Ouroboros - Chapter 5 (Sam/Daniel, PG-13)
-- Chapter Five --
Sam and Daniel pulled away from one another and got up off the floor. Sam smoothed down her uniform as Daniel ran a hand through his hair. He smiled at her, and she nodded. Daniel opened the door.
“What gives? Your door is never locked.”
“Sorry, Jack.”
“Where’s Carter? She was supposed to take you to the infirmary.”
“She did, Jack. Uh...” Daniel looked over his shoulder at Sam.
“I’m right here, sir.” Sam took a step forward so that she’d be in General O’Neill’s line of sight.
“Oh. Good. Listen...” He looked back and forth between Sam and Daniel, his eyes narrowing. “Why are you two grinning like that?”
Sam took a deep breath. “General, there’s something I need to tell you.”
“We need to tell you.” Daniel moved to stand closer to her.
She looked up at him and smiled. “Right.” Sam turned back to her commanding officer. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you about this for a while.”
General O’Neill crossed his arms over his chest and gave her an expectant look.
“In fact, I really should have talked to you about it when I was given command of SG-1.”
“What are you talking about, Carter?”
“Reassignment, sir.”
“What?” The General’s eyes widened.
“Sam, what are you-”
She raised her hand, silencing Daniel’s question. “It’s not appropriate for me to be the leader of SG-1 when I have such strong feelings for one of the people under my command.”
“Under your...what?” He stared at her for a moment in apparent shock. Then his expression hardened into a glare. "Who?”
Before Sam could answer, Daniel slipped his arm around her shoulders. It felt completely natural, and she couldn’t help but lean into him. She wrapped her arm around his waist, and they smiled at each other before they both turned back to General O’Neill.
The General’s jaw was slack, his eyes shifting back and forth between the two people before him. After a long moment, he stabbed a finger in Daniel’s direction. “You?”
“Jack, just let us explain,” started Daniel.
General O’Neill glared at Daniel before turning to Sam. “But when you came by the other day...” He narrowed his eyes at her. “What was that about?”
“I was trying to talk to you about being reassigned once Daniel came back. But, uh,” Sam shrugged. “We were interrupted.”
The General exhaled loudly and shook his head.
Sam frowned at his confused expression. “Why did you think I was there?”
“I-” His mouth opened and closed several times. Finally, he shook his head and took a deep breath. “It doesn’t matter.” General O’Neill fixed his glare again on Daniel. “How long has this been going on?”
“Um.” Daniel checked his watch. “About ten minutes.”
Sam couldn’t help but laugh, but one look from the General caused her to clear her throat and stare at the floor.
“Jack, I know this probably comes as a surprise, but-”
“Surprise? I don’t think surprise quite covers it, Daniel! How could y-” He broke off, and Sam glanced at him long enough to see the muscles in his jaw flexing.
The General was clearly upset. And he had apparently misinterpreted her reason for stopping at his house the other day. Maybe she had also misinterpreted the significance of Kerry Johnson’s presence. Sam winced inwardly. She was starting to have serious doubts that General O’Neill had moved beyond his feelings for her.
Daniel’s arm left her shoulders as he stepped forward. “Jack,” he said softly.
“Daniel!” The General raised a finger. “Just- Just be quiet a minute.”
Sam swallowed as her commanding officer turned to face the wall behind him. Daniel looked back at her, an apology on his face. She moved to stand next to him and placed her hand lightly on his back. He leaned into her touch, the corners of his lips turning up in a small smile.
“Oh, for crying out loud.” The General’s voice was very quiet.
They turned and saw him watching them.
“Sir,” Sam began.
“I always knew you two were close,” he said. “I just...I always thought of you as siblings.”
Sam felt her eyes widen as she gaped at the General. Daniel uttered a strange sound, and she looked at him, finding a look of shock on his face that undoubtedly matched her own.
“I’ve never thought of Sam as a sister, Jack,” he said slowly. Daniel turned to Sam, his expression was one she had seen many times before when he thought he might be talking to a crazy person.
She shook her head, agreeing with him. “Me neither.”
They both looked at the General again. He sighed. For a long moment, his eyes moved back and forth between Sam and Daniel. Sam was really starting to grow uncomfortable with the silence when, finally, General O’Neill spoke.
“How serious is this?”
“I’m in love with her, Jack,” Daniel answered. “I have been for a long time.”
His words made her heart sing, and she smiled up at him. Sam didn’t think she’d ever grow tired of hearing Daniel say that.
“Carter?”
She turned back to her commanding officer. “I feel the same way, sir.”
“Right,” he said slowly. “Well, obviously, you won’t be able to lead the team anymore.”
Sam nodded. “I’m aware of that.”
“And have you two decided how you’re gonna deal with that?”
“I wasn’t kidding about the ten minutes, Jack. This is all still pretty new.” Daniel shifted on his feet and Sam felt his arm brush hers. “We haven’t discussed any of what comes next yet.”
General O’Neill pursed his lips, studying them. “SG-1’s on stand down for a couple of weeks, so you’ll have some time to think about it.” He waved a finger back and forth between them. “I expect to be kept in the loop.”
Sam nodded. “Yes, sir.”
The General sighed again. “Okay. So, back to why I came here in the first place. We saved the galaxy. Again. And Daniel’s come back from the dead. Again. These are things the four of us need to celebrate.” He leaned against a corner of Daniel’s desk, crossing his arms over his chest. “Next week, after the funeral, I thought we could all get together. A little pond, a little fishing, a little quality time together without the fate of the world looming over our heads.”
“Wait,” said Daniel. “What funeral?”
The General raised his eyebrows. “You didn’t tell him?”
Sam closed her eyes and didn’t answer. She felt Daniel’s hand touch her shoulder.
“Sam?”
She drew a deep breath and met his eyes with a weak smile. “Dad died.”
“Oh God, Sam.” He pulled her into a warm hug. Her arms wrapped around his waist, and she rested her head on his shoulder.
Daniel’s hands moved in soothing circles over her back. Although she wanted to stay in his embrace forever, Sam pulled away.
“I really think I’m okay,” she said. “We got to say goodbye.”
His eyes searched hers, and she gave him a small smile, trying to show him that she was telling the truth. She had closure. She was okay.
The General cleared his throat rather loudly. “I’ve got some paperwork to do.”
“Jack.”
“Daniel.” General O’Neill turned to face them again. “Not right now,” he said evenly. Then, with a final look at Sam and Daniel, he left.
“That didn’t go quite as well as I had hoped.”
Daniel was staring at the doorway. “He’ll be okay. Jack just needs some time to adjust.”
Sam nodded as he turned to face her.
“You sure you’re okay?” he asked.
She looked up at him. Her father had died, but not before they’d had the chance to tell each other the things that needed to be said. She was sad and missed him, but she was okay.
And Daniel was back. And he loved her.
That simple fact made it quite clear to Sam that Daniel really didn’t hold her responsible for her Replicator double’s actions. She couldn’t understand why, but she wasn’t about to argue the point with him.
Daniel’s hands rested lightly on her shoulders and then trailed down her arms, taking her hands in his. She smiled at him and squeezed his fingers reassuringly. “Yeah, I’m okay,” she said.
--
Telling Mark about their dad was one of the hardest things Sam had ever done. The Tok’ra had taken her father’s body for their own ceremony. But the Air Force gave him a hero’s funeral a few days later. Daniel’s solid and reassuring presence beside her silently strengthened her throughout the ceremony. Mark and his family had made the trip. He was both saddened and surprised at their dad’s death.
“The cancer came back,” she told her brother.
Mark shook his head in disgust. “I never really understood how he could have had such a miraculous recovery in the first place.”
“It was very sudden.”
“What was dad really doing?”
Sam just sighed.
“I’m not an idiot, Sam. I know the ‘deep space radar telemetry’ stuff is bull.”
“Mark,” she warned. They had both grown up knowing that military ‘need-to-know’ secrets were a way of life. She knew he understood; he just didn’t like it.
He ran a hand through his hair and looked back at the funeral crowd that was starting to break up. “At least tell me why the President is here.”
“Dad’s a hero. He saved a lot of lives,” she said softly. It was the truth, and it was also vague enough so that she wasn’t releasing classified information. She hoped he would leave it at that.
Thankfully, Mark stepped forward and pulled her into a hug. “I’m sorry, Sammy. I’m just angry. He came to see us the other day. He didn’t even tell me he was sick again,” he whispered.
“I know. It was a surprise to me, too.” Over her brother’s shoulder, Sam saw her teammates standing not far away. She smiled at them and they approached.
Her brother pulled away as Daniel, General O’Neill and Teal’c arrived.
“Mark, I’d like you to meet my friends and teammates. They’ve all worked with dad.” Sam gestured at the men in the order they stood next to her. “This is Doctor Daniel Jackson, General O’Neill and Teal’c.”
“We are very sorry for your loss,” said Daniel, extending his hand to shake Mark’s.
The General followed suit. “Jacob was a good man.”
“Indeed,” said Teal’c, bowing.
Mark nodded his thanks. They all spoke briefly about unimportant things before her brother excused himself. He gave Sam a goodbye kiss then went to find his wife and children.
As she walked back toward their car with the three men who knew her better than anyone, the day’s emotions started to catch up with her. She sighed and stared at the grass passing under her feet.
Daniel’s shoulder bumped hers. She looked over at him but was surprised to see him looking the other direction. Sam leaned forward slightly to look around him and saw General O’Neill thrust his chin in her direction before he nudged Daniel so that his shoulder again touched hers. Still, Daniel remained turned the other way. After a moment, the General gave him a small nod before looking forward again as they continued toward the car.
Daniel turned to Sam and smiled softly. Then he put his arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. The General’s acceptance coupled with the funeral for her father threatened to overwhelm her. She squeezed her eyes closed, leaning into Daniel’s embrace, trying to hold back her tears. A calming pressure on her shoulder opened her eyes. She looked up at Daniel gratefully. Then, wrapping her arm around his waist, she smiled.
--
Sam watched as General O’Neill cast his fishing line out into the pond. She had to admit it: this place was beautiful. It had been four days since her dad’s funeral, and during that time, the General’s attitude toward Sam and Daniel had become more and more relaxed. She was relieved that the change in their relationship wouldn’t strain the friendship they’d shared for so many years.
“This is great,” she said. It was nice to get away from the non-stop demands of the SGC once in a while.
“I told ya!” the General said.
“I can’t believe we didn’t do this years ago.”
“Yes, well. Let’s not dwell.”
Sam stared out at the water for a moment, watching as the General reeled his line back in. They hadn’t been here long, but had yet to even get a nibble. Sam glanced at her commanding officer and realised something. “There are no fish in this pond, are there?”
“No.”
She looked over at him, laughing. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Daniel and Teal’c round the corner of the cabin, approaching them. She turned back to the pond as General O’Neill cast his line back out again. It went farther than last time.
“Nice!” he said.
Sam finished reeling in her line and smiled. Her next cast went only about ten feet from the end of the dock - about a third the distance of the General’s - but it was still her personal best. Footsteps approached down the dock, stopping just behind them.
“Hey, thanks!”
Sam looked over to see Daniel handing General O’Neill a bottle of beer. He offered her another one. She smiled and shook her head. Daniel shrugged, setting the second bottle on the dock next to the General. Then he moved to stand in front of her.
With a playful smile, he took her fishing rod and set it on the dock beside her. “Let me sit there.”
After a quick glance to where Teal’c was sitting, Sam raised her eyebrows and pointed over her shoulder. “You have your own chair!”
“Yeah, but I want to sit there.”
“Well,” she said, grinning. “That’s just too bad.”
“Oh, really?” Daniel took a quick step forward and sat on her lap.
Sam squealed with laughter and swatted at his back. “Okay, okay! Get off!”
Daniel stood and grinned as Sam got up off the chair.
“Bully,” she said with a pout, punching him lightly on the shoulder.
Daniel grabbed her around the waist to pull her onto his lap. “That’s more like it,” he said as he rested his cheek on her shoulder.
Sam looked down at him and tapped his nose with her finger. “You’re lucky you’re cute, Doctor Jackson.”
He just grinned and nuzzled her neck.
“Oh, for crying out loud. You two are gonna scare the fish.”
Sam looked at her commanding officer and was happy to see that he was failing to hide his smile. “What fish, sir?” she asked.
“That’s not the point.”
“There are no fish?” Daniel frowned at the pond. “Then what are you doing, Jack?”
“It’s the act of fishing that’s important. Fish really have nothing to do with it.”
“Clearly.” Daniel gave Sam a lopsided grin.
“I don’t know what we were thinking, General.” Sam grinned back at Daniel. He tightened his arms around her, pulling her in for a tender kiss.
Sam trailed her fingers over the side of his face, relaxing into his strong arms, losing herself in the kiss. When they parted, she rested her cheek on the top of his head and sighed happily. “This is great,” she said again. This trip was exactly what she needed.
--
“Alright! Time for supper.” General O’Neill stuck his head in the fridge and started handing things to Teal’c. The Jaffa dutifully piled the items on the counter.
“Carter, Teal’c, you two see if you can turn this stuff into a salad or something.”
Teal’c eyed the vegetables that the General had brought. “Do you wish a salad with all of the small musical instruments?”
General O’Neill blinked at him for a moment before groaning. “Honestly, Teal’c. Eight years! You’ve been here eight years. It’s bells and whistles!” The General picked up a package of steaks and the bowl of potatoes, heading for the door. “Daniel, grab the beer. You’re with me.”
“Well,” Sam said after they left, picking up a head of lettuce. “This shouldn’t be too bad.”
“Indeed.” Teal’c pulled a large salad bowl out of a cupboard and set it on the counter.
Sam washed the lettuce and began tearing it into the bowl. “So, Jaffa High Council, huh? That’s pretty exciting.”
“It is a great honour. My only regret is that it will require me to leave the Tau’ri.”
She smiled. “We’ll miss you too, Teal’c.”
He looked up from the carrots he was chopping and bowed his head. “I am pleased to see that you and Daniel Jackson have progressed to the next logical step in your relationship.”
Sam had finished with the lettuce and was about to start slicing some radishes. She looked up at her friend in surprise. “What do you mean ‘next logical step’?”
“I have been aware for some time that your feelings for each other went beyond those of simple friendship.”
She stared at him as he concentrated on cutting perfect circles of carrot. Then, she laughed. “Of course you have. You know, Teal’c, sometimes I forget how observant and insightful you really are.” She shook her head and returned her attention to the radishes. “For all your stoic silence, you notice everything, don’t you?”
Teal’c glanced at her, a silent eyebrow raised, and Sam grinned.
“Although, I gotta say, it seems like everyone knew how I felt about Daniel except the General.” Sam looked toward the window briefly and then chuckled. “And, of course, me.”
“I believe it is said that it is often difficult to see the forest for the trees.”
“Good point.” Sam laughed. “And well said!” She studied Teal’c for a moment, realising something else. “Wait a minute. All of your misunderstandings of Earth’s cultural references and sayings... Those are intentional, aren’t they?”
If she hadn’t known the Jaffa for eight years, Sam would have missed the subtle change in his expression. Her eyes widened. “I knew it! It’s your idea of funny, isn’t it? Making the General explain your ‘mistakes’ all the time.”
“Indeed.”
Sam threw her head back, laughing.
“I request that you do not inform O’Neill of your discovery, Colonel Carter.”
“Are you kidding? This is the funniest thing I’ve heard in ages. I’m not about to ruin it! Your secret’s safe with me, Teal’c.”
They continued assembling the salad, and Sam turned to look out the window to where General O’Neill and Daniel were talking near the barbeque. As they spoke, the General poured some more beer onto the steaks he was cooking and glanced briefly in the direction of the cabin.
“I wonder what they’re talking about.”
“I suspect that you are the topic of conversation, Colonel Carter.”
She sighed. “Yeah, I was afraid of that.”
(Continued...)
Sam and Daniel pulled away from one another and got up off the floor. Sam smoothed down her uniform as Daniel ran a hand through his hair. He smiled at her, and she nodded. Daniel opened the door.
“What gives? Your door is never locked.”
“Sorry, Jack.”
“Where’s Carter? She was supposed to take you to the infirmary.”
“She did, Jack. Uh...” Daniel looked over his shoulder at Sam.
“I’m right here, sir.” Sam took a step forward so that she’d be in General O’Neill’s line of sight.
“Oh. Good. Listen...” He looked back and forth between Sam and Daniel, his eyes narrowing. “Why are you two grinning like that?”
Sam took a deep breath. “General, there’s something I need to tell you.”
“We need to tell you.” Daniel moved to stand closer to her.
She looked up at him and smiled. “Right.” Sam turned back to her commanding officer. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you about this for a while.”
General O’Neill crossed his arms over his chest and gave her an expectant look.
“In fact, I really should have talked to you about it when I was given command of SG-1.”
“What are you talking about, Carter?”
“Reassignment, sir.”
“What?” The General’s eyes widened.
“Sam, what are you-”
She raised her hand, silencing Daniel’s question. “It’s not appropriate for me to be the leader of SG-1 when I have such strong feelings for one of the people under my command.”
“Under your...what?” He stared at her for a moment in apparent shock. Then his expression hardened into a glare. "Who?”
Before Sam could answer, Daniel slipped his arm around her shoulders. It felt completely natural, and she couldn’t help but lean into him. She wrapped her arm around his waist, and they smiled at each other before they both turned back to General O’Neill.
The General’s jaw was slack, his eyes shifting back and forth between the two people before him. After a long moment, he stabbed a finger in Daniel’s direction. “You?”
“Jack, just let us explain,” started Daniel.
General O’Neill glared at Daniel before turning to Sam. “But when you came by the other day...” He narrowed his eyes at her. “What was that about?”
“I was trying to talk to you about being reassigned once Daniel came back. But, uh,” Sam shrugged. “We were interrupted.”
The General exhaled loudly and shook his head.
Sam frowned at his confused expression. “Why did you think I was there?”
“I-” His mouth opened and closed several times. Finally, he shook his head and took a deep breath. “It doesn’t matter.” General O’Neill fixed his glare again on Daniel. “How long has this been going on?”
“Um.” Daniel checked his watch. “About ten minutes.”
Sam couldn’t help but laugh, but one look from the General caused her to clear her throat and stare at the floor.
“Jack, I know this probably comes as a surprise, but-”
“Surprise? I don’t think surprise quite covers it, Daniel! How could y-” He broke off, and Sam glanced at him long enough to see the muscles in his jaw flexing.
The General was clearly upset. And he had apparently misinterpreted her reason for stopping at his house the other day. Maybe she had also misinterpreted the significance of Kerry Johnson’s presence. Sam winced inwardly. She was starting to have serious doubts that General O’Neill had moved beyond his feelings for her.
Daniel’s arm left her shoulders as he stepped forward. “Jack,” he said softly.
“Daniel!” The General raised a finger. “Just- Just be quiet a minute.”
Sam swallowed as her commanding officer turned to face the wall behind him. Daniel looked back at her, an apology on his face. She moved to stand next to him and placed her hand lightly on his back. He leaned into her touch, the corners of his lips turning up in a small smile.
“Oh, for crying out loud.” The General’s voice was very quiet.
They turned and saw him watching them.
“Sir,” Sam began.
“I always knew you two were close,” he said. “I just...I always thought of you as siblings.”
Sam felt her eyes widen as she gaped at the General. Daniel uttered a strange sound, and she looked at him, finding a look of shock on his face that undoubtedly matched her own.
“I’ve never thought of Sam as a sister, Jack,” he said slowly. Daniel turned to Sam, his expression was one she had seen many times before when he thought he might be talking to a crazy person.
She shook her head, agreeing with him. “Me neither.”
They both looked at the General again. He sighed. For a long moment, his eyes moved back and forth between Sam and Daniel. Sam was really starting to grow uncomfortable with the silence when, finally, General O’Neill spoke.
“How serious is this?”
“I’m in love with her, Jack,” Daniel answered. “I have been for a long time.”
His words made her heart sing, and she smiled up at him. Sam didn’t think she’d ever grow tired of hearing Daniel say that.
“Carter?”
She turned back to her commanding officer. “I feel the same way, sir.”
“Right,” he said slowly. “Well, obviously, you won’t be able to lead the team anymore.”
Sam nodded. “I’m aware of that.”
“And have you two decided how you’re gonna deal with that?”
“I wasn’t kidding about the ten minutes, Jack. This is all still pretty new.” Daniel shifted on his feet and Sam felt his arm brush hers. “We haven’t discussed any of what comes next yet.”
General O’Neill pursed his lips, studying them. “SG-1’s on stand down for a couple of weeks, so you’ll have some time to think about it.” He waved a finger back and forth between them. “I expect to be kept in the loop.”
Sam nodded. “Yes, sir.”
The General sighed again. “Okay. So, back to why I came here in the first place. We saved the galaxy. Again. And Daniel’s come back from the dead. Again. These are things the four of us need to celebrate.” He leaned against a corner of Daniel’s desk, crossing his arms over his chest. “Next week, after the funeral, I thought we could all get together. A little pond, a little fishing, a little quality time together without the fate of the world looming over our heads.”
“Wait,” said Daniel. “What funeral?”
The General raised his eyebrows. “You didn’t tell him?”
Sam closed her eyes and didn’t answer. She felt Daniel’s hand touch her shoulder.
“Sam?”
She drew a deep breath and met his eyes with a weak smile. “Dad died.”
“Oh God, Sam.” He pulled her into a warm hug. Her arms wrapped around his waist, and she rested her head on his shoulder.
Daniel’s hands moved in soothing circles over her back. Although she wanted to stay in his embrace forever, Sam pulled away.
“I really think I’m okay,” she said. “We got to say goodbye.”
His eyes searched hers, and she gave him a small smile, trying to show him that she was telling the truth. She had closure. She was okay.
The General cleared his throat rather loudly. “I’ve got some paperwork to do.”
“Jack.”
“Daniel.” General O’Neill turned to face them again. “Not right now,” he said evenly. Then, with a final look at Sam and Daniel, he left.
“That didn’t go quite as well as I had hoped.”
Daniel was staring at the doorway. “He’ll be okay. Jack just needs some time to adjust.”
Sam nodded as he turned to face her.
“You sure you’re okay?” he asked.
She looked up at him. Her father had died, but not before they’d had the chance to tell each other the things that needed to be said. She was sad and missed him, but she was okay.
And Daniel was back. And he loved her.
That simple fact made it quite clear to Sam that Daniel really didn’t hold her responsible for her Replicator double’s actions. She couldn’t understand why, but she wasn’t about to argue the point with him.
Daniel’s hands rested lightly on her shoulders and then trailed down her arms, taking her hands in his. She smiled at him and squeezed his fingers reassuringly. “Yeah, I’m okay,” she said.
--
Telling Mark about their dad was one of the hardest things Sam had ever done. The Tok’ra had taken her father’s body for their own ceremony. But the Air Force gave him a hero’s funeral a few days later. Daniel’s solid and reassuring presence beside her silently strengthened her throughout the ceremony. Mark and his family had made the trip. He was both saddened and surprised at their dad’s death.
“The cancer came back,” she told her brother.
Mark shook his head in disgust. “I never really understood how he could have had such a miraculous recovery in the first place.”
“It was very sudden.”
“What was dad really doing?”
Sam just sighed.
“I’m not an idiot, Sam. I know the ‘deep space radar telemetry’ stuff is bull.”
“Mark,” she warned. They had both grown up knowing that military ‘need-to-know’ secrets were a way of life. She knew he understood; he just didn’t like it.
He ran a hand through his hair and looked back at the funeral crowd that was starting to break up. “At least tell me why the President is here.”
“Dad’s a hero. He saved a lot of lives,” she said softly. It was the truth, and it was also vague enough so that she wasn’t releasing classified information. She hoped he would leave it at that.
Thankfully, Mark stepped forward and pulled her into a hug. “I’m sorry, Sammy. I’m just angry. He came to see us the other day. He didn’t even tell me he was sick again,” he whispered.
“I know. It was a surprise to me, too.” Over her brother’s shoulder, Sam saw her teammates standing not far away. She smiled at them and they approached.
Her brother pulled away as Daniel, General O’Neill and Teal’c arrived.
“Mark, I’d like you to meet my friends and teammates. They’ve all worked with dad.” Sam gestured at the men in the order they stood next to her. “This is Doctor Daniel Jackson, General O’Neill and Teal’c.”
“We are very sorry for your loss,” said Daniel, extending his hand to shake Mark’s.
The General followed suit. “Jacob was a good man.”
“Indeed,” said Teal’c, bowing.
Mark nodded his thanks. They all spoke briefly about unimportant things before her brother excused himself. He gave Sam a goodbye kiss then went to find his wife and children.
As she walked back toward their car with the three men who knew her better than anyone, the day’s emotions started to catch up with her. She sighed and stared at the grass passing under her feet.
Daniel’s shoulder bumped hers. She looked over at him but was surprised to see him looking the other direction. Sam leaned forward slightly to look around him and saw General O’Neill thrust his chin in her direction before he nudged Daniel so that his shoulder again touched hers. Still, Daniel remained turned the other way. After a moment, the General gave him a small nod before looking forward again as they continued toward the car.
Daniel turned to Sam and smiled softly. Then he put his arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. The General’s acceptance coupled with the funeral for her father threatened to overwhelm her. She squeezed her eyes closed, leaning into Daniel’s embrace, trying to hold back her tears. A calming pressure on her shoulder opened her eyes. She looked up at Daniel gratefully. Then, wrapping her arm around his waist, she smiled.
--
Sam watched as General O’Neill cast his fishing line out into the pond. She had to admit it: this place was beautiful. It had been four days since her dad’s funeral, and during that time, the General’s attitude toward Sam and Daniel had become more and more relaxed. She was relieved that the change in their relationship wouldn’t strain the friendship they’d shared for so many years.
“This is great,” she said. It was nice to get away from the non-stop demands of the SGC once in a while.
“I told ya!” the General said.
“I can’t believe we didn’t do this years ago.”
“Yes, well. Let’s not dwell.”
Sam stared out at the water for a moment, watching as the General reeled his line back in. They hadn’t been here long, but had yet to even get a nibble. Sam glanced at her commanding officer and realised something. “There are no fish in this pond, are there?”
“No.”
She looked over at him, laughing. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Daniel and Teal’c round the corner of the cabin, approaching them. She turned back to the pond as General O’Neill cast his line back out again. It went farther than last time.
“Nice!” he said.
Sam finished reeling in her line and smiled. Her next cast went only about ten feet from the end of the dock - about a third the distance of the General’s - but it was still her personal best. Footsteps approached down the dock, stopping just behind them.
“Hey, thanks!”
Sam looked over to see Daniel handing General O’Neill a bottle of beer. He offered her another one. She smiled and shook her head. Daniel shrugged, setting the second bottle on the dock next to the General. Then he moved to stand in front of her.
With a playful smile, he took her fishing rod and set it on the dock beside her. “Let me sit there.”
After a quick glance to where Teal’c was sitting, Sam raised her eyebrows and pointed over her shoulder. “You have your own chair!”
“Yeah, but I want to sit there.”
“Well,” she said, grinning. “That’s just too bad.”
“Oh, really?” Daniel took a quick step forward and sat on her lap.
Sam squealed with laughter and swatted at his back. “Okay, okay! Get off!”
Daniel stood and grinned as Sam got up off the chair.
“Bully,” she said with a pout, punching him lightly on the shoulder.
Daniel grabbed her around the waist to pull her onto his lap. “That’s more like it,” he said as he rested his cheek on her shoulder.
Sam looked down at him and tapped his nose with her finger. “You’re lucky you’re cute, Doctor Jackson.”
He just grinned and nuzzled her neck.
“Oh, for crying out loud. You two are gonna scare the fish.”
Sam looked at her commanding officer and was happy to see that he was failing to hide his smile. “What fish, sir?” she asked.
“That’s not the point.”
“There are no fish?” Daniel frowned at the pond. “Then what are you doing, Jack?”
“It’s the act of fishing that’s important. Fish really have nothing to do with it.”
“Clearly.” Daniel gave Sam a lopsided grin.
“I don’t know what we were thinking, General.” Sam grinned back at Daniel. He tightened his arms around her, pulling her in for a tender kiss.
Sam trailed her fingers over the side of his face, relaxing into his strong arms, losing herself in the kiss. When they parted, she rested her cheek on the top of his head and sighed happily. “This is great,” she said again. This trip was exactly what she needed.
--
“Alright! Time for supper.” General O’Neill stuck his head in the fridge and started handing things to Teal’c. The Jaffa dutifully piled the items on the counter.
“Carter, Teal’c, you two see if you can turn this stuff into a salad or something.”
Teal’c eyed the vegetables that the General had brought. “Do you wish a salad with all of the small musical instruments?”
General O’Neill blinked at him for a moment before groaning. “Honestly, Teal’c. Eight years! You’ve been here eight years. It’s bells and whistles!” The General picked up a package of steaks and the bowl of potatoes, heading for the door. “Daniel, grab the beer. You’re with me.”
“Well,” Sam said after they left, picking up a head of lettuce. “This shouldn’t be too bad.”
“Indeed.” Teal’c pulled a large salad bowl out of a cupboard and set it on the counter.
Sam washed the lettuce and began tearing it into the bowl. “So, Jaffa High Council, huh? That’s pretty exciting.”
“It is a great honour. My only regret is that it will require me to leave the Tau’ri.”
She smiled. “We’ll miss you too, Teal’c.”
He looked up from the carrots he was chopping and bowed his head. “I am pleased to see that you and Daniel Jackson have progressed to the next logical step in your relationship.”
Sam had finished with the lettuce and was about to start slicing some radishes. She looked up at her friend in surprise. “What do you mean ‘next logical step’?”
“I have been aware for some time that your feelings for each other went beyond those of simple friendship.”
She stared at him as he concentrated on cutting perfect circles of carrot. Then, she laughed. “Of course you have. You know, Teal’c, sometimes I forget how observant and insightful you really are.” She shook her head and returned her attention to the radishes. “For all your stoic silence, you notice everything, don’t you?”
Teal’c glanced at her, a silent eyebrow raised, and Sam grinned.
“Although, I gotta say, it seems like everyone knew how I felt about Daniel except the General.” Sam looked toward the window briefly and then chuckled. “And, of course, me.”
“I believe it is said that it is often difficult to see the forest for the trees.”
“Good point.” Sam laughed. “And well said!” She studied Teal’c for a moment, realising something else. “Wait a minute. All of your misunderstandings of Earth’s cultural references and sayings... Those are intentional, aren’t they?”
If she hadn’t known the Jaffa for eight years, Sam would have missed the subtle change in his expression. Her eyes widened. “I knew it! It’s your idea of funny, isn’t it? Making the General explain your ‘mistakes’ all the time.”
“Indeed.”
Sam threw her head back, laughing.
“I request that you do not inform O’Neill of your discovery, Colonel Carter.”
“Are you kidding? This is the funniest thing I’ve heard in ages. I’m not about to ruin it! Your secret’s safe with me, Teal’c.”
They continued assembling the salad, and Sam turned to look out the window to where General O’Neill and Daniel were talking near the barbeque. As they spoke, the General poured some more beer onto the steaks he was cooking and glanced briefly in the direction of the cabin.
“I wonder what they’re talking about.”
“I suspect that you are the topic of conversation, Colonel Carter.”
She sighed. “Yeah, I was afraid of that.”
(Continued...)