Girls' Day Out - Chapter 2

Disclaimer: I don't own Stargate

AN: Okay, so I had intended chapter 1 as a stand alone, but thanks to your encouraging reviews, I've decided to continue. There'll be three chapters added to the first one - one focusing on each Carolyn, Vala, and Sam. Hope you enjoy this new instalment!

Best wishes and lots of love!

Christine

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Carolyn pulled into the driveway of her father's house. Her eyes took in the freshly mowed lawn and carefully landscaped yard. Her dad had always enjoyed gardening. She put her car into park, and gave herself a quick check in the rear view mirror. She smoothed down the front of her summery dress and reached over to the passenger's seat to pick up her salad.

I wonder if he likes croutons… she thought.

For a moment, she wondered what Cameron was doing, but squashed the thought as soon as it came. No sense thinking about him, she told herself. He's certainly not thinking about you.

She got out of her car and went to the front door and rang the doorbell. There was no answer. She waited a moment longer until the smell of grilled meat found her nose.

She walked to the back yard where she found her dad carefully tending two steaks.

"Carolyn, you made it. I'm so glad," he greeted her.

"Hey, Dad. I brought some salad to go along with dinner" she walked over to the patio and set the bowl down on the outdoor table.

"Thanks. Don't you look nice. Is that a new dress?"

"Yeah. Sam and Vala and I had a girls' day out today. Shopping in the morning and Sex and the City this afternoon. I just came from there."

"I hope you didn't leave early on my account," Hank asked.

"No, we didn't make plans for after the movie. I think Sam was planning on calling Jack and Vala wanted to go back to the base to visit- um, never mind," she finished awkwardly. She didn't know how he felt about the two of them forming a relationship while on the same team.

"I assume you were going to say she's going to visit Daniel," Hank said with a smile. "Relax, they're both civilians. They can do what they want. Besides, I think they're good for each other."

"I think so too," Carolyn agreed.

"How do you take your steak?" Hank asked.

"Well done. And lots of salt and pepper too."

Hank raised his eyebrows. "Doesn't sound like something most doctors would recommend."

"It's all about moderation. Steak is the only thing I add salt too," she explained.

"Did you remember to change the o-"

"Yes, Dad," Carolyn rolled her eyes.

"I hope you didn't take it to that place on Third Street. I wouldn't trust them as far as I could throw them."

"I took it to Wal-Mart."

"Good, good."

Hank finished cooking their steaks, then put them on plates and sat down at the table. He helped himself to some salad. "What would you like to drink?"

"A diet soda if you have one."

"I do. Just a minute." He went inside and grabbed two cans of diet coke. He didn't tell her that he never had diet drinks in the house until he found out it was her favourite. He also brought out two glasses with ice.

"Dad, this steak is delicious," Carolyn said around a mouthful.

"I'm glad you like it. It's about the only thing I can cook," he admitted.

Carolyn cleared her throat. "So, have you talked to Mom lately?"

"Actually, yes. Just last night in fact - the second time we've spoken since we had dinner that night."

"That's good," Carolyn said. She couldn't help the relief she felt. She knew they still loved each other. Despite the fact that she was now 30, the child in her secretly wished they would get back together, or at least make amends.

"What about you," Hank asked. "Anyone special?"

"Not at the moment, no." Not since last week when you asked me, she added to herself.

"Oh well. I'm sure you'll find someone soon."

"Dad, you know there's nothing wrong with me being single. I've already been down the marriage road once."

"I know. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to pry. Do you ever talk to him?" he asked, meaning her ex-husband.

"No. Besides, he's seeing someone else now. I don't want to interfere with that."

And that's when it hit her: everyone was in a relationship except her. Her dad was in a relationship of sorts with her mother, or at least working on it. Her ex-husband had moved on; Sam was as good as married; anyone could see Vala and Daniel belonged together; and she was left alone with feelings for a guy whose heart obviously belonged to someone else.

It had been so great in the beginning. They'd flirted heavily, attracted to each other from their first meeting. They hadn't tried to hide their feelings. She knew he was going to ask her out any day. Then he'd gone to his high school reunion and avoided her ever since. She found out about his new girlfriend from Vala.

Life was really a pain sometimes.

"Carolyn, are you okay? I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said anything," he said, believing her expression was due to thoughts of her ex-husband with someone else.

"No, I'm fine, I just-" Carolyn shook her head slightly. "More salad?"

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Carolyn shifted her feet in the elevator. Her high-heeled sandals looked stunning on her feet, but they were not made for long-term use. She was alone in the elevator, and the base was quiet. With a quick glance at the security camera, she slipped out of her sandals and sighed in relief as her bare feet pressed against the cool cement floor. All thoughts of germs and various foot ailments moved to the back on her mind.

The elevator came to a stop, and she walked quickly to her office. After dinner with her dad, she'd remembered some paperwork she needed to sign before the weekend was over.

She sat down at her desk and found what she was looking for. She signed her name in all the appropriate places and then noticed she was getting goose bumps from the cold floor. Time to put her shoes back on. But where-

"Looking for these?"

Carolyn started in surprise. Cameron was standing in her doorway, leaning on the door jamb. Dangling from his outstretched hand were her sandals.

"Oh, um, yes actually, I was," Carolyn moved to stand up, but he waved her back in her seat.

"Trust me, Cinderella, the less personal contact with this floor, the better," he explained. He walked over to her and kneeled on the floor. "Allow me."

He slid one shoe onto her right foot and gently fastened the tiny clasp. "Your toes are cold," he said and covered them with his hand for a moment. Then he put on her second shoe and did the same. "That better?" he asked, looking into her eyes.

"Yes."

He didn't move from his spot. He just kept looking at her. Carolyn felt a blush rising to her cheeks. She cleared her throat. "I thought you'd be in Kansas this weekend now that you have a couple days off."

Cameron had the decency to look away. "Yeah, well, no. Turns out those long distance things don't really work. Besides, too much time had passed. I guess I finally realized that I shouldn't be hanging on to something that never really existed in the first place. And that if I didn't let go of the past, I'd be missing out on a really amazing future and spending the rest of my life in regret." He looked up at her again. "I'm sorry," he said. "I hope it's not too late."

Carolyn made a point of looking at her watch. "I suppose it isn't midnight yet," she offered.

Cameron stood up and held out his hand. "Would you do me the honour of joining me for dinner?"

"I just ate," she said, but she took his hand and stood up anyway. "I could go for some coffee and desert though," she watched him for his reaction. She got a big smile.

"Sounds like a plan," he said. He gripped her hand tighter. "I know just the spot," he winked. "But I'm not promising to have you home before midnight." He kept hold of her hand as they rode the elevator to the first floor.

When they reached the top, Carolyn's cell phone rang. She looked at the caller id, then stuck the phone back in her purse.

"Sure you don't want to take that?" Cameron asked.

"Yeah," Carolyn said and put her hand back in his. "It can wait."