Feeling the need to step back and gather his thoughts, Jack spontaneously decided to take time off from work for himself and Grace. When she woke up the following day, his daughter hadn't taken well to Sam's absence and told her father exactly what she thought. She wasn't happy with him, and Jack couldn't stand to see his daughter suffer for his mistakes. He couldn't see her suffer, full stop.
So he made a decision that surprised his secretary but was resolute in his choice. He promptly informed Grace's school, packed their SUV, and set off for the cabin. Grace hadn't said a word.
Despite the emotional weight of their last visit, Jack was resolute in his decision to put that experience behind them. Grace had always adored their cabin retreats, and he found solace in its serene surroundings. With a renewed sense of hope, father and daughter embarked on a three-day forest getaway, ready to reconnect with each other and find peace amidst nature's embrace.
When they finally arrived, Grace slumbered peacefully in the back seat, the dimming light signaling the approach of nightfall. Jack maneuvered the SUV into place, leaving the headlights on as he stepped out to open the front door and ignite the generator. With the flip of a switch, electricity hummed to life, casting a warm glow over the cabin. Returning to the car, he gently lifted Grace into his arms, her serene slumber undisturbed as he carried her inside and tucked her into bed.
Before their arrival, Jack had arranged for a neighbor to have the cabin cleaned, ensuring a welcoming absence of dust and the draping of white sheets. With Grace settled, he unpacked their belongings before retrieving a cold beer from the cooler. Seated on the deck, he gazed up at the starry expanse above, feeling a wave of nostalgia in the familiar embrace of his surroundings.
After his marriage to Sam, the cabin held an even more special significance for Jack, for it was here that Grace had been conceived, a fact that only deepened his affection for the place. But tonight, he was there for a different purpose—a final farewell. It was time to release the grip of grief that had held him captive since Sam's passing. He couldn't continue to dwell in the past, hurting himself and those around him.
This Samantha Carter, who now was a constant presence in their lives, had been right; he was still mourning, unable to fully embrace the present. He and his wife's conversations about death, though difficult, had been necessary at a certain point in their lives. He remembered their playful banter, lying on the deck beneath the stars, discussing the inevitable with a mixture of humor and tenderness.
"I'm going to die first, and that's non-negotiable," Jack said, his gaze fixed on the twinkling stars above as they lay on the deck of their cherished cabin.
Graceful in her response, Sam playfully punched him in the ribs. "Don't you dare, Jack O'Neill. I'll kill you myself if you die on me," she teased, leaning in to plant a tender kiss on his lips.
Jack couldn't help but chuckle at her threat. "I think that would be physically impossible," he countered with a grin.
Sam released him, her expression softening as she spoke of a possibility neither wanted to confront.
"If I die first..." she began, but Jack swiftly silenced her with a gentle touch of his fingers against her lips. "Don't. Don't say that," he pleaded, his voice tinged with desperation.
Sam complied, her lips brushing against his fingertips as she moved them away. "We need to talk about this, Jack," she insisted, her gaze searching his closed eyes.
Undeterred, Sam began to trail soft kisses along his neck, a familiar tactic distracting him from the weight of their conversation.
"Now you're trying to distract me," Jack remarked, though his eyes remained shut.
Sam's smile was evident in her voice as she continued her ministrations. "Is it working?" she inquired, her hands tracing patterns across his chest.
With a sigh, Jack relented, his admission hanging in the air. "Yes," he confessed, feeling the tension slowly dissipate.
Sam nodded in satisfaction. "Good," she murmured before resuming her kisses.
Her tone turned serious as she broached the topic again, her lips hovering near his ear.
"Like I said, if I go first, I want you to continue your life, Jack. Please don't go into that suicidal mode like you were in Abydos. After Charlie," she pleaded softly, her words a poignant reminder of their shared history.
Jack's throat tightened at the memory, his eyes flickering open to meet hers. "So don't die," he implored, his grip tightening around her waist in a silent plea.
Sam met his gaze, her own eyes reflecting a mixture of love and uncertainty.
"I'll do my best, but you know that's something beyond my powers," she admitted with a faint smile, the weight of their mortality hanging heavily between them.
Jack shook his head, unwilling to accept the inevitability of their conversation.
"Don't say that," he urged again, his fingers tangling in her hair as he held her close.
Sam nestled into the crook of his neck, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I don't want to die, Jack. Not after we've finally come together. This talk is just in case," she confessed softly, her words a bittersweet reminder of the fragility of their existence.
Jack held her tighter at that moment to anchor her to the present.
"I hate the talks, just in case," he admitted, his voice tinged with sorrow.
But Sam was quick to lighten the mood, her mischievous grin returning as she changed the subject.
"What's your opinion on having sex on your deck?" she teased, a playful glint in her eye.
Jack's response was immediate, his desire palpable as he rolled them over. The soft blanket beneath them offered scant protection from the wooden planks below.
"I have a very favorable opinion about it," he murmured against her lips before kissing them passionately.
And so, beneath the canopy of stars, amidst whispered promises, tender embraces, and their mortality hanging heavily on their chests, their daughter, Grace Carter-O'Neill, was conceived, a testament to the enduring love that bound them together.
As he sat beneath the same starlit sky, he knew it was time to honor that promise. Let go of the past and embrace the future, as difficult as it may be. With a heavy sigh, he raised his beer in a silent toast to Samantha Carter-O'Neill, his beloved wife, before setting it aside and rising to his feet.
Inside the cabin, he whispered his final goodbyes, the weight of grief slowly lifting from his shoulders. It was time to move forward and cherish the memories of the past while embracing the possibilities of the future. As he extinguished the lights and stepped to his bedroom, he felt a sense of peace wash over him, knowing that Sam would always be with him, guiding him beneath the same starry sky where their love had taken root. It was time to move on and open his heart to another Samantha Carter, who had already gotten under his skin.
The three days Jack and Grace spent in the cabin were a precious time of reconnection and bonding, set against nature's serene embrace. As they wandered through the lush forests and along the tranquil lakeside, Jack took the opportunity to share some unknown stories of Grace's mother, painting vivid portraits of her adventurous spirit and unwavering dedication to her family and duty. Sam had never talked much to Grace about her SG-1 times, so Jack thought it was time their daughter knew some of the least dangerous missions her mother had been part of.
On the first day, they embarked on a leisurely hike through the cabin's winding trails. Grace skipped ahead, her laughter echoing through the trees as Jack followed.
"We used to do this with Mom," Grace said.
Jack nodded, remembering those days. Since Grace was little and they came to the cabin, Sam always took her, whether in a baby carrier backpack or Grace on her feet as she started to walk. Grace became immediately a fast learner of the forest from an early age. Sam took care of the hikes and taught her how to swim, and Jack taught her how to fish.
As they reached the trail's summit, Jack and Grace sat side by side, gazing out at the breathtaking vista before them. The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the landscape as they sat in companionable silence, lost in their thoughts.
On the second day, they spent the morning fishing on the lake's tranquil waters, the rhythmic cast and reel of the fishing line punctuating their conversation. Grace's laughter echoed across the water as she reeled in her first catch, a triumphant grin lighting up her face.
Jack smiled as he looked at the fish, proof that the lake had fish indeed, as he had always claimed. Grace was the only one who caught them, but he didn't care. Sam had taken several photos of Grace when she caught her first fish in the lake, and Jack had personally sent one photo to Daniel and Teal'c. On the back of the photo, he just wrote, "Told you."
"I wish Mom could see this," she mused, her voice tinged with longing.
Jack's heart clenched at the mention of Sam, but he forced a smile and wrapped an arm around Grace's shoulders.
"She's watching, sweetheart," he reassured her, his voice thick with emotion. "She's always with us, and we share every moment."
As the day drew close, they returned to the cabin, a sense of peace settling over them as they prepared dinner together. Grace's laughter filled the air as they cooked, the aroma of home-cooked food mingling with the scent of pine and cedar.
On the final day, they sat on the cabin's deck, the morning sun casting a warm glow over the landscape. Jack looked at Grace.
"What do you think of this Samantha Carter, Grace?" Jack asked, his tone gentle as he studied his daughter's reaction.
Grace bit her lip, a flicker of uncertainty crossing her features. "I won't call her Mom again, Dad," she replied quickly, her voice tinged with a hint of vulnerability.
Jack smiled, shaking his head slightly.
"It's not about that, honey. I'm asking for your opinion about her. You mentioned before that you thought she was an alternate version of your mother. That she could be your mother if she wanted, something like that. Am I right?" he inquired, searching her eyes for understanding.
Grace continued to chew on her lip, weighing her words carefully. "Are these trick questions? What do you want to know, Dad?" she questioned, her voice cautious.
Jack cleared his throat, his expression serious.
"They're not trick questions, Grace. Since she came into our reality, I've said and done things I'm not proud of towards her. I've hurt her because I was still grieving for your mother, but that's my problem, not hers. I'm trying to fix that," he confessed earnestly.
Grace gave him a sideways glance, her curiosity piqued.
"You like her?" she ventured, her tone laced with innocence.
Jack couldn't help but smile at her directness. "Why do you ask?" he deflected, eager to hear her perspective.
Grace's smile mirrored his own as she spoke.
"Well, Dad, she's a version of Mom, and you loved her very much. I figured it was just a matter of time," she reasoned, her gaze unwavering.
Jack opened his mouth to respond, but Grace shrugged her shoulders and beat him to it.
"You started this conversation and asked for my opinion. I'm just sharing it," she explained matter-of-factly.
Jack sighed, realizing his daughter had a point. "I suppose," he conceded.
"I miss her, Dad," Grace whispered, her voice barely audible above the rustle of the breeze.
Without hesitation, Jack pulled her into a tight embrace, holding her close as they sat together silently, their hearts heavy with longing. Jack knew that, in different ways, they were both referring to the two Samantha Carter.
"I miss her too, Grace," Jack admitted quietly, his voice thick with emotion.
In that poignant moment, Jack realized that he and Grace had already embarked on a journey of acceptance and transition towards the alternate version of Samantha Carter. As they sat together on the cabin's deck, enveloped by the serene beauty of nature and the cherished memories they shared, a sense of peace settled over them.
Their bond, forged through love and loss, grew stronger with each passing moment as they found solace in each other's company. The setting sun painted the sky in hues of gold and amber, casting a warm glow over the landscape as they contemplated the uncertain future that awaited them back in D.C.
Jack and Grace knew that when they returned home, Samantha Carter would be there—a constant presence in their lives, a reminder of the love they had lost and the hope that remained. And though the road ahead was uncertain, they believed that this new chapter in their lives would bring them closer together as they navigated the complexities of grief and healing.
In the quiet moments that followed, as they watched the sun dip below the horizon, father and daughter shared a silent hope that Samantha Carter's renewed presence would blossom into something more. This comforting presence would fill the void left by loss and bring them closer to the peace they so desperately sought.
In D.C., Sam was suddenly confronted with a pressing dilemma: Cassandra Frasier.
Jack had informed Cassie about Sam's presence in this reality, leaving it up to Cassie to decide whether she wanted to reconnect. After all this time, Cassie's response arrived that morning via email, expressing her desire for a meeting. However, Cassie mentioned that she lived in Philadelphia, where she attended the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Financial constraints and her middle-class circumstances prevented her from traveling. Sam hadn't replied yet, feeling overwhelmed by the various issues she was juggling, afraid of risking another breakdown.
The intensity of this reality weighed heavily on her, especially as she had allowed herself to form deeper connections with people, a departure from her usual tendency to keep her distance. In her reality, Cassie was the only one who had managed to breach her inner circle, and even that happened mainly during Sam's time on Earth.
Their bond had strengthened when Sam relocated to Area 51 while Cassie was still grappling with the aftermath of Janet's death. However, their relationship gradually drifted apart as Cassie found her footing and pursued medical school. They still exchanged calls and occasional visits, but it was different. Sam knew that Cassie had been deeply hurt by Jack's sudden withdrawal of contact after he moved to D.C. While Sam understood Jack's pain, especially concerning Pete, Cassie hadn't deserved to be shut out. Cassie had confided in Sam about her numerous attempts to reach out to Jack, even suggesting visits, but he never responded. Eventually, Cassie resigned to giving up trying and moving on with her life.
Now faced with the prospect of meeting this Cassie, Sam couldn't help but ponder the similarities between the two Cassies and Janet—they all chose the path of medical school. Sam wondered which specialty this Cassie had pursued. Her own Cassie had opted for pediatrics and was currently navigating through her residency program, with aspirations to join the Stargate Program afterward. Sitting in her office, Sam hesitated before opening Cassie's email. After a few moments of contemplation, she finally typed a response, expressing her eagerness to visit Philadelphia whenever Cassie was available. With a click, she sent it off and returned to her work.
Barely two minutes passed before her inbox chimed with a new message from Cassie. She proposed meeting this weekend before her schedule became packed with conferences. Sam bit her lip, swiftly replying that she would arrange a flight and accommodations, promising to share the details soon. She included her cell number for practical purposes. With that done, Sam immediately began searching for the next available flight to Philadelphia and a suitable hotel. Once everything was booked, she promptly forwarded the details to Cassie. They settled on meeting at Sam's hotel for lunch.
Despite checking off these tasks, Sam couldn't shake the sinking feeling in her stomach as she returned to her work for the day.
Sam arrived home exhausted, longing for a long bath in her tub, accompanied by soothing music and a well-deserved sleep. However, her cell phone rang as she began to slip out of her dress blues. She glanced at the caller ID and saw Jack's name, causing her to swallow nervously before reluctantly picking up.
"Yes?" she answered, settling onto the edge of her bed.
"Hey," Jack's voice greeted her.
He and Grace had returned home earlier that morning, and he had opted to stay in for the day, enjoying some downtime while Grace occupied herself with a book in her room.
Sam's voice, sharper than usual, cut through the air, "What do you want?"
Jack took a deep breath, sensing her tension. "So, you're still upset with me," he observed, his tone low.
"Look, Jack, I'm exhausted, and unless you have a specific reason for calling, I'm hanging up," Sam warned, her frustration palpable.
Understanding her mood, Jack relented, "I wanted to talk to you, but it can wait. Go, rest," he suggested, realizing this wasn't the ideal time for their conversation.
"Goodbye," Sam replied curtly before ending the call, frustration washing over her.
"Shit," she muttered under her breath as she filled the tub and sank into the hot water, closing her eyes in an attempt to calm her racing thoughts. Why had he called? And why had she answered? Another curse escaped her lips as she let the warmth of the water relax her tense muscles.
At home, Jack stared at his silent cell phone in his hand, his gaze shifting to his bare finger where his wedding ring used to rest. He had carefully placed it alongside Sam's wedding and engagement rings in a box on his nightstand. A faint circle remained on his skin, a reminder of what once was, but he knew it would fade with time. He was prepared to turn a new page, ready to convey to Sam that he had resolved his issues, bid farewell to the past, and was prepared to confront his feelings for her. His period of mourning was over, or at least he hoped so. He had said his final goodbyes to his late wife at the cabin, and now he was determined to move forward, just as Sam had urged him to do.
After his unsuccessful attempt to reach her by phone and not wanting to broach the subject personally while they were at the Pentagon because that would cause gossip, Jack reverted to a familiar tactic: inviting her to dinner. We would do that the following day as he returned to work.
Arriving at his office, he turned his computer on. He promptly composed the invitation, but his focus wavered as his eyes repeatedly darted to his inbox, which remained surprisingly quiet. By noon, panic began to set in as no response arrived. Skipping lunch, Jack found himself unable to eat, his appetite nonexistent. Following lunch, he discreetly asked his secretary if Colonel Emily Carter had reported for duty that day. Anxiously awaiting her response, he stared at his screen, silently hoping for a reply.
A knock on his door interrupted his anxious vigil.
"Yes?" he called out, and his secretary entered.
"Sir, Colonel Carter is working as usual," she informed him.
Jack's face paled at the realization.
"Thank you, Martina," he managed to say as he watched her leave, closing the door behind her. So, she was deliberately ignoring him. Well, he refused to plead for her attention. Pushing away from his desk, he focused on the neglected paperwork accumulated throughout the morning.
Midway through a call with the Senator of Florida, Jack's inbox bleeped, and he promptly ended the call, his heart pounding. Seeing Carter's name, he quickly opened the email with trembling fingers.
"Where and at what time?" was the curt sentence she wrote.
Jack swallowed hard at the evident chilliness in her tone, even conveyed through her writing. It seemed she wasn't keen on sharing a car ride. He provided her with the name of the restaurant where he had made reservations and the agreed-upon time. She still had ample time to return home and change if she wished. Sending the information, he let out a heavy sigh before refocusing on his work.
Jack's phone alarm blared in his office, jolting him into awareness as he glanced at the time.
"Damn it," he muttered, realizing he needed to leave immediately to make it to the restaurant on time. Since Sam wasn't sharing a car with him, he called for his driver to take him there. Arriving at the restaurant, he provided his name and was informed that his guest hadn't arrived yet. Opting to wait in the bar, Jack ordered a bourbon and nibbled on some peanuts, growing increasingly impatient as the minutes ticked by. It was unusual for Sam to be late.
Just as he considered asking for a refill, he spotted her entering the restaurant, clad in her dress blues, with her briefcase slung over her shoulder. So, she had come straight from work as well. Jack rose from his bar stool and approached her.
"Working late?" he inquired, his hands casually tucked into his pockets.
Sam looked surprised at his presence. "I'm in the middle of a project," she replied, as if that explained everything.
With a nod, they were shown to their table.