"Yes, sir."
He nodded and began moving away. "I'll see you in the morning before I leave…0900 hours…your office…for the native relations report. Good night, Colonel."
"Good night, sir!" she called after him. She leaned back on the railing and pondered the conversation for a few moments. Then, she walked inside and returned to her quarters…and the warm, waiting arms of Jack O'Neill.
