A/N : Hi everyone,
This is it. I give a try and publish this story. I don't know yet how many chapters it will be made of. I will update it each time I finish a chapter.
English is not my native language so I hope it will be easy to read and above all, understandable.
Please feel free to make any useful and constructive comment if I make a mistake.
I hope you'll enjoy this story as much as I take pleasure to write it.
I do not own Stargate franchise, just enjoy playing with this universe.
Have a good time and thanks for reading.
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Chapter 1
- At ease.
All the people around the table sat down following General Hammond's lead. Uncharacteristically, the blinds were down, making it impossible to see the stargate.
- Anything particular, Sir? Are we to meet some fancy and oh so interesting politicians?, Colonel O'Neill asked.
He heard some very light chuckles coming from behind him where his 2IC was seating and across the table Daniel giving him what should have probably been a stern look.
- Well, I'm really sorry to disappoint you, Colonel…, the General began while not looking sorry at all., no politician today.
- Oh… It's… sad… really, Sir., O'Neill answered.
It didn't give any hint for the reason why the blinds were down but he decided against pressuring his commanding officer in that manner of him.
- I imagine it is, Colonel. Well, if I all asked you to come, it's for informing you of something that will impact your team, Colonel. SG-1 will be assigned a fifth member, well somehow., the senior officer told them.
He saw the four standing straighter at the news as he had thought they'd do. He remained calm, his steady gaze going to one and another.
- A… fifth member, Sir? Well, we're doing pretty well, just the four of us., O'Neill said in a defensive stance.
He was pretty pissed off that the General didn't tell him before. It was highly unusual coming from him and given their relationship.
- I know, Colonel.
- All the SG teams are four-member team, Sir. So why…, the Colonel tried to understand.
- Where is the order coming from?, Daniel asked, pushing his glasses higher on his nose.
They knew other forces existed that were trying to pry some hold on their operations. Did they have to be cautious around that new member?
- The order is coming from the JCS, Doctor Jackson. Well, to be clearer, you'll still go off-world just the four of you., Hammond said.
It seemed to calm them down a little but the frowning on Colonel O'Neill and Daniel's faces made it clear it also brought some other questions. On the other side, Teal'c acted as usual, showing no emotions and Major Carter kept a blank face except for the shade of her eyes that showed her confusion.
- Okay… So why number five?, Colonel O'Neill asked., Maybe I should say four and a half…
- Five, Jack. Lieutenant…
An airman arrived just as he was saying this.
- Sir, your appointment arrived., he told him.
Hammond made a sign for him to have his appointment come in.
- Well, Sir, with all due respect, I wish I could have chosen him on the base of what was expected., O'Neil said, hardly keeping his annoyment at bay.
- I know you don't like it, Colonel, but you may change your mind on the base of previous experiences., Hammond answered him, giving a pointed look towards Sam.
Both Colonel and Major exchanged a look, repressing smiles while they remembered their first encounter in this same room. Daniel and Teal'c had only heard about the story.
- Well, I guess I may… So where's he transferring from?, O'Neill asked.
- Please don't tell me Pentagon. That would so feel like a déjà-vu., he whined.
- Something against Pentagon, Sir?, Carter asked, gleeful eyes on him.
- The building is pretty impressive but…, he began.
- Colonel… Can we have the meeting back on tracks, please?, Hammond summoned sternly, seeing someone's shadow in the doorway.
- Come on in, Lieutenant.
They all turned to look at a young woman in her dress blues heading to face the General. Blond, green eyes, pretty young girl showing some confidence. That felt oh so like a déjà-vu. Really, if she challenged him to arm-wrestling or made a speech about their genital parts, he would go and search for proof of the prank.
- General Hammond, sir., she acknowledged, saluting him respectfully.
- Lieutenant. This is Colonel O'Neill, Major Carter, Doctor Daniel Jackson and Teal'c., he introduced them to her.
- Nice to meet you, Sir, Ma'am, Doctor, Mister Teal'c., she told them, saluting them.
- So Carter… how many more ?, Colonel O'Neill asked.
- Sir ?, she answered dumbfounded.
- How many more members do you have on that little club of yours ?, he precised, cocking an eyebrow.
- My little club ?
- You know, the one gathering other…, he omitted the words « pretty », « beautiful », « sexy » that came in his mind, well… you know, blond smart military and scientific women ?
He saw the amused spark in her eyes and repressed a smile.
- Colonel O'Neill…, General Hammond called him sternly.
- Sorry Sir… I was just… curious.
He knew he was on the verge of breaking some rules, that the young female lieutenant could try to bring his ass up to a court for sexual harassment but he had just been unable to keep his mouth shut.
- Lieutenant Charlotte O'Neill from Area 51.
- Lieutenant Charlotte… O'Neill…, Jack whispered.
Every little trace of his witty sense of humor wasn't just tamed. They all but vanished into thin air under the weight of painful memories. It was quite unreal to hear a first name so close to the one his son has worn with his own last name.
- Yes, sir. People are used to call me Charlie though. So it's up to you., she just said, thinking that he may be one of these men that weren't at ease with a military woman.
She couldn't ignore the stares people around her exchanged nor the tension that lifted up even more all of the sudden. So did the General who decided it was better to bring them back on their meeting rather than let them dwell on that unlucky fact. He could see the blank stare his 2IC had and how unsettling it was for the young officer in front of him, still waiting for him to acknowledge her salute. He could only appreciate her strength while she was staying still under the very dark gaze. That gaze was unsettling for most people.
- At ease, Lieutenant. Everyone sit down., he ordered, bringing them back to reality.
Lieutenant O'Neill went to seat behind Samantha and directed her attention on the General.
- Lieutenant O'Neill here is assigned to SG-1 from Area 51. She will act as liaison officer between the SGC and her base to help speeding up projects Major Carter is working on. The JCS thinks it will be more effective this way than simply having her exchange by mail or phone. Major, any question?, he asked Sam.
- It was something I asked for a long time ago, Sir, so I'm glad it's finally effective., she told him.
Just like the Colonel, she would have preferred to have a say in the choice of the liaison officer she would have to work with but it would have to do.
- Shouldn't you have been consulted before? Wouldn't you have preferred someone with more… experience?, Colonel O'Neill asked with a harsh tone.
- Lieutenant O'Neill, may you please brief them on your… experience, please?, General Hammond asked her, sending a warning glance at his 2IC.
Jack got it even if ignored it. He had to get over his initial shock. He couldn't let her name unsettle him as it had done. He would probably meet her a lot in the future.
- Well, she trailed.
She cast a nervous glance towards the woman next to her and then the others before taking a breath to steady her voice, hoping no one would see nothing else but a confidence she didn't really feel.
- I joined the army, USAF, at seventeen. Got degrees in reverse engineering and nanotechnology applied to biology at twenty and twenty-one and was sent to area 51 after a brief trip in war zone at twenty-two., she explained briefly.
- War zone didn't suit you, Lieutenant?, O'Neill asked, turning his head to look at her.
He had to find something to hold onto the fact he disliked her. It should justify his will to stay far away from her even though she was supposed to work with Sam so he shouldn't see her that much. He saw her lips forming a tight line but she didn't answer.
- Lieutenant O'Neill has nothing to be ashamed of about her time in war zone, Colonel O'Neill., Hammond intervened dryly.
- How old are you?… If I err… may…, Daniel asked out of curiosity.
- Turning twenty-four in a few weeks, Doctor Jackson., she answered, waiting for another comment about her young age now.
She was so used to it… and so fed up too.
- Daniel… You can call me Daniel., he offered, willing to balance the really cool welcome she received from his friend.
- Thank you, Doc… Daniel., she answered, smiling sincerely.
- I've been studying your reports and then worked on them during most of the time I was at Area 51, Major Carter. I can imagine you were not waiting for a junior like me but I will do my best to be as useful as I can be, Ma'am., she pleaded to Sam.
- I'm sure we will make it work efficiently, Lieutenant., Sam answered, ready to give her a chance.
She knew what it was like to be sent to a place you were not wanted. It was hard on anyone and even more on a young woman eager to prove herself.
- I have no doubt about that, Major, Lieutenant. Your priorities have been set on working on the next generation of gliders and the spaceship that will follow Prometheus., he informed them.
- But Prometheus isn't finished yet, is it? Did I miss a memo?, O'Neill asked, brows furrowed.
- Would it be the only memo you missed, Colonel?, Hammond chuckled, imitated by Daniel while Sam chewed on her lip to not do it.
- Well… the only one I would be aware of, Sir… I guess., Jack answered bravely.
- I have not read such a memo, O'Neill., Teal'c just said matter-of-factually.
- So I didn't miss it. Am I the only one here who does not understand why we're working on a new ship whereas the first one is still to be finished?, O'Neill insisted.
- Actually, Sir. Prometheus was designed a few years ago. It takes time to go from drawing the plans to build the ship. As you know, we haven't stopped bringing new technologies from our trips. We found ways to integrate some of them in the design of the Prometheus but couldn't for others that would be very useful. So we are already working on the plans for a second spaceship., Carter explained to him.
- And I guess you are part of the design team as though you had some time to spare…, he just said, looking at her with a stern look.
She knew that look, the one saying "and when do you rest?", and she just smiled at him sheepishly before diverting her gaze. It was just part of her job… and moreover she found it really funny.
- Well, I've been asked to relieve Major Carter from her function in SG-1…, the General told them.
Everyone looked at him in disbelief, even Teal'c. No one had heard about that and no one was ready to see their team apart. They still had so much to do with the Goa'uld.
- No way, Sir!, O'Neill shouted, raising on his feet, sharpness stilling his traits.
- We need her with us. She is too valuable for…, he explained to his CO, knuckles white from the tight grip he had taken on the edge of the table.
- Easy, Colonel. Take your seat and calm down, son., Hammond summoned him.
Jack stared at him fiercely for a few seconds before obeying. He slumped onto his chair and waited for the General to talk. He wouldn't be surprised if he was to follow his CO in his office for a private talk after the end of this meeting. He had already crossed the line a few times in the last hour…
- I know the importance Major Carter has for the SGC and your team, Colonel, but you must also be aware of her value to the research done at Area 51. We cannot ignore that without her insight, we would be far behind the point we have reached., the older man stated.
- With Doctor Jackson, they are the two people that brought us this huge progress.
- Well, we were not alone…, Daniel said after pushing his glasses up his nose once more.
Charlotte O'Neill looked at the two people and saw the same thing : even if they were acknowledged as the foremost experts in their fields, they were both also very humble about it. Some people back at Area 51 should take after them, she thought, thinking of a certain preposterous man who was regularly going under her nerves.
- Well, you both act as models for lots of people I know., she couldn't prevent her from saying.
- Sorry, Sir. I didn't mean to interrupt., she excused herself to the General.
- It's alright, Lieutenant., he excused her.
- General, sir. How is that supposed to work?, Carter asked.
- Will I be on stand down for a certain period?
- No, Major. The lieutenant here is assigned full-time at the SGC. She is meant to be here to work with you whenever it is possible, work as a liaison officer with the technicians at Area 51 and go there when you're not on Earth if needed. Otherwise, she will stay and work as the both of you convene on the projects. You won a personal assistant, Major., he summarized.
- So, she is not to go off-world at all., O'Neill concluded.
Hammond looked at his 2IC, trying to determine his position about this new recruit so as to give the more appropriate answer to alleviate any doubt anyone around the table might have.
- Well, she is not meant to do so given the current orders, Colonel. As you are nonetheless fully aware, orders can evolve at any time. Lieutenant?, Hammond asked, seeing the woman almost ready to jump on his Colonel.
- Permission to speak freely, Sir?, she asked him, reigning visibly on her temper.
- Granted, Lieutenant., he authorized her, putting a hand over his mouth to hide the smirk he couldn't repress.
This felt also like a déjà-vu for him and, as he had granted some leeway to O'Neill before, he gave it to her ready to appreciate how she might defend her case against her namesake.
- I can assure you, Sir, I would be perfectly able to hold my own if I was to go off-world. I have the same training as everyone in here or in the USAF, have to keep myself in good shape even if I spend most of my time behind a desk or hovering above some alien technology you brought back and, if you still have some doubts about it, I can tell you when I go to the gym. I would be more than willing to show you how I can kick some ass., she scolded.
- Now, I hope your skepticism has nothing to do with my gender or my being a scientist. If so…, she went on, her temper flaring.
- I think we get it, Lieutenant. Let's consider this matter settled., the General cut her, raising his hand.
- Yes Sir. Sorry Sir., she mumbled begrudgingly.
- Well, Lieutenant…, O'Neill began, ready to answer to her to make his point.
- Colonel, the matter is settled. This so feels like déjà-vu…, Hammond sighed.
Daniel frowned, Teal'c's eyebrow shifted slightly and Carter smiled mischievously. O'Neill slumped into his chair.
- I think we're all done here. Major, you may want to make a tour of the facility with Lieutenant O'Neill. Dismissed., he ordered them, raising and leaving the room to his office.
To Jack's surprise, Hammond didn't call him in. He waited a little more before following his male teammates, seeing the two women a few feet ahead of them.
- So Jack…, Daniel's voice trailed, looking at him a bit anxiously.
- Daniel?, he answered him, playing dumb while he had a perfect idea of what he wanted to talk about.
- How are you?
- Fine and you?
- Jack…, Daniel scolded, frustrated.
- Her name's Charlie O'Neill., the archeologist stated as if it said it all… and it did.
- No. Her name is Charlotte O'Neill., Jack corrected him with a cold tone.
Daniel and Teal'c exchanged a quick glance and silently decided to give up the subject for now. They would give him time to deal with it.
- Did you see? It's O'Neill with two Ls., Daniel noted, quite amused.
- Really?, Jack said, knowing it was.
- Must have as many O'Neil with one L as O'Neill with two Ls., he argued, hoping he would drop it.
- Yeah, must have… but she didn't feel the need to emphasize it., the younger man pointed out.
- Well, let's hope there's not another Charlotte O'Neil in the US army., Jack mumbled.
That would just be his luck… Of all the people on Earth, he would have to meet two other Charlie O'Neill, or O'Neil… As if he needed someone to remind him of his late son…
- She may exist but that young, military and scientist, I guess not., Daniel thought out loud.
- Yeah, great… Just keep reminding me I have to live with another geek around me… as if two were not enough… Just great… an extra fifty percent technobabble. Just great!, he shouted, lifting his hands in the air.
- Well, technically, there are still only twenty-four hours a day, so…, Daniel began before stopping himself.
He was just digging his own grave so preferred not to go on.
- So?, Jack insisted.
- Nothing. Drop it. I don't remember what I was saying., Daniel opposed to him.
- You were saying…, Teal'c tried to help him.
- It was not important., the archaeologist cut him, throwing him a pointed look.
Teal'c leaned slightly his head and let go, following O'Neill that had decided to have some lunch… just because he didn't know what else he could do.
He was not in a mood to read the reports on his desk. Maybe it would be a good idea to go to the gym and sweat off a part of his feelings but he felt exhausted after having had to face again the pain of Charlie's death. He had seen all the images floating before his eyes from the laughing boy to the little crumpled bloodied corpse. The third option would be to go and harass Carter, trying to disturb her and have her smile at him but there was a slight problem with that plan : She would be there and he didn't feel like chatting with Her. He should probably at some point get his poor ass over there and apologize for his poor behavior but not now. He needed to process her arrival and the feelings linked to it. Maybe in a few days…
They were seating at a table when they saw Carter coming their way. She set her tray next to his and sat down.
- Where is Lieutenant O'Neill?, Daniel asked, surprised to see her alone.
- She had to fix some personal issues. Said she would be back in half an hour. I guessed I would find you there and decided to join you., Sam answered.
- Are you satisfied with your new assistant, Major Carter?
- Well, it's a little early to say so, Teal'c, but she seems…, she said looking quickly at her CO., level-headed, straightforward and dedicated. We should get along. I hope our competences will be as complementary as necessary to develop the projects faster.
- Not a little nervous to have someone else playing with your doohickeys, Carter?, O'Neill finally said, with some humor in his voice.
- Well, I'll learn to share and I'll tell her what I don't., she told him mischievously.
And for a second, a certain intensity surrounded the both of them that made them looked away from each other.