Letters From Home
Letters from Home
by Gategremlyn
Gen, angst, PG for a couple of bad words
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Posted in response to a Pentangular Gate challenge, Five things SG-1 did to cheer up Sam after she was removed from command of Atlantis.
http://community.livejournal.com/sg1_five_things/133738.html
Feedback always makes me smile!
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Sam rifled awkwardly through the stack of papers stuck in her hand by an SF she didn't recognize. He'd called her “ma'am” and quaked in his boots when he'd stopped her after the briefing. “Excuse me, Sir--Colonel--Ma'am.” Yep, she'd had a hard time keeping the smile off her face.
Her office looked pretty much the same as when she'd left it. Siler, she knew, had been guarding it-with a little help from Teal'c and Daniel, well, Teal'c mostly. Her equipment looked good and her stack of chocolate-she pulled open a drawer and triggered the false bottom-was empty except for a note with a smiley face on it in Daniel's handwriting. She'd have to plan payback, if only because she knew he'd expect it-and want it.
In the meantime, she dumped the papers on her desk to find the ones she was looking for. Daniel and Teal'c hadn't been there to meet her when she'd come through the 'gate. She'd tried not to show her disappointment; she knew they both had other responsibilities. They were probably off world somewhere, on an important mission, and they'd be in touch as soon as they got back. But she was sure they would've left her something in the meantime.
There they were. A handful of envelopes that weren't mission reports, interdepartmental memos, or the paperwork to make her a real person on earth again. She smiled, and then wrinkled up her nose. One of the notes...smelled. Sifting through them, she pulled out a pink envelope, a hot pink envelope that had been sprayed-liberally-with... perfume?
Vala. The letter was from Vala. Chuckling at the inscription on the front, “What took you so long, Sam?” she opened the envelope and pulled out a piece of matching pink stationery.
Samantha, Darling:
You have no idea how lonely I've been without you. How could you even think about leaving me here with all this testosterone-and no backup to watch my six (isn't that what they call it in the Army)? It's almost more than a girl can handle. I haven't been shopping in weeks, at least not with the same panache as when you were here. (Isn't “panache” a wonderful word? I found it on Muscle's Word-a-Day calender.)
We'll have to schedule a trip to the boutique-and maybe the spa. I just know you haven't had a decent facial since you left.
Mitchell's supposed to be taking me to his mother's so that she can teach me to make pie, something I've learned General O'Neill likes. Mitchell's been very irritating because he keeps telling me he's not taking me to “meet” his mother, he's just taking me there to make pie. I'm not sure what he's talking about, really, because I've already met his mother. He's almost as confusing as Daniel who absolutely refuses to go to Kansas to make pie-although he seems to know that the general enjoys it.
Kisses, you.
Vala
P.S. I put perfume on your letter because Daniel said he liked it on the letter I sent him from Kansas-the one I mailed before you got there; that he got when he got home. We'll pick up some more on our shopping trip.
More kisses!
Vala
Sam slid the letter back into the envelope and put it off to the side. She tried to pick a spot that was downwind. The next letter was from Cam addressed simply to Col. Carter.
Hey, Sam!
You're back? Is what I hear true? About damn time! I get the band back together and you're gone again. I'm going to have to nail your boots to the floor.
You know I never did buy you breakfast when you got back from the Prometheus so hows about you and me make it a date in about a week? Would you rather make it lunch? Supper? You name the meal, it's on my American Express.
Sorry I wasn't there, but hey, you know how that works. “Duty calls” and stuff like that.
Soon!
Cam
P.S. Now that you're back, can you save me from Vala?
Sam turned over the page looking for more, but that was it, a hastily written note stuck in a plain white envelope. Cam was on his own if for no other reason than that-but she would definitely take him up on dinner. She put the paper back in its envelope and reached for another.
Colonel Carter,
I am most anxious to see you again. I regret that I am unable to be at Stargate Command to welcome you home, but I will most certainly greet you as soon as I am able. I am currently charged with the task of training some very young recruits who, I am sure, have been sent to me by General O'Neill. He seems to feel it his duty to remind me that true warriors are not born but made-a sentiment I now regret sharing with him. Nevertheless, I look forward to hearing of your time away. While I have read the mission reports, I am sure they do not do justice to your time in Atlantis.
I have also procured several movies for our next “movie night.” Colonel Mitchell seems adamant that we engage in this practice as soon as it is possible for you to leave the base. Although Daniel Jackson does not believe it would be a good choice, I feel we should watch 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. But I will leave the choice to you. I have missed you, Samantha.
Teal'c
Sam blinked at the letter. The lines blurred and Teal'c's strong script wavered on the page for a minute. Folding the letter carefully, she put in its envelope and then found a seat on the most comfortable stool in her lab. She twisted it around a little, waiting for the familiar squeak, relieved to find it still there. With her feet, she pushed the stool back to the table. The next letter looked official in Pentagon stationery, although it must have been delivered by hand because there was no stamp on it. She pulled the letter out. Something dropped out of the envelope-a small shiny fishing lure which she picked up and placed on her desk.
Carter,
What the hell do you think you're doing leaving the best fishing in at least two galaxies? Oh, wait. I was the one who pulled some strings and got you brought back to the SGC. Never mind. Once Washington releases me from the funny farm they call Homeworld Security, I'll be at the mountain to debrief you in person. You know me, I'd rather talk face-to-face with someone than read a report. Yeah, fine, I'm looking for an excuse to come visit. At the moment, though, it's just too damn busy to sneak away. What I wouldn't give to be going through the Stargate again, or maybe I could take the truck and head to Minnesota. Do you think anyone would notice I was gone? Don't answer that.
Daniel tells me he's pretty thrilled you're back at the SGC. You know how he says it, with his hands waving around in the air (barely missed punching me in the eye). I don't think Landry wants you anywhere else and Mitchell would probably have a nervous breakdown if I told him you couldn't be a member of “the band.” Teal'c's still glaring at me for sending you to Atlantis in the first place. I'm beginning to feel threatened here, so for me-for the sake of my fragile health--see what you can do to stay put for a while.
Good to have you back, Carter. I'm buying the beer.
O'Neill.
Sam wanted the imported stuff, not the boring domestic stuff, she thought as she put the letter away. She wondered if they could time movie night for a time when the General was back in town? Maybe she could even have it at her place. It would be a good way to make it home again.
The last letter in the pile couldn't be from anyone but Daniel. His precise handwriting spread on the front of a heavy white envelope said simply, “For Sam.”
Dear Sam,
It's sure good to know you're back. Sorry I couldn't be there but when the military says jump you just say “how high.” But you know that, don't you?
I've still got your motorcycle in my garage; you're welcome to come get it anytime. I also grabbed the plants from your office after you left and put them in mine. I might have to get you a new philodendron, though. You want a couple of fish instead? I could set you up with a small aquarium if you want, and maybe a couple of goldfish.
Before you ask, no, I didn't take your stash of chocolate, but I can tell you that Sergeant Siler isn't anywhere near as innocent as he you might think he is. If you're looking for revenge, look in the right place. Get Siler! Teal'c did all he could to keep your hiding place secure, but you know Siler--he could reprogram the Stargate with that wrench of his.
I can't tell you what it means to me having you back. Mitchell's right: we keep the band together. Remind me to remind you to remind me that nobody leaves again, okay? Not to Atlantis, not to Area 51, nowhere but here. I've already spoken to Jack and to General Landry. It was more like “begged” but I think they got the idea.
Damn, it's been lonely around here without you. We've got so much to tell you! Teal'c's got all the base gossip, naturally, and Jack's got the Washington scoop. Vala's got all the tabloid info. She and Teal'c spend too much time together.
I really want you to see this translation I'm doing for SG12...but I'll wait at least until you've unpacked. We'll need to do a big housewarming party for the whole gang. What do you think? I'm not sure about who should cook Maybe we could do Chinese, or pizza. There's a new Italian place in town. What do you feel like? O'Malley's for some steaks and pool? I've been practicing and I'm ready to take you on for a game as long as we don't bet. Well, we'll work out the details.
The place just hasn't been the same without you. Can't wait to see you!
Daniel
Sam held Daniel's letter in her hand and squeezed it tight, not minding the creases in the paper. She didn't think she'd forget the words she'd just read. She couldn't wait to see all of them, to hug all of them.
Slowly, she pushed herself up from the stool. She needed to find her on base quarters. General Landry and that creep Woolsey wanted her to stay put for a days. Maybe a hot shower would make her feel more human again. Maybe the hot shower would give her a place to cry in peace. She didn't know who she missed more: the people she'd left on Atlantis or her teammates here. Whichever one it was, none of them was with her to help her get through the next few days as she adjusted to being Earthside and without her command. With a sigh, she gathered up her letters and left the rest of the papers. They would keep until tomorrow.
She walked out the door and stopped before she ran into the group of people blocking her way. “Excuse me--” In front of her stood four people she hadn't seen together in a year. She blurted out, “But I thought... In your letters you said....” and waved the handful of papers at them.
Vala, standing with an open cardboard box in her hands, said, “We lied.” She stuck her hands out. “I made pie, though.”
“You made pie?” Sam said faintly. She didn't even want to think about the first part--that they lied--that they set her up.
“And I brought chocolate,” Cam said. He held out the box, complete a bow, for her to see.
Sam narrowed her eyes to look at him at the mention of chocolate but didn't get to question him because Teal'c said, “I have a DVD for us to watch.”
“Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea,” Sam said with a nod.
Teal'c shook his head. “Sadly, I was unable to obtain that classic film. I am assured, however, that this film is an epic in its own right.”
“He brought Waterworld,” General O'Neill said. “Oh, and Daniel says I'm supposed to give you this philodendron.” He held out the small spindly plant for her to see.
“A philodendron? Isn't Daniel--”
The sound of running footsteps interrupted her. “I'm here,” Daniel said out of breath. “I had to put the fish in a bag to bring them. I was working on a translation--”
“For SG12,” Sam finished with him.
He grinned and held out a plastic bag to her. “When I got the call from the 'gateroom. Yeah. But I brought the fish. You'll have to help me with the aquarium.”
“What's say we take them up to the cabin and let them go,” Jack said.
“These aren't walleye, Jack, or catfish or something.” Daniel sounded offended. “They're angelfish.”
“They are indeed most beautiful, Daniel Jackson.”
“It would be my good deed for the day to let those little suckers go--”
“Catfish are good eating if you cook them right,” Cam cut in.
“I have never eaten catfish, Colonel Mitchell. Perhaps you could--”
“I've got pizza ordered for tonight, Teal'c. I'm buying. An SF will bring it down when it gets--”
“I even got Carter a lure to take to the cabin. We'll let them go and then take the rods and--”
“Jack, what makes you think any fish would bite that ugly lure--”
“Muscles, do you think I could get a couple of those for my room? Where did Daniel get them?” Vala leaned over to stare at the fish, almost tipping the pie out of the box in the process.
Sam reached forward to grab the bag from Daniel's hands. “Thank you,” she said loudly into the din. The voices stopped suddenly. “Thank you,” she said more softly, “for all the presents. It's very...”
“Us?” Jack O'Neill said with a shrug of his shoulders.
“Yeah.” Sam looked from one to the other. These weren't the faces she'd become familiar with in the last year: Shepherd, Teyla, McKay, Ronon, Radek, Keller, and all the other good people of Atlantis. These were faces that had aged in her year away, faces she would know anywhere.
Daniel held out his arms and pulled her in. “Welcome home, Sam.”
These were her team: her family.