Under the microscope - part 8

Here's chapter 8! Enjoy!


J - Carter? You there?

S - Yes sir.

J - Look, I've been a tremendous, stupendous, ridiculous, incredibly stupid ass. I didn't mean what I said and I certainly didn't mean it the way Teal'c says Daniel says you took it.

S - Gossiping about me, are they?

J - They're just trying to help. Okay, so it should have been me doing all the figuring out and grovelling, but as they already told me how you feel, can I just grovel?

S - It's a free country.

J - Pleeaaaase forgive me, Sam. You know me, I just get carried away, like Mickey. I guess that's why she and I are always at each others' throats. And for the record, you've got more balls than the majority of the guys in this mountain and I never meant to imply otherwise. At all.

Pause

S - I'm sorry.

J - For what???

S - I guess I kind of got carried away too. And not just while we were arguing. Truth is you hit a little close to home with the 'letting people walk all over me' thing. It's just that I've had a lot of failed relationships because of falling for ass-holes and then letting them 'walk all over me' and I've been trying so hard to convince myself, you, and everyone else that I'm not like that anymore. It just hurt, that's all.

J - I'm really really really sorry. And I really didn't mean it; you know that, don't you?

S - Yeah, I guess. Thanks for grovelling.

J - Did it help?

S - It helped.

J - So am I forgiven?

S - I guess. Have you forgiven Mickey?

J - Yeah. I was just being the stubborn old jackass I am.

S - You're not a jackass. Or old.

J - Stubborn, though.

S - That, unfortunately, I have to agree with. It's not always a bad thing.

J - It's not?

S - No.

J - Well that's good.

S - Yep.

J - Daniel and Teal'c are having dinner. Wanna join them?

S - Sure.

J - Great. See you in a minute?

S - Yeah.

J - Bye.

*

M - Cat? Cazzy, talk to me! Please!

S - Hey, Mickey.

M - I've been hearing all sorts of rumours! PLEAAAASE tell me they're not true!

S - I guess that would depend on what you heard.

M - The mildest one is that General Hammond gave you and Jack an official warning about that kiss, and the worst is that you two are getting court-martialled! Please tell me it's not true, I'm getting hysterical with worry!

S - We're not getting court-martialled.

M - But?

S - There's gonna be an official investigation.

M - Oh, Cat!

S - I might get reassigned.

M - To where? They need you here!

S - I mean to another team. Or not. I could just work in the labs.

M - But they don't know for sure! They haven't got any proof! I mean, no one saw it apart from SG-1, and none of you have told!

S - They don't need proof. The NID and Kinsey have been waiting for something like this to jump on for years.

M - But, ultimately, they won't be able to prove it. You guys can just deny it. I'm sure Daniel and Teal'c would lie for you.

S - That's not the point. And we couldn't ask them to lie. But we wouldn't have to, cos all anyone's got to do is send a team through the gate to P8Y 252 and ask the guards who asked us to prove we were married!

M - But, the NID, they couldn't do that, could they?

S - They could if they got a presidential order. And Kinsey could probably get that, no problem.

M - Okay, let's just take a deep breath, and think about this logically. So they're gonna find out. Just own up now, and explain to General Hammond that there wasn't any choice. If Jack hadn't kissed you, you'd have been taken hostage by the King and his goons, and then you'd have had a seriously hostile situation on your hands. (a), we'd have had to spend lots of money negotiating to get you out of there, or (b) we'd have had to plan a rescue mission risking the lives of SG personnel who cost a heck of a lot to train, meanwhile (c), you'd have probably been raped by the King, or his goons, or both.

Pause

S - What am I gonna do, Mickey? I'm really scared.

M - Just tell the truth.

S - I can't tell them the fucking truth! I love him!

M - Then maybe you need to get reassigned.

Pause

S - What?

M - Think about it Sam. I know you love being on SG-1, and God knows the guys love having you there with them, but if you really and truly love Jack, should you be working with him in front-line situations?

S - I'm so scared.

M - Don't cry, Cat.

S - I'm not.

M - Yes you are. And you're a terrible liar.

S - Okay, so I'm crying. I'm upset. My career's on the line, here.

M - You want me to come over and give you a hug?

S - Yes please. I don't want to just sit here on my own waiting for someone to tell me I'm fired.

M - They won't fire you Sam. You said yourself – worst case scenario you get reassigned.

S - Whatever, just come round?

M - I'm on my way, sweetheart. See you in a minute.


Dun Dun DUUUN! We're about half way through the story. Hope you're all enjoying it so far!

Beka