THE HERE AND NOW

CHAPTER 13

"First day back "

Jacob, Selmack, Pete, a cringing Sam and a confused kid watching the spectacle were all in the same room. Aron didn't know the old man, never heard of him and was awkward around him. They told him he was his grandfather. Aaron wasn't too sure and he wasn't the only one uncomfortable with it. Sam could see that Pete, Jacob and Aron were uncomfortable and by the look her father had, he was more uncomfortable then they were.

This is truly awkward Jacob. We should end this.

She wanted this.

So is this your revenge? To alienate her and her family for what she did to you?

I am not here for that Sel. I... You're right.

He thought everything was going to work out, wanted everything to just be fine between them, but things weren't that easy. The boy barely talked to him or took notice, her husband was distant and nervous and Sam just looked on with hesitation and doubt in her eyes. Soon after, she went into the kitchen to make some coffee. Selmak was a master of timing and Jacob followed.

She knew just by his following her that he was leaving and it hurt. Neither had tried, neither of them knew how to deal with this and it had been a miserable failure, a disaster. Pete was unresponsive, Aron was dismissive and she just stood there watching the car crash in slow motion.

"I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry it didn't turn out... better."

"Yeah, me to."

"So… listen, I'll see you around ok?"

"Yeah, ok dad."

A short goodbye and he was off. Pete looked at his wife, an apology ready but she just pushed past him and walked into her study to be alone. She needed to be alone and think about how things had gotten to the point were she couldn't even hold a decent conversation with her dad in front of her husband, where she had to worry what her father or husband would say to one another.

To see the hurt in her father's eyes, her child's confused and annoyed look directed at his so call grandfather. Things had gotten to such a point where she was trapped within the house, within the decisions she had made. She knew she had wanted this some time ago, she wished for this. She had appreciated and to some degree enjoyed it. Now it was different. Everything was changing and the feelings she'd had so many years back began to rear their ugly head.

Yet no soonner did one problem end, than another came back. Her first day back at the SGC was in less than a week. She was going to be a civilian consultant working under her former apprentice. That had to be a first. Taking a deep breath she glanced at her work papers and clenched them in her hand. This was one hurdle she did not want to cross. She wanted to think of a way to tell him, to make him understand; she needed time. She knew she had a week but when the knock at the door presented itself she made a decision.

"Yes?"

"Honey, can I come in?"

"Sure Pete."

"So… how are you?"

She smiled at him and he sat down in one of her chairs. There was a tension there that had been growing in size ever since their marriage. It had been looming but now it had gotten to the point where neither of them liked it.

"Good... Pete... I..."

She handed him the forms. His face showed sings of surprise and annoyance. He was irritated. If anything, she knew how to read people and this one she could read like a book. Taking a deep breath she knew what was coming. The papers slammed on the table followed by his all too familiar out burst of anger.

"So I'm supposed to accept that?"

"Yes."

"And Aron?"

"He is old enough for a baby sitter."

He walked out of her study and her mind drifted to places and dreams that she should no longer be thinking about. She had hoped that when the week ended and her job began everything would at least be all right within her home.

Jack O'Neill, General of the SGA, friend to the Asgard, possibly the only man whom was respected throughout the galaxy, was picking up his friend and April's surrogate grandfather from the house of the woman he once cared for. Behind him his daughter's laughter filled his ears and her questions made him cringe.

"So Dad, why is Grandpa calling us so early?"

"Don't know."

"So we are having dinner with him?"

"I guess."

"Can we have spaghetti?"

"We'll see."

The man in question was standing in the drive way of the house, waiting for him. Jack shook his head. Things had gone badly if Jacob was waiting for them outside. That meant that the get together had been a disaster. Not good. As soon as the car stopped moving April laughed and rushed towards her grandfather. From within the house, Sam looked at the three and wondered just how much things were different at the SGC.

Jacob smiled at Jack who lifted April into his arms. But Jack could tell the old man wasn't looking so good. The night had gone badly, Jack could tell and as a worried April touched his face he smiled at her and Jacob approached him, a sad smile on his face.

"You ok Grandpa?"

"I'm fine kiddo just tired."

"We're having spaghetti for dinner."

He smiled at the little girl and Jack handed the girl to Sam's father who smiled and nodded.

"Bad night?"

"Later, right now I need to make it up to a certain girl."

April smiled and together they walked towards Jack's car. Sam closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Yeah, things were going to be different at the SGC.