President Samantha Carter would have given almost anything to be able to book a Swiss chalet for the weekend and enjoy the Alps a bit longer. Spring had nearly transitioned to summer, even in the famous ski destination, and the green mountain landscape called to her far more enticingly than the duties which awaited her at the White House.
Not to mention Joe…
Despite their original plans for the trip, she'd come alone. Though Joe would have smiled and looked good on her arm, she needed it known to the whole world that this treaty had been her accomplishment. Not Joe's.
In fact, he'd been against it, thinking that the French couldn't be trusted to hold up their end of the deal. She'd pushed for it all the same, and though it had taken some convincing, she'd even gotten him to help her corral the French into their rightful place as a signatory.
He really was a great ambassador, and he would have made a wonderful president. She just couldn't have him or anyone else believing that she was some mindless drone. There were enough assumptions in the world about women being less than what they were, and if any other woman was to rise to this appointed office in the future, Samantha Carter had to make it clear that she was the woman who had made these things happen. Not her husband.
That didn't mean that this newfound courage of hers wasn't taking its toll, though. She felt like her marriage was slipping away, dying ever so slowly, and she didn't know what to do to revive it.
Or even if she wanted to.
"Madam President," one of her aides said as they walked into the room.
She looked away from the window, knowing that if the Secret Service had any idea how close she was to an open window that overlooked a street, she would be in for a lecture about her safety.
All she really wanted was a little fresh air. Something to remind her that there was life outside the bounds of her office.
"They're ready to sign the treaty?"
There was a moment's hesitation, bringing the president's attention squarely to the aide. "Something wrong?"
The vaguely familiar young woman shook her head. "Good luck today, Madam President."
Sam's brow furrowed though she nodded her thanks for the well wishes.
She thought she knew everyone on the White House aide list, but the days were starting to blur together. The truth was, she didn't have the bandwidth in her brain to keep track of the things other people took for granted. She was usually too consumed with memorizing speeches, digesting domestic and international incident reports, and strategizing the next step in her presidential agenda to think much about anything else.
And then, of course, there was the stargate.
One more thing that would playing in the back of her mind.
Despite all the fanfare, signing the Planetary Protection Treaty was somewhat uneventful. She went around and chatted with all the people her Chief of Staff guided her to. She wasn't naive, she knew that favors had been traded for these moments, and though it still sickened her that deals like this were made behind the backs of the American people, she also wasn't one to break her word.
Even if that word had been passed around like currency.
She relaxed for a few moments as the Secret Service guided her to her limousine. At least she might be able to get a few minutes of rest before she got on the plane and had to deal with the press and other people who had traded favors to get on the plane.
Her Chief of Staff moved to get in the limo with her, and she put a hand on his chest. "It's a five minute drive to the airport. I need a few minutes."
Looks were passed between the staff before he nodded. "We need to start planning how to use this political capital to push through the rest of our agenda," he said, his tone serious.
She patted his chest again, trying to paste on a smile for the cameras that were still flashing all around her. "I know. But let's talk about this on the plane, hm?"
She slipped into the limo, surprised by the small box on the seat. A more genuine smile touched her lips as she opened it to find exquisitely made Swiss chocolates. She wasn't one with a massive sweet tooth or anything, but the only thing better than a few more days in the Swiss Alps would be a moment of bliss as she savored one of the delectable chocolate truffles.
Joe had probably sent them, hoping to let her know how proud he was. How much he wanted to fight for them.
At this moment, in the quiet of her own thoughts, she was a little more inclined to let her defenses down. Things might change by the time she got home, but right now, she missed having a partner who would help her celebrate her greatest accomplishments. Someone she could dance with and laugh with at these stuffy state functions.
Someone who was a little more free to prepare the perfect plate of all her favorite foods when she was being passed around the room without thought to her own needs.
Without her asking, the partition between the cab and the back closed as if the driver could recognize that what she needed was some peace and quiet.
She reveled in it as she reached for the chocolate and placed it on her tongue. The rich velvety milk chocolate was cut a little with swirls of white chocolate. There was also a hint of something in there. Almond?
It was the definition of perfection.
And her moment of relaxation gave her body and mind permission to close her eyes and enjoy a moment of peaceful respite.
"We're here, Madam President."
Feeling more rested than she should have after such a short drive, Samantha Carter stretched. "I don't think even I realized how tired I was," she said with a laugh.
Then, her brain recognized the voice and her eyes snapped up to the driver's as he looked through the partition at her. His cowlicked gray hair made her heart skip a beat. One that she would never admit to in a million years.
"General O'Neill," she whispered, her throat tight. "What's going on?"
With a face that was dark with something like regret and eyes that couldn't quite meet hers, she could guess. He was here to make sure that the timeline was made right.
She managed to keep her voice even. "You drugged the chocolate?"
When he still didn't respond, she realized she'd hit the jackpot with her deduction again.
Unexpected betrayal rose in her throat. "I thought I could trust you."
His lips thinned. "I told you that if there was even a chance my kid was alive in that other timeline…"
She blinked away tears as she looked out the window of the limo to see a sturdy, hand hewn cabin high in the Alps serving as the backdrop to the four visitors who had come into her office three months ago.
She let her eyes flutter closed. Whatever she might have thought of them before, she had to give them credit. It took guts and damn impressive skills to kidnap the president of the United States.