Long time no post. If you've read my Shipmass 2022 story, which isn't going to be finished sorry, then you know back in 2022 I had a bit of a hard year. But, there was something good that came out of it. I was pregnant, and I now have twin girls who are a little over 13 months old. As I'm sure you can appreciate I'm really busy at the moment, but I am actually managing to get a bit more writing done so I'm hoping to have more chapters for this story soon, and I'm also working on a new multi-chapter story as well.
This is a follow up for the previous chapter and there isn't really any running invovled, but I was reading back through some of my older stuff and this came to me, I hope you like it.
When Sam woke the next morning she lay in bed for a few minutes, slowly stretching out her aching muscles, with a smile on her face. She knew that today she'd have to be careful to keep her hands to herself, but yesterday had more than made up for it.
As she sat up her phone chimed. She reached for it as she got out of bed and stretched her arms above her head. Heading for the bathroom she read the message that had just come through.
Morning sweet cheeks the text read, Looking forward to seeing you later.
She laughed and quickly typed back a reply. You too, but sweet cheeks, really?
Sam put the phone down and got into the shower. When she got out there was another message waiting for her.
Sweet cheeks, snookums, cherry pie, sweetie, cutey pie, sweetie pie. The list went on and each name was just as sickening as the last.
Sam laughed out loud. You're a goof she sent as a reply.
That's General Goof to you came the almost immediate reply.
Sam laughed again. So when do you arrive? She text before putting the phone down again and starting to get dressed. The phone buzzed almost immediately but Sam ignored it until she was fully dressed.
She wore BDUs, just like she had back at the SGC, but the patches were different now. Rather than an SGC patch she wore one for Area 51, and where her SG1 patch used to sit there was now just a blank sleeve.
Sam grabbed her mobile again and read the text that had come through. On my way now. I'm having breakfast with the base commander before my tour.
I'll see you later then Sam replied before pushing the phone into her pocket and leaving her quarters. She headed towards the mess, looking forward to her normal cup of coffee and a piece of fruit.
Around her, the other base personnel were also heading for the mess and Sam soon found herself in amongst the crowd of people all heading to get breakfast. Much like at the SGC, there was only one mess and it was shared by officers, enlisted, and civilian.
Sam joined the queue and quickly grabbed a coffee in a to-go cup and a banana. She was just about to leave when she heard someone call her name.
"Carter," Jack called, and even over the general noise of the mess Sam would know that voice anywhere.
Sam towards the voice and saw Jack standing in the doorway alongside General Smith, the base commander, both in the process of removing their covers. Smith looked taken aback by Jack's shout and as Sam began to walk towards them she was aware that the noise around her was lessening as people saw that there were two General's in the mess.
"As you were people," Jack called loudly just as Sam reached them.
"General," Sam greeted Jack with a nod and a smile. "General," she repeated as she nodded in General Smith. "I wasn't expecting to see you till much later sirs," she then continued to say.
"General O'Neill decided he'd rather have breakfast in the mess," Smith explained, "Rather than in my office as had been arranged." There was a slight edge to his voice but he had to be careful with what he said, Jack was, after all, his boss.
"Sorry about that General," Jack said, "But I was just looking forward to seeing the facilities so much I just couldn't wait." He was laying it on thick and Sam had to try hard to fight back her urge to smile.
"I'll leave you to it sirs," Sam then said, excusing herself.
She turned away but didn't get far before Jack called her back. "Carter," he said, "Didn't we have a discussion years ago about what was considered a reasonable breakfast?" Sam looked back at him and saw that he was looking pointedly at her banana and to-go cup.
Sam sighed softly while Smith looked between the pair, confusion on his face. Sam felt for the guy. It was one thing knowing that Sam and Jack had worked together for years, both on SG1 and then when Jack was in charge of the SGC, but it was quite another thing being around the two of them. God help him if Daniel and Teal'c had been here too.
"It's fine sir," Sam told him, "I'm not that hungry."
"Come and join us, Carter," Jack suggested, "I'm sure General Smith would appreciate the backup. I'm sure he's heard some horror stories about having to deal with me."
"Of course not sir," Smith said quickly, talking so fast he almost tripped over his own words, "I have heard nothing but good things."
"How did you get this far in the Air Force when you're such a terrible liar?" Jack asked conversationally.
Smith gapped for a few seconds before Sam took pity on him. "If I wouldn't be interfering, joining you for breakfast would be lovely sirs," she said in a soft voice, giving Jack a subtle look to tell him to knock off the teasing while giving Smith an easy out whichever way he wanted to go.
She saw as his shoulders relaxed slightly before he nodded. "If you're not too busy Colonel," he said, "Then you are more than welcome to join us."
As they'd spoken they'd moved out of the way of the door, and now they headed to join the back of the queue for food. The queue wasn't as long as it had been, most of the base personnel having already gotten their breakfast.
They were served quickly before they moved to find a table. There was only one free and they headed for it. Smith took a seat on one side while Sam and Jack sat side by side opposite him.
"So what's the plan for today General Smith?" Jack asked once they'd all begun to ea.
"I believe an itinerary was sent to your aide before you travelled, sor," Smith replied carefully.
"It was indeed," Jack replied jovially, "Unfortunately I left it in my car and I cannot for the life of me remember what it said."
Smith nodded and quickly pulled a folded piece of paper from his uniform pocket. He read it through quickly while Jack nodded along.
"How much of this are you joining us for Carter?" Jack then asked, once Smith had finished talking.
Sam quickly chewed and swallowed the bite of toast she'd taken, she'd placated Jack by adding some peanut butter toast to her breakfast alongside her banana, before responding.
"I believe General Smith was intending for me to join you after you'd toured the admin department and then spend the rest of the tour with you."
"To be my translator?" Jack teased softly.
"Among other things sir," Sam replied quickly.
She was used to Jack's teasing, but she could see from the look on Smith's face that he was surprised by Jack's tone.
"Well in that case," Jack said, his tone still conversational, "How about we go our separate ways? Let Carter get to her lab to play with some dohickies, and we start our tour."
"Colonel Carter is doing very important work General," Smith was quick to say, "Not playing."
He'd been looking at Jack as he spoke but now turned his gaze to Sam. When he saw that she wasn't looking the slightest bit offended, in fact, she had a slight smile on her face as she restacked her tray, Smith's face flushed red and he looked back to Jack sheepishly.
"I'm sorry sir," he began to say, but Jack waved a hand to stop him.
"It's ok General," Jack assured him, "And it's good to know that you'll defend your people."
"Generals," Sam said as she got to her feet, "I'll see you both later."
The two Generals both nodded as Sam headed to drop her tray off, only just stopping herself from trailing a hand over the back of Jack's neck and dropping a kiss on his head. She'd gotten so used to doing that when they'd been up at the cabin that it had become a habit. But it was a habit that would have blown their secret relationship well out of the water.
Sam made her way to her lab and quickly checked that everything was as it should be before she took a seat and started working through a report that one of the other scientists had written up. She didn't want to get too engrossed with anything while she was waiting on Jack and Smith to arrive.
When there was a knock at her door a few hours later, she called for them to enter as she saved her work and closed the lid of her laptop.
"Sirs," she greeted, getting to her feet as the two General's entered the room.
"Colonel Carter," Smith responded professionally.
"Carter," Jack replied with a smirk.
Sam glanced between the pair and quickly deduced that Jack had decided to be difficult during the first part of the tour.
She shook her head slightly before starting on the tour. They started in her lab, Sam giving an overview of all the projects that were being carried out at Area 51, which, as head of the researchers she knew all about. She made sure to keep it brief, to the point, and interesting, she knew how to keep Jack's attention, even when fully clothed.
Still, it took another few hours for Sam to give even the briefest of overviews. When she finished they all had a coffee before leaving Sam's lab and beginning their tour through the research facilities, and all the projects.
Smith hung back while Sam and Jack strode through, side by side, Sam explaining everything while Jack asked questions about all they were seeing.
Smith dropped further and further back until Jack paused and waited for him to catch up.
When she was back beside them Jack spoke. "I'm sure Colonel Carter can take it from here General Smith," he said conversationally, "I'm sure you have other things you'd rather be doing than playing tour guide." He'd almost said babysitter but decided at the last moment that that didn't really paint him in the best light.
"No sir," Smith replied quickly, "I mean I'm happy to continue showing you around."
"It's fine really Smith," Jack said, "I remember how stressful these visits are, both during and the setup, and I won't think any less of you if you wanted to take a break."
Smith still didn't look entirely convinced as he turned to Sam. "Would that be ok with you Colonel Carter?"
"Of course sir," Sam replied quickly, "I don't have any other pressing plans for today so I'm happy to continue with the itinerary."
Smith was still wavering but then appeared to come to a decision. "If you're sure it's ok sir," he said to Jack, "I would appreciate it. However, I believe lunch was our next stop so will you join me in my office first? Colonel Carter is also down to join us."
Jack thought for a moment before shaking his head. "If it's all the same to you General," he said, "I think I'd rather head into the mess, get a feel for how your staff work and behave."
Smith looked slightly panicked for a moment. One look at Jack's face however told him that he had absolutely no chance of changing his mind.
"Of course sir," he said eventually. He looked between the pair then continued to say, "In that case, I'll leave you to it, but please, if you need anything, come and find me." He saluted Jack sharply, Sam saluting quickly in return, while Jack moved more slowly. Smith then turned and walked away, heading back to his office.
Once he was out of earshot Jack let out a sigh. "What an ass kisser," he muttered, "And I'm not sure what I think of his leadership here. He seems like he's always preoccupied by something."
Sam hummed in response. "How much have you tortured the poor man today?" she then asked him in a quiet voice. When Jack didn't answer, just looked at his shoes, Sam had her answer. "Jack," she exclaimed, although her voice was still quiet, "That's just plain mean."
"Let's head back to the mess and discuss it en route?" Jack suggested.
Sam nodded and led the way.
"So what is he like as the base commander?" Jack asked as they walked.
"He's fine sir," Sam replied.
"Well that's glowing praise," Jack said sarcastically. Sam didn't answer so Jack continued. "He didn't seem to have the best grasp of everything that's going on here at the moment. Some of his answers were fantastic, I'll give them that, but others felt rehearsed and flat, and then there were somewhere he could only give non-answers."
"He hasn't worked a lot with scientists before," Sam said, "I think it's been a bit of a learning curve for him."
Now it was Jack's turn to hum.
They carried on walking in silence, Jack periodically brushing the back of his hand against hers as they walked, which was as close as they could get to showing affection for each other in the middle of a military base. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see that Sam had that tiny secret smile on her face that she'd always had when they were trying to hide their feelings for each other from the people around them, even before they'd actually gotten together.
Once they reached the mess, everyone saluting Jack as he walked through the door, which he quickly returned before telling them to return to what they were doing, they headed up to grab some food.
Once their trays were full Sam took them to one side and asked in a low voice, "So do you actually want to meet some of my colleagues or was that just an excuse to avoid lunch with Smith?"
"Meet your colleagues," Jack answered immediately, "I meant what I said about getting a feel for how Smith operates. Avoiding lunch with him is just a bonus."
Sam smiled at him. "He's not so bad," she said quickly.
"If you say so," Jack said, "But he isn't trying to brown-nose you." He glanced at her. "At least I hope he's not."
Sam laughed quietly as her eyes roamed the room. Finding who she was looking for she began to walk that way, Jack following along behind her.
"Would you mind if we joined you?" Sam asked the table as they got close.
The airmen all gave quick headshakes, although they did look a little shell-shocked.
Sam took a seat, Jack quickly sitting down next to her. "General, let me introduce you, this is Senior Airman Travis."