Changing Lives 41/55 (Sam/Janet femslash) Stargate SG-1
"Cass? Cass?" Anna nudged her gently. "It's time to wake up sweetheart."
Cassie mumbled incomprensibly.
"Cassandra?" Anna's tone became stricter. "Come on, hon, we can't stay in bed all day."
Cassie opened one eye and smiled. "Can't we?" she asked, her voice still croaky from sleep. "Now that's what I call a damned shame!"
Anna laughed. "It's 9.30am," she scolded. "We've got to get up, showered, have breakfast and pick up Mum, Dad and Izzie at their hotel by 11.30am. And don't forget we promised Sam we'd give Toby a good long walk this morning before we go out."
Cassie looked at her watch blearily. "We've really got to start going to bed earlier," she muttered.
"We were in bed before 10pm last night," Anna reminded her with a smile.
"Oh yeah," Cassie remembered, smiling back. "Well we've really got to start going to sleep earlier then!"
Anna grinned, and leant down, kissing Cassie very softly. "If I remember correctly, Miss Fraiser," she said in a mock-strict tone, "you showed very little interest in sleeping last night."
Cassie grinned widely. "It's all coming back to me now," she said. "Well sometimes I have different priorities!"
"C'mon," Anna pulled at her arm, "we've got to get moving."
"Suppose we skipped breakfast?" Cassie suggested, a coy look on her face. "That'd save us about 20 minutes, wouldn't it? And your parents are taking us all to lunch, so we're gonna eat soon anyway."
Anna grinned. "I suppose you're right about that."
"And," Cassie went on, "and this is just a suggestion. Suppose you went to get them on your own, while I walk Toby. That'll save another, what, 40 minutes? The restaurant's near here anyway, it's not as if you'll be going out of your way to pick me up on the way back."
Anna knew exactly where this was leading. "Uh huh," she agreed, "so just what do you propose we do with the hour that we've saved?"
"Oh I don't know," Cassie replied, reaching up and unbuttoning Anna's pajama top. "I suppose we could probably think of something. If we concentrated real hard."
Anna squeaked as Cassie's hand found its target. "We'd better get thinking then, huh?" she said.
= = =
After that first morning when Vala told Sam about her relationship with Daniel, and about Daniel's memories of the alternate timeline, the two couples became even closer. Daniel had long been a good friend of both Sam and Janet, but that was as a single man. The dynamic changed with Vala in the mix, but for the better. Vala was a kook, granted, but deep down she was also kind and gentle, and when she loved, she loved fiercely.
Almost immediately after Vala got together with Daniel, Sam noticed a softening in her approach. She was still funny, and sometimes confrontational, but she was also more settled, quieter and easier to communicate with. Vala took to dropping in on Sam in her lab most mornings before she started work. Sam always arrived a good hour before Vala, and she started to look forward to her private coffee delivery; Vala never appeared without an offering of caffeine.
Sam was touched by Vala's openness when she told her how much it meant to her, being in love, and feeling secure with Daniel. Sam realized that it was probably the first time in her life that she had felt completely safe. When she discussed it with Janet, Janet reminded her that Vala always appeared strong and self-sufficient on the outside, but she had been through some terrible ordeals, not least having to give birth to Adria and the traumas that followed. "She's got to have baggage, honey," Janet pointed out, "and maybe at last she's able to lower some of her defenses. She's good for Daniel, huh?"
Sam nodded and smiled. "Yeah, she really is," she said. "It's kinda weird, 'cos in some ways they're so different. But they just... work together somehow."
= = =
"That was a great lunch, Roy, thank you," Cassie said to Anna's father as they climbed out of the car back at the house.
"It was my pleasure, Cassandra," Roy replied warmly. "It's just good to see you two girls with such good appetites."
Cassie had to school her face to a neutral expression, making absolutely sure that Anna didn't catch her eye.
"Cassie?" Izzie asked her 'sister-in-law'. "Is it okay if I check my emails?"
"Of course it's okay," Cassie said. "Come through to the study. Sam's got a new Mac, it's super fast, you'll love it." And she and Izzie went through to the study.
Cassie led Izzie to a chair in front of the computer, and she started it up, launching the browser. "You should be able to get into your email from there, Iz," she told her. "Want me to help?"
Izzie smiled and shook her head. "No, that's okay, I should be able to do it."
Cassie couldn't contain a wide smile of pride. Impulsively she hugged Izzie. "I don't think there's anything you can't do, if you put your mind to it," she said. "You're amazing, Izzie."
Izzie smiled back. "I like to do things if I can," she explained. "Sometimes I take a long time to do them, though."
Cassie put her hand on Izzie's shoulder. "Well there's no hurry to do anything today, Iz," she said softly. "You just take your time. Your Dad wants to wait until Sam gets home from work anyway, there's something he wants to ask her about carburetors!"
Izzie laughed.
Anna appeared at the door shortly afterwards, carrying three mugs precariously balanced. "Tea!" she declared, handing over two of the mugs and settling herself on the small couch in the corner of the room. "Did you hear from your friend Clara?" she asked Izzie.
"Yes," Cassie replied. "There's an email here from her. She says she's having a great holiday with her family. She says she sent us a postcard. I suppose it'll be at home when we go back?"
Anna nodded. "Yes, it should be there by the time you return. Anything interesting from anyone else Iz?"
Izzie shook her head. "I don't think so," she was painstakingly checking her inbox. "Oh," she said, surprised. "There's one from John at work."
A few minutes later, Izzie cried out in distress.
"What is it Izzie?" Cassie was the first to reach her. "Is everything okay?"
Izzie looked up at her, tears in her eyes. "They're shutting the care home," she said. "In three months. The place where I work." And a single tear rolled down her cheek.
"Oh Iz, I'm so sorry," Cassie hated seeing the distraught look on her face. "C'm'here," and she wrapped her arms round the girl, looking up in anguish at Anna. She felt inadequate, and didn't know how to comfort the young woman.
"I'll get Mum," Anna mouthed, disappearing from the room.
Cassie tightened her grip on Izzie. "It'll be okay," she said soothingly, not knowing if that was true or not. "You'll get another job."
Izzie nodded. "I know," she said miserably. "But I'll miss them. The residents. They're so kind and lovely. Well," she grimaced, "all except Betsy, that is. Betsy's mean. But the others, where will they go? What will they do? Who's going to look after them? Who's going to make sure that Mary's tea is really hot and strong, just how she likes it? Or that Ben won't eat his vegetables if they've touched the meat? Will they be okay?" and she looked up trustingly into Cassie's face, and started to cry in earnest.
"Oh sweetheart," Cassie held her close. "We'll make sure they go somewhere nice. We'll phone, and email, we'll check they're doing okay."
"We can go and visit too, Isabella," Carolyn had entered the room and crouched down by her daughter. "And if you think there's anything wrong with where they are, we'll kick up an almighty stink and we'll fix it. I promise you."
Izzie looked at her mother. "You promise?"
"I certainly do," her mother replied. "It'll be alright Izzie."
"I'll have to find a new job," Izzie sounded morose.
"Yes, you will," Carolyn replied. "About that Izzie. Your Dad and I have been talking."
"What about?" Izzie wanted to know.
"All sorts of things," Carolyn replied. "About Cassie, for one."
Cassie looked startled; Anna stepped behind her and wrapped her arms round her from behind.
"What about Cassie?" Izzie asked.
"You like Cassie, don't you?" Carolyn questioned Izzie.
"Yes!" Izzie replied firmly. "I like her a lot. I love her. She's kind. And she's pretty. And she makes Anna so happy," she smiled. "Not like Tina. I want Cassie to be my sister."
"She's going to be your sister," Anna told her. "Once we're married, it'll all be legal. We'll all be related."
"That makes me happy," Izzie said.
Carolyn smiled at her daughters. "Your Dad and I love Cassie too," she said gently. "And now we've got to know Sam and Janet, we love them too. But there's only one problem." Izzie looked up. "And that's distance," Carolyn continued. "Cassie and Anna have decided to settle over here, and that's great. It's a wonderful place to live, and we know that Sam and Janet will look after them. But Roy and I were thinking. You know your Dad's just retired, don't you Izzie?"
Izzie nodded.
"And I'm writing books now," Carolyn went on. "So we were thinking. There's nothing keeping us in England really. And it would be great for my writing if we could live somewhere rural, peaceful. So we wondered what you'd think if we came over to live near here? Maybe near the lake or something? Somewhere close enough so you could get a bus to the town for work, but far enough out we can enjoy the peace? What do you think?"
Izzie beamed with delight. She leapt up out of the chair, and flung her arms round her mother. "I think it's a great idea," she said enthusiastically. "When can we move?"
Carolyn laughed. "It'll take time to sort out. And we haven't asked Anna and Cassie what they think?"
"I think it's the best news I've heard for a long time!" Cassie exclaimed, and was thrilled to see the expression of delight on Anna's face. "We both love the idea, don't we Annie?"
Anna nodded, too moved to speak. She went over and pulled her mother and sister into a hug. "Neighbors," she said, "we'll be neighbors."
= = =
"Black, strong, no sugar," Vala handed over Sam's coffee with a flourish. "Just how you like it colonel,"she grinned.
"Actually I like it with milk," Sam smiled, taking the proffered cup.
"I know," Vala winked, "I was just kidding. The coffee's white."
Sam grinned, taking a deep draught of the liquid.
"So what's new?" she asked Vala. "Did you and Daniel go out last night?"
Vala shook her head. "He had to go visit an old college friend yesterday," she said. "Overnight. He'll be back here in," she looked at her watch, "about 93 minutes."
Sam smiled. "You've got it bad, haven't you?"
Vala smiled in reply. "Actually," she said, looking thoughtful. "If I'm honest, I've never felt this way about anybody before. I mean, there have been a few men along the way, of course there have. And some of them I was real fond of. But Daniel. Daniel's different. For the first time, I don't feel I need anything but him. He makes me feel... wanted. I don't think I've ever really felt that before."
Sam put her hand on Vala's arm. "That's so great, Vala," she said softly. "You two are great together. Daniel's never looked so happy either," she said. "You're just what he needs."
Vala smiled again. "Thank you Samantha," she said sincerely, "you don't know what that means to me. Anyway," she changed the subject. "What you working on today?"
Sam's face lit up; she loved any excuse to talk technobabble to anybody who would listen -- and not many people did listen as most knew they had no chance of keeping up with her. "It's a new shield generator," she told Vala. "It's portable, which is the most important thing. The main problem we have right now is speed. So far, we've managed to cut the generating time down to eight seconds, but of course that's far too long. Somehow, if I can develop a power source that is sufficiently small but which can generate a faster burst of energy.... Vala?" Sam saw her friend turn suddenly pale, and clutch at the wall. "Are you okay?"
"M'okay," Vala said unconvincingly. "I just.... oh God," she clamped her hand over her mouth and bolted to the nearest bathroom which, fortunately, was only just along the corridor.
Sam sprinted after her, but when she heard retching noises from within, she tactfully held back. After a few minutes, the noises subsided, and she heard the toilet flush. She knocked gently on the door. "Vala? Can I come in?" At that moment, a pale and shaken Vala emerged from the stall.
"Sorry," Vala said thickly. "Must have eaten something that disagreed with me. Same thing happened yesterday too, I've got to be more careful what I eat."
Sam put a gentle arm round her shoulders, and was concerned to realize she was trembling. "I think we should drop in at the infirmary, don't you? Just to be sure?"
Vala was about to protest, but saw the firm look on Sam's face. "Okay," she agreed reluctantly. "But I'm not wearing one of those gowns that shows your butt to everyone, okay?"
"Okay," Sam smiled. "It's a deal. The doctor's a friend of mine," she winked at Vala, "I think we can probably negotiate."
= = =
Janet looked up as she heard a knock on her office door. "Sam!" she exclaimed. "Vala, are you okay?" she saw Sam's arm round Vala's shoulders.
"Vala's not feeling great," Sam said. "I told her you'd have her back on her feet in no time."
Janet led Vala to a chair. "We'll certainly do what we can," she brushed the hair from Vala's face.
"I'll wait for you outside," Sam said to Vala.
"No," Vala said. "I want you to stay. Will you stay Samantha?"
"If you're sure?" Sam didn't want to intrude. "I don't want to get in the way."
"I want you here," Vala insisted. "Please?"
"Okay, then," Sam drew up a chair. "I'll be here for as long as you want me."
Janet took Vala's blood pressure, and checked her heart rate. "So what's going on with you Vala?"
"I threw up," Vala said miserably.
"Just now?" Janet asked.
"Yeah," she agreed.
"And yesterday," Sam prompted gently.
"Oh yeah, and yesterday. But I felt better later, I'm sure it's nothing. I'll be fine," Vala said.
"How are your energy levels?" Janet wanted to know.
"Actually, I've been really tired this last week," Vala said. "I just seem to want to sleep. And nothing else. Poor Daniel," she smiled ruefully, "I haven't wanted ... you know."
Janet smiled, and rested her hand on Vala's shoulder. "Tell me, Vala, have your breasts felt tender at all?"
Vala looked up. "Yeah, they have. How did you know that? For the last few days.... oh my God," realization dawned. "I'm not? Surely, I can't be? We've been careful."
"I can't be sure," Janet said. "Not until you take a test. But it does sound as though it's a distinct possibility. Look, why don't you do the test now? At least then you'll know." She walked to the other side of her office and reached into a drawer. She passed the box over to Vala. "Bathroom's over there," she said. "You know how it works?"
Vala nodded grimly. "Okay," she said in a quiet voice.
After ten minutes, there was still no sound from the bathroom.
"Vala?" Janet knocked on the door. "Are you okay in there?" No response. "Vala?" Janet called again. "Can I come in?" At that moment, the door opened; Vala stood there, holding a stick.
"Two blue lines," she said.
Sam approached her friend. "Vala? Are you okay?"
Vala looked up at Sam, and her face crumpled, big fat tears started to roll down her cheeks.
Sam reached out and pulled her friend into a tight hug, and just held her as she sobbed. Eventually the sobbing slowed enough for Sam to lead her to the couch. "Vala?" she asked, "what is it? Don't you want the baby?"
"Yeah," Vala's voice was muffled. "I do. It's just..... Adria. I can't go through that again."
"And you won't have to," Janet's voice was gentle but firm. "This isn't an alien baby, this is something you made, you and Daniel. This baby's gonna be wonderful."
"Oh God," Vala said. "Daniel! What's he gonna think? Oh shit, he's going to think I tricked him. That this is one of my stupid games, that I'm trying to trap him. He's...."
"Shh," Sam said firmly. "Daniel won't think any such thing. He loves you Vala, surely you know that? And I know you've played games in the past, but that's all in the past. He loves who you are now. And my guess," she smiled at her friend, "my guess is that he'll be made up. Daniel's always wanted to be a father."
"He'd be a great father," Vala said in a quiet voice.
"And you're gonna be a great mom," Sam told her.
"Will you tell him for me?" Vala looked small and scared.
Sam took her hand. "No," she said as gently as she could. "I won't. You should tell him. He'll want to hear it from you. He'll be here soon, right?"
Vala nodded.
"Well I'll go find him in a little while. And I'll bring him here. And you're gonna make him the happiest man alive, I just know it."
Janet came over to Vala, and wrapped a warm blanket round her shoulders. "Okay?" she asked her.
"Yeah," Vala said. "Thank you. Both of you. Thank you for being my friends."
= = =
"Infirmary?" Daniel asked. "Why? Is something wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong," Sam smiled at him. "I swear to you. Just come with me, please? It'll all become clear very soon." She led him to Janet's office, and pushed him inside. She and Janet waited outside the office, and only just managed to restrain themselves from pressing their ears to the door.
Less than two minutes after he entered, he came running out of the room. He saw Sam first, and rushed up to her, embracing her enthusiastically. He then turned to Janet, and lifted her clean off the floor, swinging her round. "I'm gonna be a dad!" he yelled. "We're having a baby. I'm dating the most beautiful woman in the world, and we're having a baby together!"
Sam nodded and grinned. "That's so great, Daniel, I told Vala you'd be thrilled."
"Oh God you were right," he hugged her again.
"Just one thing, though, Daniel," there was mirth in Sam's voice.
"Huh?" Daniel was watching Vala as she came toward the open door of the office.
"I'm the one dating the most beautiful woman in the world. Just so's we're clear on that."
Janet grinned. "Back at ya, baby," she said. "Right back at ya."