As the elevator doors at Level 27 of the base opened, revealing Jack, Daniel, Teal'c, and Tom, Sam stood there, her arms crossed, her jaw clenched with tension. She had been on the verge of a breakdown, her emotions running high as she awaited their arrival. The moment had finally come, and no one moved as the doors opened.
The situation seemed to hang in the balance, and just as the doors threatened to close again, Teal'c extended his hand to prevent them from doing so. He was the first to exit the elevator, his voice solemn as he addressed Sam.
"Colonel Carter," he greeted her, walking towards the corridor. Daniel quickly followed, offering a subdued "Hi Sam," while Tom silently nodded and joined the two men.
Jack remained inside the elevator, aware that this would be a challenging conversation. When the doors almost closed again, Sam stepped in. The elevator began its slow journey to Level 25 after she punched its number, with Sam and Jack inside, alone.
Sam leaned back against one wall, her arms still crossed and her expression icy. In a cold voice, she asked, "Nice ride?"
Jack swallowed hard, feeling the tension in the air.
"Okay, you're angry. I get that," he began.
Sam lifted an eyebrow, her gaze locked on him.
"Me? Why would I be angry, General?" she inquired, her tone laced with sarcasm.
Jack swallowed again, adjusting his P-90 nervously.
"Okay, so not angry. You're pissed," he corrected, trying to find the right words.
The doors opened as the elevator stopped at Level 25, but neither moved. Jack glanced at her, his expression concerned.
"This isn't the best place to have this conversation, Carter," he warned, realizing the intensity of her emotions.
Sam punched the open button to keep the doors from closing and walked out, leaving Jack to follow. She entered her bedroom and turned to face him, the door still open. Jack entered cautiously, leaving the door ajar. Sam slammed it shut with a loud bang.
Suddenly, Jack found himself pressed against the door, Sam's hands gripping his vest tightly. She yelled, demanding answers, her face mixed with anger and frustration.
"WHY, JACK?" she cried out, her voice filled with emotion. "Why did you leave me behind?"
Jack attempted to calm her down, explaining himself.
"You know why, Sam. It was too risky," he said as calmly as he could muster.
Her eyebrows shot up in disbelief.
"Too risky? But not for you?" she retorted her desire to lash out at him evident.
"I'm the CO of this base," Jack replied as if that alone justified his actions.
Sam let her head drop, though she continued to grip his vest tightly.
"Fucking unbelievable," she muttered to herself, her frustration growing.
She finally let go of him and turned her back to him. Jack sighed, knowing she was upset, but he remained firm in his decision. His primary concern was her safety, even if it meant facing her anger.
"I'm sorry, but I had to do it," he said, taking off his gear and placing it on a nearby table. Sam continued to face away from him, and Jack searched for an explanation that might appease her.
Then he noticed her back trembling, and concern washed over him.
"Sam?" he called out, moving closer to her. She pulled away slightly, but he gently grabbed her shoulder and was startled to see her silently crying. Cursing under his breath, he held her in his arms despite her initial protests.
"I'm sorry, Sam," he whispered, kissing her head. The tension between them was palpable, and Jack knew they had much to work through. But he wanted to offer her comfort and reassurance at that moment.
Sam's voice trembled with tears as she whispered, "You could have died," her emotions still raw as she remained in Jack's embrace.
Jack held her tightly, his arms around her, providing comfort and support.
"That is a possibility since the first day we stepped into the Stargate," he pointed out, his tone tinged with the same mixture of concern and frustration.
Sam bit her lip, a plea in her eyes as she said, "Jack, please..."
Jack took a deep breath, his resolve unwavering.
"Okay. But I stand by my decision, Sam. You can hate me all you want. Your safety is more important to me than everything else," he declared, his words carrying the weight of his commitment to her well-being.
However, Sam wasn't ready to let it go.
"However, you didn't extend the same courtesy to me," she accused him, her voice trembling as she pulled away from his embrace.
Jack held his ground, firm in his stance.
"In this case, no. I'm sorry, but the answer is and will ever be a no," he said firmly.
Sam sat on her bed, her trembling hands in her lap.
"That is a very selfish answer, General," she stated.
Jack leaned against the table in her room, his gaze fixed on her.
"I'm very selfish in all matters regarding you," he admitted openly, leaving no room for doubt.
Sam closed her eyes, trying to regain her composure.
"Jesus, Jack... I almost had a heart attack," she confessed, her vulnerability shining through.
Jack crossed his arms, his expression softening.
"Well, for what it's worth, I had the same feeling several times while you were missing," he admitted slowly, revealing the depth of his emotions. "You vanished, left the Air Force, yelled the crap out of me. And all I could think was, 'Is she safe? Does she need me?' So, like I said, I'm very selfish regarding things regarding you. I suppose that has to do with the fact that I'm so damn in love with you," he confessed, his voice filled with sincerity.
Sam bit her lip, her own emotions stirred by his words.
"Your love declarations are the most awkward I've ever heard," she said with a hint of a smile.
Jack couldn't help but smile in return.
"I'll take that as a compliment," he replied, the tension between them gradually easing.
They stood facing each other in the room, their unspoken feelings lingering in the air. Eventually, Sam took a step forward, reaching for Jack's shirt, and kissed him deeply, their connection reaffirming the bond that had always existed between them.
Jack's smile began to emerge as they kissed, and a hint of amusement played on his lips. Sam pulled back slightly, her eyes locking onto his with a puzzled expression.
"What?" she inquired, her voice soft and curious.
Jack gently passed a finger over her lower lip and grinned mischievously.
"You do realize, Colonel, that we are kissing in your room in broad daylight?" he pointed out, his tone filled with amusement.
Sam returned his smile and kissed him again, her response confident and unapologetic.
"Don't worry. I know the CO of this base," she quipped, her eyes sparkling with a playful glint.
Jack, still grinning, took a step closer and pressed her gently against the door.
"Well, then it's an entirely different matter, Colonel," he teased, his tone playful as well. Their connection was evident, and they shared a lighthearted moment of affection, free from the burdens and responsibilities of their roles within the base.
As their intimate moment was interrupted by a knock at Sam's door, their expressions quickly shifted to one of seriousness. Jack reluctantly released Sam, and they both composed themselves in an instant. After a few seconds, Sam opened her door to find Daniel looking visibly uncomfortable.
"Daniel," Sam greeted him, her tone polite but distracted.
Daniel seemed flustered as he began to babble.
"Ahh, sorry to bother you, but I must speak with Jack. It's urgent. It's General Hammond. I mean, General Hammond needs to speak with Jack," he stammered.
Jack stepped out of Sam's room, holding his gear, and flashed a knowing smile.
"It's okay, Daniel. We were discussing the mission. Carter was worried about our safety," he explained, his tone light-hearted.
Sam felt a surge of annoyance but chose to nod in agreement, deciding not to escalate the situation further.
Leaving Sam's room behind, they all headed to the elevator, with Daniel explaining.
"General Hammond called, asking for you. I said you were changing," he informed Jack.
Jack appreciated Daniel's discretion and thanked him with a nod.
"Thanks, Daniel," he said as they approached Jack's office.
Daniel then mentioned, "Teal'c is supervising the interrogations," as they walked into the office.
Sam asked, concerned about their mission's progress, "Any relevant information?"
Daniel shook his head slightly, his expression serious. Jack placed his gear on a chair and grabbed his phone before sitting. He dialed Hammond's number and began speaking with him almost immediately. Daniel and Sam waited patiently while the conversation unfolded.
After a few minutes, Jack hung up and passed a hand over his face, indicating that the news wasn't entirely positive. Concerned, Sam asked, "What is it?"
Jack sighed as he shared the information.
"General Hammond's men apprehended a man from Vlad's team in Nevada. He's in custody and being interrogated. His name is Fyodor."
Sam's face paled, and she repeated the name, "Fyodor?"
Jack nodded grimly.
"They won't be easy on him," he warned.
Daniel interjected with his insights.
"One of Vlad's bodyguards. That is important," he emphasized.
Jack sighed again, acknowledging the significance.
"Yes, if he talks," he said, fully aware of their potential challenges in extracting information from Fyodor. Their mission to uncover Vlad's network had taken a crucial turn, and the stakes were higher than ever.
After successfully capturing Vlad's men, Jack decided to ease the lockdown at SGC before the situation within the base grew tense and potentially rebellious. He ordered the release of non-essential personnel, but only while emphasizing the importance of taking extreme safety precautions outside the base. The well-being of everyone at the facility remained a top priority.
However, Sam wasn't among those released, and she didn't mind. Her home had been destroyed in the explosion, and she felt safer staying at the base, where the security measures were heightened.
With Teal'c leading the way, the interrogations of Vlad's men began to yield valuable information. Teal'c had wisely argued that the prospect of encountering dangerous alien life was a powerful incentive to make Vlad's men talk. They were already aware of the existence of the Stargate, so it made sense to leverage that knowledge for their benefit.
Jack's decision to allow the use of the Stargate in the interrogations had proven to be the right choice. The information gained was a significant step in the ongoing efforts to track down and neutralize Vlad's operation.
With the combined efforts of the interrogations at SGC and the pressure applied to Fyodor, they had finally obtained a crucial piece of information: the location of Vladimir Babanian. He was holed up in a mansion in Nevada with his trusted men, operating from a secure base of operations.
Jack and General Hammond worked together to coordinate a surgical operation to apprehend Vladimir and dismantle his operation once and for all. The stakes were high, and time was of the essence.
Jack had persistently tried to enlist the help of the Asgard and the Tok'ra, seeking their advanced technology and intelligence. However, they had been frustratingly unresponsive, leaving him in a state of irritation.
After accepting that he wasn't receiving any help again from their allies, Jack was in the middle of a conversation with Teal'c at SGC when Thor, the little alien Asgard, finally answered him. Thor was known for his cryptic and enigmatic communication style. After Jack explained the situation to Thor, he said he would help. Thor could transport Vladimir Babanian into a cell at SGC with a simple beam, eliminating the threat in the blink of an eye.
Moments like these made Jack simultaneously appreciate and infuriated by Asgard's mysterious and elusive nature. Their advanced technology and knowledge were invaluable, but their habit of disappearing without a trace could be maddening. The operation to capture Vladimir was now in motion, thanks to the Asgard's belated but crucial assistance.
With the invaluable help of Thor and Asgard's advanced technology, Vladimir Babanian and his associates experienced a surreal and disorienting transition. One moment, they were seated in Vladimir's opulent office in his Nevada mansion, and the next, they found themselves in a holding cell deep within a mountain in Colorado Springs. The sudden change in surroundings left them bewildered and apprehensive, and SGC's holding cells quickly became crowded with the captured criminals.
However, as the saying goes, "Misfortunes never come alone." Almost immediately after Vladimir's capture, the Stargate came to life, and Jacob Carter emerged as if it were the most natural thing, despite having had no contact with Earth for months. Jack greeted him at the Gate with a mixture of surprise and concern.
"Jacob," Jack acknowledged, his tone reflecting the gravity of the situation.
Jacob wasted no time getting to the heart of the matter.
"Jack, what the hell is going on with my daughter?" he demanded, anxious for answers.
Jack heaved a weary sigh, sensing that this conversation would be difficult.
"Why don't we go and talk to my office?" he suggested, partly to avoid an immediate confrontation between father and daughter.
Jacob glanced around the familiar surroundings but followed Jack without further resistance. Quietly, Jack closed the door behind them and offered Jacob a seat. With both men seated, Jack began recounting the events involving Sam and what had transpired since Jack's last message to the Tok'ra.
Jacob's face paled as he listened to the disturbing details. When Jack finished, Jacob asked a simple, direct question, his concern evident. "Is she here?"
Jack nodded in response.
"Yes, she is, but I don't think it's a good idea to speak with her right now," he cautioned.
Jacob was taken aback.
"Why not? She's my daughter," he stated defensively, his protective instincts kicking in.
Jack acknowledged Jacob's feelings but recognized the need to handle the situation delicately.
"Yes, she is, but she's been through a lot, Jacob. Let me talk with her first," Jack requested, hoping to prepare Sam for the emotional reunion with her father.
After some consideration and Selmak input, Jacob reluctantly agreed to Jack's request. He would wait in Jack's office while Jack went to find Colonel Samantha Carter and discuss the situation before their anticipated meeting with her father.
Jack found Sam in her lab, engrossed in reading files about Vladimir and his associates. Her focus was broken when Jack stopped at the door, and she sensed that something was amiss. She looked up at him, her curiosity evident in her expression.
"What's wrong?" she inquired, observing the look on his face. Jack entered her lab and quietly closed the door behind him. He stood before her workbench, his hands in his pockets, feeling slightly nervous about delivering the news.
"Your father is here," Jack announced.
Sam's reaction was immediate, and she dropped all the papers she had been holding, allowing them to scatter and fall to the floor. Her eyes widened, and she looked at Jack, then at the closed door, as if she half-expected Jacob Carter to appear in her lab at any moment.
"Where?" Sam asked, her voice laced with concern.
Jack met her gaze and then looked at the door.
"I left him in my office. I told him I'd talk to you first. He wants to see you," Jack explained slowly, understanding that this situation would likely be challenging for Sam.
Sam took a step back; her emotions conflicted.
"NO!" she almost shouted. "No, I don't want to see him," she declared, her voice more composed but resolute.
Jack remained in place, his hands still in his pockets. He tried to reason with her, knowing that avoiding her father indefinitely was not a viable solution.
"You can't avoid him forever, Sam," he stated.
Sam shook her head and turned away from him, deliberately positioning herself to avoid the security cameras. Her voice trembled as she spoke.
"No," she repeated firmly. "I can't. Not now."
Jack decided not to press the issue further.
"Okay, I'll let him know," he said, acknowledging her feelings. Since Sam remained where she was, he left her lab and returned to his office, informing Jacob that Sam needed time to prepare for their reunion.
Although not entirely satisfied with the outcome, Jacob accepted the situation. Jack asked if he intended to stay at the SGC or return to the Tok'ra. Jacob considered his options and replied, "If you don't mind giving me a room for a couple of days, I would like to stay."
Jack nodded in agreement, willing to accommodate Jacob's request. However, he gave Jacob a silent warning with his gaze.
"Okay. You're welcome to stay, but please give her time, Jacob. You know your daughter better than anyone."
Jacob understood the unspoken message and reassured Jack.
"Don't worry, General O'Neill. Jacob will respect his daughter's wishes," Selmak said, speaking for the first time.
Jack expressed his gratitude.
"Thank you, Selmak."
With Jacob staying at the SGC, Sam locked herself in her room, grappling with the complex emotions swirling within her.