After returning from the SGC and having a rare day off, Sam found herself alone in her house, grappling with the tumultuous whirlwind of emotions that had consumed her since her encounter with Jack. Sleep had been elusive, her mind relentlessly replaying the stark realization that she had forsaken any chance of returning to her reality and home. But it was Jack's words in the briefing room that weighed heaviest on her heart.
He had labeled her a deserter and declared them strangers in the most matter-of-fact manner. The sting of his words cut deep, shattering the fragile hope she had held onto. She had broken off her engagement with Pete, driven by the profound realization that her heart belonged to another—Jack. Yet, she had clung to the belief that their feelings were mutual. They had confessed them during the Tok'ra test and vowed to set them aside in that room until the war's end. Even when she showed him Pete's ring, his response had been ambiguous, leaving her to interpret his silence as disinterest.
Though she ended things with Pete, hoping for a chance with Jack, she soon learned he was involved with someone else. Despite Daniel's reassurances that Jack had ended things with Kerry Johnson, their visit to his cabin yielded no change in his distant demeanor. Months passed, then years, and things went from bad to worse.
As she sat on her couch in rumpled PJs, tears streaking her cheeks, Sam couldn't shake the ache of rejection. She wiped her face with another tissue, feeling the weight of loneliness settle upon her shoulders. The hope she had clung to that maybe there was still a chance for them now seemed nothing more than a fleeting dream.
Having lost everything she held dear—her reality, the love of her life, even Cassie—Sam knew she had to accept her new circumstances and make the best of them. Launching her career in this reality became her priority, and nurturing a connection with Grace, the daughter she longed for but another Samantha Carter had already claimed as her own. She resolved to let go of any lingering romantic notions she harbored for Lieutenant General Jack O'Neill, regardless of his reality.
With a clearer mind, Sam decided to take practical steps forward. She would start by researching and purchasing a car. Tired of relying on rentals and taxis, she recognized the necessity of having her mode of transportation in this reality. After all, if she was here to stay, she needed to embrace the practicalities of daily life. So, with determination fueling her actions, she set aside her emotional turmoil and focused on the tasks at hand, ready to tackle the challenges of this new chapter in her life.
The following days passed uneventfully for Jack, who was consumed by his demanding schedule. A trip to the White House for a detailed briefing with the President regarding the presence of his alternate self and Colonel Carter's decision to remain in their reality stood out among his obligations. The Air Force expressed delight at Carter's choice, with discussions already circulating about a potential promotion to Brigadier General if her work continued smoothly. Jack, wholeheartedly endorsing her advancement, recognized her dedication to her career.
When hearing the news of Sam's decision to stay, Grace's excitement knew no bounds. Now that she was fully recovered, she eagerly pressed Jack to arrange another meeting with her. Her persistence made Jack's evenings at home increasingly challenging as he struggled to find excuses for delaying the meeting. Finally, on Friday, he mustered the resolve to visit Carter's office.
"You know it's almost time to leave, right?" he asked, glancing at his watch.
Sam paused her typing, her gaze shifting to the door where he stood.
"I still have a few more minutes, Sir," she replied, checking the clock on the wall.
Jack let out a sigh. "Will you, for once, just leave of your own accord, Carter?" he asked, rolling his eyes.
Sam blushed slightly and resumed typing. "I'm just finishing up," she said quietly.
"Of course you are," he muttered, sighing.
Jack cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "Actually, I have an invitation..." he began.
Sam's fingers faltered on the keyboard, but she continued typing, pretending not to be affected.
"Oh," she responded, fixing her eyes on the screen.
Jack glanced down at his shoes.
"Grace wanted to invite you to go to the park this weekend. She mentioned her bike and that you talked before," he said softly.
Sam swallowed nervously.
"Yes, she did," she replied, still typing away.
Jack looked at her expectantly. "And? Are you free?" he inquired.
Sam stopped typing and slowly turned to face him, her cheeks flushing.
"Ah... no. I'm afraid I'm not," she admitted, biting her lip.
Jack raised an eyebrow. "Oh, going somewhere?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.
Sam blushed even more.
"Can you tell Grace we can go to the park next weekend? I'm sorry," she requested.
Jack crossed his arms, a small smile playing on his lips.
"Sure, she'll be disappointed, but I can tell her you have a date," he teased.
Sam's blush deepened. "I do not," she insisted firmly.
Jack continued to study her, intrigued. "No? So what are you doing?" he pressed.
Sam swallowed nervously. "I'm just busy," she replied evasively.
Jack raised an eyebrow again. "The whole weekend?" he asked, surprised.
Sam remained silent, avoiding his gaze.
Jack sighed, resigning himself to her reluctance to share.
"Fine, Carter. It's your life. Go on all the dates you want. I'll tell Grace you're busy. Next weekend," he said, turning to leave her office.
Sam gritted her teeth as she watched him go. Returning to her computer, she found it hard to focus. "Damn," she muttered under her breath, shutting down her computer for the day.
When Jack told her Sam was busy this weekend, Grace didn't take it well. She had already planned their park outing and eagerly prepared her bike.
"What do you mean busy, Dad?" she questioned, raising an eyebrow in a perfect imitation of him.
Jack cleared his throat, feeling the weight of Grace's disappointment.
"That's what she told me, honey. I'm not sure," Jack explained as he reached for his jacket and headed towards his room to change. Grace followed him, and her frustration was evident.
"Busy? How can she be busy if she doesn't know anyone?" Grace demanded.
Jack sighed, trying to navigate the situation delicately.
"We don't know everything about her life, Grace," he cautioned gently.
Arms crossed, Grace persisted, "Two whole days, Daddy? She's busy for two whole days?"
Jack met his daughter's gaze, his heart aching at her disappointment.
"Next weekend, Grace. I can take you to the park this weekend if you want," he offered.
But Grace shook her head firmly. "I want to go with her," she insisted before storming off to her room, leaving Jack helpless.
Inside her bedroom, Grace sat on her bed and grabbed her phone. She already had Sam's number saved, so she quickly dialed it and waited impatiently for Sam to pick up.
"Grace," Sam greeted as soon as she saw the caller ID.
"Why are you busy?" Grace asked bluntly.
While folding her clothes into a small travel bag, Sam settled onto her bed.
"Well, first, hi, Grace. How are you?" Sam inquired, attempting to soften the conversation.
Grace bit her lip, replying with a shy "hi."
"So, your father told you I'm busy this weekend?" Sam asked, her nerves evident.
Grace fiddled with her sneakers, her disappointment still lingering.
"Yes, he said we could go to the park next weekend, not this one," she confirmed.
Sam cleared her throat, preparing herself to explain. "That's correct. I'm sorry, honey, but I won't be home this weekend," she confessed.
Grace was surprised by the response. "Oh, where are you going?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.
Sam hesitated before answering.
"I... well, I'm going to look at a car," she said slowly.
Grace furrowed her brow, puzzled.
"A car? You're going to see a car?" she repeated, confusion evident in her voice.
Sam ran a hand through her hair, realizing she needed to be honest.
"Yes, I need to buy a car, but the one I'm interested in isn't here. It's in Detroit," she explained.
"Detroit? Why can't you buy one here?" Grace questioned, her curiosity growing.
Sam took a deep breath, deciding to be straightforward.
"Because it's not a new car, Grace. It's an old car, and the owner wants to sell it. I've spoken to him on the phone, and now I'm going there to see it and test it. If I like it, I'm buying it and driving it back to D.C.," she clarified.
"Old? Like Mommy's?" Grace asked, her voice softer now.
Sam's heart skipped a beat at the mention of Grace's mother.
"What do you mean, honey?" she asked gently.
Grace moved to her bedroom window, looking out at the garage.
"Daddy still has Mommy's car in the garage. It's old, not like the SUV. It only has two doors and is very small. I only got to go with her twice," Grace explained quietly.
Sam's breath caught in her throat. Could it be possible that she and Grace's mother shared the same taste in cars?
"Do you know the brand of the car, Grace?" Sam inquired, trying to steady her voice.
"No, I can't remember. Just that it's black," Grace replied.
Sam swallowed hard.
"Okay, sweetie. Is your Dad around? Can I talk to him?" she asked, her mind racing with possibilities. She didn't want to jump to conclusions but needed to confirm before heading to Detroit. It would be awkward if she showed up with the same car that Jack's deceased wife used to drive, and apparently, it was still in their garage.
"Daddy?" Grace called out.
Sam blinked, taken aback by Grace's loud voice.
"I think he's still in the bathroom," Grace responded.
"Okay, when he's free, please ask him to call me," Sam requested.
She didn't want to leave without addressing this potential coincidence.
"Sure," Grace said. "Does this mean you're not going on your trip anymore?" Grace inquired with a hopeful smile.
Sam hesitated, uncertain of the future.
"I don't know, Grace. I really don't know," she admitted honestly.
"I'll tell Dad to call you. Don't worry," Grace assured before they ended the call, leaving Sam staring at her half-packed bag, her mind swirling with thoughts of unexpected connections and uncertain futures.
As soon as Jack emerged from his room, he was met by his daughter, who was holding her cell phone.
"You have to call her," she said solemnly.
Jack furrowed his brow. "Who?" he asked.
"Mommy," Grace replied innocently.
Jack tilted his head, a mixture of surprise and caution in his expression.
"Grace..." he began, but she persisted. "She wants to talk to you," Grace insisted, clutching her phone.
Jack sighed, taking the phone from her hand.
"Fine," he relented, shooting his daughter a stern look before she left the room.
Jack made his way to the living room and dialed the number.
"Hi, Grace," Sam's voice greeted when she saw her number again on the caller ID.
Jack cleared his throat. "Ah... it's not Grace," he said, a touch of awkwardness in his tone.
Sam dropped her bag to the floor.
"Oh, it's you," she replied, surprised that he was calling from his daughter's cell phone.
"I was told you wanted to talk with me," he said, getting straight to the point.
Sam cleared her throat, feeling the weight of the conversation.
"Yes. I'm sorry to bother you, Sir, but..." she started, but Jack interrupted her.
"Forget the 'Sir' for once, Carter. We aren't working. What do you want?" he asked, settling onto the couch and grabbing the remote.
Sam swallowed nervously.
"I... needed to ask you something before I left," she said slowly, gathering her thoughts.
Jack paused his channel, flipping.
"Leave? Where are you going?" he inquired, curiosity tinged with concern.
"Detroit. I'm buying a car, but Grace mentioned you still have your wife's car in the garage. And since… we think alike, there's a good chance that the car I'll see could be the same as the one you have in your garage. I want to check before leaving," Sam explained quickly, her words tumbling out.
Jack paled at the mention of his late wife's car. After Sam's passing, he couldn't bring himself to part with it, and it had sat in the garage collecting dust ever since.
"What are you buying?" he asked, trying to keep his composure.
Sam bit her lip. "A C1 1962 Chevrolet Corvette, black," she murmured.
Jack closed his eyes, feeling a rush of emotions wash over him.
"Well, I can save you the trip. I have one in my garage," he admitted quietly.
Sam sank into the nearest chair, her legs suddenly feeling weak.
"Oh..." she managed, overwhelmed by the unexpected events.
"She bought it before Grace was born and started to restore it. After we had Grace, she didn't use it much. And... after, you know, I couldn't bring myself to sell it," Jack confessed, his voice heavy with memories.
Sam closed her eyes, grappling with the weight of the revelation.
"I can look for another car," she offered, her voice trembling slightly.
Jack managed a faint smile.
"Why? You like this one. As it turned out, you both did," he said, attempting to mask his pain with forced levity.
Sam cleared her throat, her heart aching with empathy.
"No. That was your wife's car. Like you keep telling me repeatedly, I'm not your wife. I'll search for another car. I'm sorry," she said softly before abruptly ending the call.
Jack stared at the phone in his hand momentarily, feeling frustration and regret. He called Carter again, but it went straight to voicemail.
"Carter, call me right now. We need to talk," he said briefly, the urgency evident in his voice.
Frustrated, he tossed the phone onto the couch, unaware Grace was watching him closely in the doorway.
"Is she staying for the weekend, Daddy?" Grace asked, her voice sweet and hopeful.
Jack turned to face her, surprised by her sudden appearance.
"Grace Carter-O'Neill! Were you listening?" he questioned, his tone a mix of exasperation and affection.
Grace blushed, attempting to evade his gaze.
"No," she fibbed, then quickly amended, "Maybe."
Jack sighed, deciding to change the subject.
"Come on, let's go see Mommy's car," he said, his voice gentle as he gestured for Grace to follow him.
Her face lit up with excitement; Grace eagerly nodded. "Yeah!" she exclaimed, a broad smile spreading across her face as they made their way to the garage, anticipation building with each step.
They made their way to the garage, Jack's hand hesitating for a moment before he reached for the remote. The door swung open with a creak, revealing the dimly lit interior. There, underneath a black car cover, stood Sam's Corvette, its silhouette barely visible in the shadows. Jack's throat tightened as he approached, his hand trembling slightly as he reached for the dusty cover.
"Grace, move away," he instructed softly, his voice catching in his throat.
Grace obediently stepped back, watching with wide eyes as her father carefully peeled back the cover, revealing the sleek lines of the vintage car beneath. Dust motes danced in the dim light as Jack ran a hand over the hood, tracing the contours with a mixture of reverence and sorrow.
The memories flooded back—the countless hours Sam spent working on the car, the joyrides they had taken together, and the laughter and camaraderie filling the garage. It was a bittersweet reminder of a life that once was, a life that had been tragically cut short.
For a moment, Jack stood there, lost in thought, his emotions swirling like the dust in the air. Then, with a heavy sigh, he turned to Grace, offering her a sad smile.
"Come on, let's put the cover back on," he said gently, his voice tinged with melancholy.
Together, they carefully draped the cover over the Corvette, shrouding it again in darkness. As they stepped back, Jack cast one last lingering look at the car, feeling the weight of his loss pressing down on him like a heavy burden.
But amidst the sadness, there was also a glimmer of hope—a reminder that even in the darkest times, there were still moments of beauty and connection to be found. As they left the garage behind, Jack couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for the time he had shared with Sam and the legacy of love and memories she had left behind. And now another Sam was looking for the same car. Jack often found himself yearning to converse with the universe, to express his exact thoughts regarding its twisted sense of irony.
Sam heard Jack's message on the voicemail, but she didn't call him back. Instead, she dialed the Detroit seller, informing them she was no longer interested in the car, and canceled her plane ticket. After brewing a fresh pot of coffee, she resolved to begin her search for another vehicle. There was no way she was keeping this Samantha Carter car. She already had enough problems to deal with.
Just as she finished a call with a seller from Nashville, the doorbell rang. Intrigued, Sam rose from her seat and opened the door, only to be met by Grace's embrace. Sam paled as she spotted Jack standing beside her daughter, a smile playing on his lips.
"You didn't call me back," he began, still grinning.
"What are you doing here?" Sam interjected through gritted teeth, gently kissing Grace on the head.
"Where are your manners, Carter? Didn't you think to invite us over?" Jack teased as Grace darted inside and began exploring.
"Grace, behave," Jack admonished gently, but Grace was already darting from room to room.
Sam quickly shut the front door, keeping her voice low.
"What's going on?" she demanded.
"You hung up, Carter. I don't appreciate that," Jack replied, his tone playful.
Grace's curiosity led her to Sam's laptop, now open on the table.
"I like your house, Mommy," she exclaimed, drawing Jack's attention.
"Grace..." he warned again, but the young girl was undeterred.
"Are you still looking for cars?" she asked, her gaze shifting between Sam and her father.
Sam felt a blush rising to her cheeks as she moved to close her laptop.
"Yes," she confirmed tersely.
"Why? You can keep Mommy's car. We went to the garage to see it," Grace suggested innocently.
Jack cleared his throat, sensing Carter's embarrassment.
"That's very thoughtful of you, Grace, but no. I've already chosen another car and will leave in three hours. So..." Sam trailed off, her gaze shifting to Jack, awaiting his response.
Jack raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"Already? What are you getting?" he inquired.
Sam hesitated, meeting Grace's gaze before replying, "A 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu."
Jack's eyebrow lifted further. "So, you're sticking to the Chevies?" he remarked.
Sam nodded, feeling a hint of defiance in her stance.
Jack pressed for details. "Where?" he asked.
"Nashville, Tennessee," Sam answered.
Jack regarded her thoughtfully.
"That's more than a 10-hour drive. Are you insane?" he challenged.
Sam maintained her composure.
"I'll fly there and drive back, making stops. I'll be fine," she asserted.
Jack lowered his voice, his concern evident.
"What if you have car trouble? It's an old car, Carter," he pointed out with a hint of frustration.
Sam remained resolute. "I can handle it. I know how to fix cars," she replied confidently.
Grace's innocence intervened. "Are you fighting?" she asked, oblivious to the tension.
"No," they both replied simultaneously.
Jack then turned to Grace with a bright smile.
"You know what, Grace? We're going on a trip with Carter. She doesn't want to go alone, so we're going with her," he announced, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
Grace's joy was palpable as she exclaimed, "Yes, let's go!"
Sam was left speechless, her disbelief evident.
"You what?" she managed to utter.
Jack's tone turned firm.
"I couldn't care less if you know how to fix cars. You're not going alone to Nashville to pick up a car with who knows how many miles and years on it and then drive back all by yourself. Not on my watch," Jack asserted firmly, scooping Grace up in his arms.
Sam sputtered, feeling her frustration mounting.
"You can't give me orders in my private time," she protested, her cheeks flushing crimson.
But Jack remained unfazed, his smile unwavering.
"Watch me," he quipped, eliciting a giggle from Grace.
"Aren't you happy, Grace?" he asked, his voice filled with warmth.
Grace beamed with delight. "Yes, let's go!" she exclaimed once more.
Jack's gaze returned to Sam, his expression teasing.
"Now, do you want to spoil this?" he teased.
Sam's blush deepened. "That's... that's blackmail," she retorted, her voice faltering.
Jack grinned unabashedly.
"Pure and simple, Carter," he admitted with a chuckle, leaving Sam to grit her teeth in exasperation, knowing she had been outmaneuvered, at least for now.
"Okay, let's calm down," Sam managed to say.
She needed to regain control of the situation. Going to Nashville with her CO and his daughter was not her preferred scenario. Perhaps she could find a compromise and avoid joint trips altogether. Jack observed her with curiosity, recognizing the familiar look of determination in her eyes, reminiscent of his late wife when she sought to regain control of a situation. If only for a moment, it was as if he had his wife back.
"What's on your mind?" he asked slowly.
Sam cleared her throat before speaking.
"The car you have in your garage. Would you sell it to me?" she asked in a low voice.
Grace, who had been bouncing around, suddenly stopped.
"Of course. You can have it," she offered eagerly.
Jack gestured for her to be quiet. "Hold on, Grace. Let us talk. Give us a minute, sweetie," he requested.
Grace, understanding, quietly retreated to the kitchen.
"You want my wife's car?" Jack inquired slowly.
Sam shook her head.
"No, but you're leaving me with no other choice. I certainly don't want to go to Nashville with you and Grace. I don't think it's appropriate, but I'm running out of options. Unless you want me to sneak around next weekend," she stated, her eyes glinting with determination.
Jack swallowed hard. "No, I don't," he admitted. "But I don't know if the car still works. It's been sitting in the garage, abandoned," Jack cautioned.
Taking a deep breath, Sam pressed on.
"Can I see it?" she asked.
Jack nodded. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to spoil your plans," he said.
Sam gave him a knowing look. "Yes, you did," she remarked.
Jack shrugged his shoulders. "Okay, so I'm not sorry," he conceded.
Sam sighed. "Since most of the day is already lost, do you mind if I have a quick peek today? Just to get an idea?" she proposed.
Jack shook his head.
"Grace? We're going home to see Mommy's car again," he announced.
Grace appeared immediately.
"So, aren't we traveling anymore?" she asked, pouting.
Sam smiled. "No, honey. I'll look at your mother's car and see if I can have it. How does that sound to you?" she asked.
Grace beamed. "Sounds good," she replied honestly.
Jack watched the interaction between Carter and Grace, feeling a lump in his throat. Things had evolved so much since this Samantha Carter had come into their reality.
"Let's go home," he said, unaware of the significance of his words to the two Carter women standing before him.