Jack parked the SUV in front of the garage, and Grace quickly unbuckled her seat belt, eager to explore. Sam hesitated, looking at the white garage door with uncertainty.
"Are you sure about this?" Sam asked, eyeing the garage door skeptically.
"It's been abandoned inside for so long. I can't bring myself to face it alone. With you here, at least it'll get the attention it deserves," Jack replied, stepping out of the vehicle.
Swallowing hard, Sam followed suit as the garage door slowly creaked open. Inside, she spotted a black cover and approached it cautiously. Jack stood nearby, arms crossed, as she peeled back the cover.
Taking a deep breath, Sam marveled at the sight before her—a stunning triple Black color scheme Corvette, its sleek black finish gleaming in the light. The meticulous restoration was evident in every detail, from the pristine upholstery to the refurbished dash and gauges.
She popped the hood, inspecting the mechanics while Jack observed silently. Underneath, a non-original 327 V8 engine boasted several upgrades, promising impressive performance.
Closing the hood, Sam wiped her hands on her jeans and turned to Jack.
"It's incredible. She did an amazing job with the restoration."
"But you'll need to work on it?" Jack inquired.
"Probably just some adjustments, maintenance stuff," Sam replied, mentally noting the tasks ahead.
Jack gestured towards a cabinet. "You can use her tools. They're in there."
"Thank you," Sam said gratefully.
"And I'll give you a remote for the garage. Makes things easier," Jack added.
Sam hesitated. "I'm not sure that's necessary..."
"It'll be helpful. Trust me," Jack insisted.
Blushing, Sam reluctantly agreed. "Okay."
Feeling guilty for disrupting Sam's plans, Jack extended an invitation.
"Let me make it up to you. How about dinner? My daughter might actually talk to me if you're here."
Sam smiled. "Well, when you put it like that, I can't refuse."
Jack grinned and called out to Grace, who eagerly accepted Sam's presence for dinner.
As they entered the house, Jack proposed ordering pizza. Grace requested her favorite—pepperoni and pineapple.
Jack wrinkled his nose in distaste.
"Grace, that's not a healthy choice. We have spoken about this endless times. Pineapple on pizza? It's blasphemy," he exclaimed, shaking his head, while Sam smiled.
Undeterred, Grace stuck out her tongue defiantly. "I love it, so I want pepperoni and pineapple," she insisted.
Jack sighed dramatically as he grabbed the pizza delivery number. "That combination shouldn't even exist," he muttered to himself. Turning to Sam, he asked, "And what about you, Carter?"
Clearing her throat, Sam replied, "Pepperoni, extra cheese, and mushrooms, please."
Jack closed his eyes briefly as if in disbelief.
"Oh my God... You too?" he muttered.
Grace, noticing the exchange, smiled knowingly.
"That was Mom's favorite, too," Grace whispered.
Sam felt a blush creeping up her cheeks. "But I'm flexible. I can have whatever you're having," she offered quickly.
Giving her a pointed look, Jack suggested, "Green peppers, black olives, onions, and pepperoni?"
Sam shook her head. "No, that's okay."
With a resigned sigh, Jack began dialing the pizza place. "I thought so," he muttered, ordering three large pizzas.
Sam and Grace went to the living room, ready to relax and enjoy their unconventional pizza toppings, according to Jack's tastes.
Dinner unfolded smoothly, with the conversation revolving around Grace's school activities and interests. Jack was caught in a bittersweet reverie; with closed eyes, it could easily have been another family meal with his wife and daughter. Yet, he was determined to keep his eyes open to witness this new reality.
As the realization settled that Samantha Carter was here to stay in their world, Jack felt himself slowly surrendering to the inevitable. He was falling for her all over again, not the Samantha Carter who had been his wife and whom he would always love, but a different yet familiar version who stirred emotions he had long buried.
The concern he had felt when she had mentioned going alone to Nashville to retrieve an old car had been a tipping point. That rooftop kiss had stirred something within him, and now he needed to know where they stood. He knew she had loved his other self, the alternate O'Neill, but now he had to discern her feelings toward him.
As he took another bite of pizza, their eyes met and held, the world around them momentarily fading away.
"Daddy? Are you listening?" Grace's voice broke the spell.
Jack blinked, swallowing hastily. "What, honey?" he asked, tearing his gaze away.
Grace looked at him expectantly. "Can we go to the park tomorrow?" she asked.
Glancing back at Carter, Jack replied, "Sure, we can do that."
Turning to Sam, Grace pleaded, "Can you come with us, please?"
Sam nodded with a smile. "Of course, I'd love to."
Grace beamed. "Great! I'll bring my bike," she declared happily.
Jack's eyes flickered back to Carter, but she avoided his gaze this time.
"No more soda for you; water from now on," he said, confiscating Grace's drink.
Grace protested, wrinkling her nose. "Why, Daddy?"
"Sugar high," Jack explained with a smile.
Sam suppressed a laugh as she took another bite of pizza.
"I'm not high," Grace objected.
"Of course not. We'll see about that at bedtime," Jack teased, earning a giggle from Grace.
"I don't want to sleep. I'm not tired at all," Grace declared with enthusiasm.
Jack glanced at Carter, who met his gaze this time. "Case closed," he quipped as Sam rolled her eyes and finished her pizza.
As anticipated, Grace resisted when it was time for bed, requiring considerable persuasion and Sam's gentle efforts to coax her into settling down. Initially, Grace complied by getting into bed but refused to slide under the covers, insisting on a story from Sam about her own reality. Sam agreed and shared a brief tale about her cat, Schrödinger, which immediately sparked Grace's desire for a pet cat. Jack, who had been eavesdropping from the doorway, shot Carter a warning glance, but she skillfully defused the situation, promising Grace they would discuss the idea with her father later.
After finally tucking Grace in and closing the door, Jack turned to Sam with a knowing smile.
"That was a bit of blackmail," he accused playfully.
Sam shook her head, a hint of amusement in her eyes. "No, it was more like conditioning," she countered.
Jack chuckled.
"Semantics, Carter, semantics," he teased as they moved back into the living room.
Sam began gathering her things, prompting Jack's surprise.
"Leaving already?" he asked.
Sam hesitated. "Uh, yes. Grace is asleep..." she trailed off.
Jack swallowed, feeling a pang of disappointment.
"She is, but we're not. You can stay a little longer. I'll drive you home," he offered.
Sam blushed, her gaze shifting to the front door.
"There's no need. I'll take a taxi," she insisted.
Jack sighed, feeling a sense of urgency to converse with her.
"Come on, stay. I... I wanted to talk to you," he admitted slowly, unsure how to broach the subject.
Sam looked at him, surprised. "About?" she inquired.
Jack ran a hand through his hair, gathering his thoughts.
"About what happened on my rooftop deck the other night," he confessed.
Sam's blush deepened.
"That... I thought we agreed never to talk about that," she said quickly.
Jack arched an eyebrow. "Why?" he pressed.
Sam swallowed, her cheeks still flushed.
"Because it was a spur-of-the-moment thing. You were thinking of her. I get it," she explained.
Jack's heart sank at her assumption. "I wasn't thinking of her," he clarified.
Sam's blue eyes widened, the color intensifying against her darker hair.
"You weren't?" she breathed in disbelief.
Jack shook his head. "No," he confirmed softly.
"Oh..." Sam murmured, her lips slightly parted as she stood in his living room, processing his words.
Gently, Jack reached for her hand.
"I think we need to clarify some things," he said, his tone gentle yet earnest.
Sam glanced down at their joined hands, a mixture of uncertainty and hope flickering in her eyes.
"I love my wife and will always love her, but she's gone. And you aren't her, nor do I want you to be. You are different from her in many ways, and I'm glad. You are a Samantha Carter, and I tend to fall for women with that name. In this case, it's you," he said gently, his voice soft and sincere.
Sam hardly blinked as she listened, her expression a mix of surprise and apprehension.
"Excuse me? What did you say?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Jack felt a slight smile tug at his lips but resisted, not wanting to overwhelm her further.
"I know things didn't work out with the other me in your reality, and you might be afraid, but I've fallen in love with you, Sam," he said, deliberately using her given name for the first time.
Sam swallowed hard, feeling his hand tenderly caressing hers.
"Are you serious, or is this just some sick game because you need something from me?" she asked, her eyes narrowing with suspicion.
Jack looked at her, genuinely surprised by her accusation.
"I've just confessed my love for you, bared my heart, and you think I'm playing games?" he questioned, lifting an eyebrow in disbelief.
Sam's mouth went dry, her doubts and fears surfacing.
"Forgive me if I find it hard to believe in love confessions after everything that has happened. After everything you've told me repeatedly. It just seems... too convenient," she admitted, releasing his hand.
Jack shook his head, feeling a pang of hurt at her words.
"Unbelievable. No wonder you're alone," he muttered under his breath, the words slipping out before he could stop them.
Sam paled, stung by his remark.
"Oh... okay. I see. I guess our discussion is over then. Goodnight, Sir," she said quietly, her voice trembling slightly as she turned and hurried out of the room.
Jack remained rooted in the spot, and his heart was heavy with regret. He had been impulsive, revealing his feelings without considering the consequences. He vowed silently never to make that mistake again.
After the tense exchange with Jack the previous night, Sam contemplated canceling their plans to go to the park, but she couldn't bring herself to punish Grace for something she had no part in. So, despite her discomfort, Sam showed up at the park as promised. Jack and Grace were already there, the pink bike standing out among the greenery.
"You came!" Grace exclaimed, waving enthusiastically.
Sam swallowed the lump in her throat as she returned the wave.
"Hi, Grace," she greeted with a forced smile, deliberately avoiding eye contact with Jack. It was clear they were both alone and there, for Grace's sake.
"I'll show you how good a rider I am!" Grace declared, hopping onto her bike and pedaling away.
Crossing her arms, Sam settled onto a nearby bench, silently observing Grace's antics. Jack remained standing at a distance, hands in his pockets, seemingly unsure how to approach the situation.
After a few minutes of tense silence, Jack spoke up. "Thanks for coming," he said quietly.
Sam gave him a sidelong glance. "It's not her fault," she replied, keeping her gaze fixed on Grace.
Jack nodded, fidgeting with the small rocks and grass at his feet.
"Can we just forget what I said yesterday? And move on?" he asked, his voice tinged with apprehension.
Sam's heart clenched at his words.
"Forget? So, what you told me wasn't true? I was right?" she questioned bitterly.
Jack ran a hand through his hair nervously, unwilling to risk further confrontation.
"Yeah, you were right," he admitted, though it was a lie.
Sam felt another piece of her heart break at yet another instance of Jack O'Neill's deception.
"Sure. We move on," she replied hoarsely, focusing on Grace.
Relieved to have avoided further conflict, Jack let out a sigh. "Good," he said, though the tension lingered between them.
They remained in the park longer until Sam announced she had to leave. She didn't explain, but Grace seemed disappointed nonetheless.
"We'll do this again some other weekend, okay?" Sam promised as she prepared to depart.
Grace nodded, but her expression betrayed her sadness.
"She looked sad, Daddy," Grace remarked as she leaned her bike against the bench where Sam had been sitting.
Jack cleared his throat, struggling to find the right words.
"I don't think so, Grace. Maybe she's just tired," he suggested weakly.
But Grace shook her head, her intuition sharper than her father's wishful thinking.
"Mom looked like that too when you were away. I know that look. She's sad," she insisted quietly.
Jack swallowed hard, feeling a pang of guilt as he took Grace for ice cream. He silently vowed to make things right somehow.
General O'Neill and Colonel Carter resumed their professional roles back at work, though there was an evident strain between them. Sam tried to avoid Jack, attending only the necessary meetings and keeping to herself, much to Jack's disappointment. He couldn't force her to socialize with her coworkers despite his concerns.
Their uneasy standoff continued until a delicate situation arose on a planet requiring Sam's expertise. Reluctantly, Jack authorized her to accompany SG-1 to address the issue. He couldn't shake the memories of losing his wife during a rebellion off-world, leaving him apprehensive about sending Sam into potential danger.
Jack prepared to brief her on the mission by summoning her to his office.
"Yes, Sir?" Sam greeted him as she entered, their first direct conversation since their awkward encounter at the park.
Jack cleared his throat, and his tone was businesslike.
"You are to report to SGC and accompany SG-1 to planet P98-529. They have a machine of interest to us, and we can negotiate for its acquisition. Within reason," he instructed, eyeing her carefully.
Sam's gaze remained fixed on a point on the wall behind him as she replied, "Yes, Sir."
Jack noted her distant demeanor but pressed on. "I understand you haven't been involved in these missions recently, but your expertise is needed to evaluate the machine," he explained.
This time, Sam met his gaze, her tone icy.
"In my reality, I was the commander of the Hammond and conducted negotiations with delegations on planets. I was ambushed on one such occasion and ended up here," she stated bluntly.
Jack cleared his throat, feeling a pang of guilt at the reminder of her past trauma.
"Well, try to avoid getting ambushed this time, and please, stay in this reality," he requested, his tone softer.
Sam almost smirked at his attempt at humor.
"Next, you'll be telling me you'll miss me, Sir," she retorted sarcastically.
Jack's expression hardened. "Grace would," he replied coldly.
Sam's heart skipped a beat at the mention of Grace. "I'm not her mother," she countered slowly.
Jack continued to regard her sternly. "No, you aren't. Her mother was a remarkable woman and a fine officer," he acknowledged.
Sam's heartbeat quickened, her cheeks flushing slightly. "I believe that upon my return from this mission, it would be best to discuss my reassignment, Sir," she suggested cautiously.
It was Jack's turn to pale at the suggestion of her leaving. "There will be no reassignments, Colonel," he stated firmly, though the words felt heavy in his mouth.
Sam blushed, resolute. "I'll submit the papers anyway, Sir," she warned, her tone firm.
Jack raised a warning finger.
"Get the job done, Carter, and return alive. That's your mission," he stated firmly before adding more gently, "Dismissed."
Sam saluted him crisply before turning on her heel and leaving his office, her emotions roiling.
After enduring the tumultuous emotions swirling within her, Sam resorted to a coping mechanism she had relied on during her time with SG-1: she wrote farewell letters, one addressed to Jack and another to Grace, leaving them safely tucked inside her office cabinet. If she failed to return, at least someone would find them and understand her sentiments, however messy they were now. With a heavy heart, she grabbed her bag and went to the airfield to catch her flight to Colorado Springs and the SGC. At this juncture, her fate seemed inconsequential.
Meanwhile, Jack was a bundle of nerves, demanding constant updates from Hank regarding the mission. His sole reassurance lay in Carter being implicitly accompanied by SG-1—a team he trusted. Nevertheless, worry gnawed at him incessantly. He lingered in the office, waiting for confirmation from Landry that SG-1 and Colonel Carter had safely departed for the planet and established contact. Instructing Landry to contact him immediately if anything went amiss, Jack eventually decided to head home, though his mind remained preoccupied with thoughts of Carter's safety.
The mission unfolded without a hitch until an unfortunate mishap occurred. Sam, momentarily distracted, stumbled and fell—a situation more characteristic of Daniel's style than hers. She winced in embarrassment as pain shot through her ankle, forcing her to rely on Teal'c for support as they made their way to the Stargate.
"I'm so sorry, Teal'c," Sam apologized repeatedly, mortified by her clumsiness.
"Do not concern yourself, Colonel Carter. I am glad to assist you," Teal'c reassured her calmly as they waited for Daniel to dial the gate.
Upon their return to the SGC, General Landry swiftly approached them, his expression concerned. "What happened, Colonel?" he inquired.
"I tripped, Sir," Sam admitted, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
"Infirmary, Colonel," Landry ordered without hesitation.
They promptly made their way to the infirmary, where Carolyn Lam diagnosed Sam with a sprained ankle. Landry wasted no time contacting Jack, who received the news with displeasure.