"Time to sleep now, sweetheart," Sam whispered, gently kissing her daughter's forehead as she closed the book they had just finished reading.
Grace nodded, her gaze lingering for a moment on the solar system painted on her bedroom ceiling by Liz. "Mommy," she murmured, snuggling closer to Sam, "my new room is so cool."
Sam hugged her little girl tenderly and kissed her hair, inhaling the comforting scent. "I'm glad you love our new house, Pumpkin. No regrets?"
"None at all, Mommy!" the little girl sighed, nestling even closer.
Sam looked up at the galaxy painted on the ceiling, her daughter fast asleep against her, and allowed her mind to wander to all that awaited them in the coming weeks.
It had taken three months for her and Liz to organize the move. Selling Liz's shares in her tattoo shop had been the easiest part. Sam had then informed her Pentagon boss that she was leaving, though wrapping up her assignments and organizing a handover had taken two months. Those two months had also allowed her to dive into Catherine's files to prepare as best as she could for her new position.
Another month was necessary for the two friends to find a rental house conveniently located for both—close to downtown for Liz and the military base for Sam. Finally, an additional two weeks were spent coordinating the move.
Jacob had offered to take care of Grace for a few days so Sam could handle the move stress-free. Tonight marked the little girl's first night in their new home. Despite their complicated past, Sam had to admit that her father had been a tremendous help since Grace's birth. During those few days, she had also finalized Grace's enrollment in a new school.
Once she was sure her daughter was deep in the arms of sleep, Sam carefully extricated herself and tiptoed out of the room to join Liz in their new living room.
The house they had found was spacious enough for all three of them and even included an office for Sam, already filled with books and files for her new job.
Entering the living room—a bright space with large windows and a stone fireplace—Sam collapsed onto the couch next to Liz with a heavy sigh. Liz, busy flipping through channels, turned to her with a grin.
"I wonder why we bothered getting this fancy TV package," she grumbled playfully. "All these channels and nothing worth watching." Tossing the remote at Sam, she jumped up. "Here, you find something. I'll grab the wine!"
A few minutes later, the two of them were settled in front of a film, each with a glass of wine in hand. Liz pretended to follow the story for a few minutes before turning to her friend.
"You okay?" she asked in a casual tone.
Sam nodded, not hiding her unease. "I think the last time I was this stressed was… when I decided to have Grace."
"Well, that was a pretty big decision," Liz said with a soft smile, recalling the time.
Sam mirrored the smile, remembering the challenges and triumphs before Grace's birth. She sipped her wine and allowed herself to sink into the movie. The rest of the evening passed in lighthearted chatter and critiques of the film. Before long, the two friends retired to their respective bedrooms for the night.
The next day, after dropping Grace off at her new nanny's, Sam and Liz headed to the new tattoo studio. With Sam's new job starting in a few days, the two wanted to take advantage of their free time to repaint the studio in a style that reflected Liz's personality.
Elizabeth had found the space after an exhaustive search. She had fallen in love with it and posted an ad to share the rent with another tattoo artist. One applicant had stood out: Mason Reed, an independent tattooist moving to Colorado Springs to be closer to his family.
When they finally arrived at the storefront, Liz unlocked the door with a quick flourish, her keys jangling. She pushed the door open and stepped inside, throwing her arms in the air triumphantly.
"Welcome to my lair!" she declared with a beaming smile, stepping aside to let Sam enter.
The space was bathed in soft natural light streaming through a large bay window overlooking the street. The once-white walls bore traces of time and abstract murals left by previous tenants. A series of hanging lights cast intriguing shadows on the walls, lending the space a raw, artistic ambiance.
The polished concrete floor added an industrial edge that Liz loved immediately. A long wooden table, abandoned in a corner, looked like it had been used as a workspace by the previous artist. Toward the back, a small room separated by a glass partition served as a private area, likely for sessions requiring more discretion.
Liz moved through the space, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Look at this, Carter! That wall over there? I'm going to hang my framed sketches. And over here? A gallery of tattoo photos!"
Sam smiled, amused by her friend's enthusiasm. "It already feels like you, Liz. But…" She pointed to a damp spot in the corner of the ceiling. "What's your plan for that?"
Liz shrugged. "Details. I'll get the landlord to fix it. But seriously, this place has so much potential!" She spun around, arms wide, then abruptly stopped. "Oh, and check this out."
She approached a heavy wooden door at the back of the space and opened it to reveal a small outdoor courtyard. "Tada!" she exclaimed. "Perfect for coffee breaks in the sun, right?"
Sam nodded, impressed. "It's perfect, Liz. You're going to crush it here."
As they returned to the main area, a deep, warm voice echoed behind them.
"Liz Owski, I presume?"
Both women turned to see a man in his thirties, tall and athletic, with tousled brown hair and a lopsided grin, standing in the doorway. He held a portfolio under his arm and a worn leather bag slung over his shoulder.
Liz raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "And you are?"
"Mason Reed. Your soon-to-be professional roommate, if I recall correctly." He extended a hand, his gaze playful.
Liz crossed her arms, smirking. "Mason Reed, huh? I liked your portfolio, but I was expecting someone… more serious."
Mason laughed, a deep, warm sound that filled the room. "I know, I don't look like much. But I promise, I'm the perfect partner. Professionally speaking, of course."
Sam, who had remained silent until now, exchanged a knowing look with Liz before clearing her throat. "I'll leave you two to talk. Liz, I'm right next door if you need me." She slipped away discreetly, an amused smile playing on her lips.
Liz turned her attention back to Mason. "Alright, Reed. Impress me. Why Colorado Springs? Why here?"
He shrugged, his smile softening slightly. "Family, for starters. My father's had a few health issues, and I wanted to be closer. And this place? It has character, just like me." He glanced around the studio. "I figured we might get along—me and the place."
Liz tilted her head slightly, intrigued despite herself. "Interesting. But working here means accepting my rules."
"And what are those?" Mason asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Don't be a pain in the ass. And always keep the coffee pot full."
He laughed again, raising a hand in mock oath. "Deal."
Liz, still cautious, felt a faint thrill of excitement. There was something about this guy's energy that appealed to her, even if she wasn't ready to admit it.
A few days later, Sam took a deep breath before pushing open the door of the small café where she had arranged to meet Catherine. The place, nestled in the heart of Colorado Springs, exuded a warm atmosphere with its exposed brick walls and the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee lingering in the air.
Catherine was already seated at a table near the window, a cup of tea in her hands and a welcoming smile on her face. Sam joined her quickly, setting her bag down beside the chair.
"Thanks for making the time to see me, Catherine," Sam said as she sat.
"It's always a pleasure to see you, Samantha," her mentor replied, nodding slightly. "I had a feeling you'd have some questions after diving into the files. So, how are you feeling about this big change?"
Sam took a moment to reflect before responding. "Honestly? Torn. I'm excited about the possibilities, but also a little… intimidated."
Catherine nodded in understanding. "That's normal. Taking over the scientific department at the SGC is no small feat. But I wouldn't have offered you the position if I didn't think you were the best person for the job."
Sam offered a grateful smile before posing the question that had been nagging at her. "And General O'Neill? I've read a lot of reports about him, but… he's still a mystery. I've heard he's not particularly… fond of scientists."
Catherine let out a light laugh, her expression softening. "It's true that Jack can be… direct. He has his own way of doing things. But don't believe all the rumors. He appreciates excellence, whether it comes from a scientist or a soldier. He'll test you, that's for sure, but once he sees what you're capable of, he'll back you without question. He has a soft spot for brilliant minds, even if he'd never admit it."
Sam raised an eyebrow, still unconvinced. "And is he often away?"
Catherine nodded. "He's on a mission right now. Interplanetary business, no less. Afterward, he's planning to spend a few days with his wife. Jack's a married man, and despite his responsibilities, he always tries to find balance. But you'll meet him soon. In the meantime, use this time to settle in and get to know the rest of the team."
Sam toyed with the spoon on her coffee saucer, her thoughts swirling. "And you? Doesn't it bother you to leave it all behind?"
Catherine's face softened, almost nostalgic. "It's been an honor working with this team. But it's time for me to pass the torch. And if I'm being honest… I'm curious to see what you, Samantha Carter, will accomplish."
A brief silence fell, broken by the server who brought them a cake to share. They exchanged smiles as they dug in.
Finally, Catherine placed a gentle hand on Sam's. "Don't worry about Jack. He's a bit gruff, but he's one of the best officers I've ever worked with. He has his reasons for being the way he is, but he knows how to recognize talent. Focus on your work, and everything will fall into place."
Sam nodded, reassured by her mentor's words, though a lingering curiosity still tugged at her mind. What kind of man was this general that so many people admired? She would find out soon enough.