People believed that there was one person in life that a person was destined to spend the rest of their life with, once they had found them. Some liked to call it ‘Fate’ and others like to think its luck that they’d found their special someone. Jack didn’t know what it was; he didn’t like to think about it a lot as it had screwed him out of a lot of things in the past. Looking out onto the vast lake from the port of the fishing village, Jack wondered what it all was really about. The big ‘meaning of life’ question had been hanging over him since he was defrosted from being a Popsicle. When all that knowledge had been rammed into his brain and then slowly decoded, changing the way his brain worked, making him know all of the answers people seek. He knew why the universe existed, he knew why people did what they did and he knew why people loved. He just wished he didn’t know that she’d loved him once and now it was all over. Tapping his cap rhythmically against his leg, he pondered why he let things get to how they were, how he could let her get into a relationship with someon e else when he knew it was he she was supposed to be with and she was supposed to be with him. Destined, as some people say. How did he ever sit in his nice leather chair, behind his big oak desk in his office, and tell her to her face that he was ecstatic to be invited to her wedding was still a mystery to him. It just didn’t make any sense to him. Sometimes when he was around them, or her, he felt as though he was somewhere else and that he wasn’t entirely there with them, so it wasn’t really happening. With a gentle sigh Jack pulled on his cap and began the short walk back to the small hut, they were all staying in while the talks with the Artisans were taking place. He hadn’t really done much while they were there. He was just the front man for the beginning of the proceedings and then he was there to shake the leaders hand at the end of the day before they went home. There wasn’ t much else for him to do except sit in on meetings from time to time or wander about outskirts of the fishing village where the talks were being held. Jack scratched at the side of his face whilst putting his other hand into pants pocket, as he drifted through the crowd that always seemed to be present in the main street. He was just at a lost as to what he was supposed to do anymore when it came to her. Was he supposed to run up to her and proclaim his love for her, and then they would run away into the sunset to be forgotten about while they lived happily ever after? Or was he supposed to sit back and be the good friend she needed him to be, and let her make the biggest mistake of her life? It was all too confusing for him to think about it or even talk it through with someone. He thought about asking Daniel or Teal’c on their opinion of what he should do, but it was never the right moment and he always seemed to chicken out at the last minute. He’d received a lot of a funny looks over the past few months from both of them. Letting his train of thought run away from him, he smiled at a passer-by before ducking into the hut to find Teal’c and Daniel having some lunch. He let the door close on its own, as he looked about the hut for Sam and took his cap off to drop onto the nearest horizontal surface. She didn’t seemed to have come back with them, so must have been with Louis, the little thorn who’d been in their side for the past three days. “Where’s Carter?” Jack asked straddling the bench Teal’c was sitting on. “ Off with King Louie again, looking at gizmos and gadgets?” Daniel swallowed his mouthful, waving his fork around in the air. “She’s talking with some scientist from Platses, the Artisans nearest city, who brought some of the technology they’re going to trade with us.” “A Doctor Tomah.” Teal’c chided in, as he scooped up another spoonful of local cuisine. Jack gave Teal’c a look for a moment and then turned his attention back onto Daniel. “Can we go home soon? I dread to think how much paperwork is waiting for me.” “Jack, it’s not going to kill you to have a few days paperwork, waiting for you when you get back. And I’m sure Gilmor can take care of it.” Daniel commented reading a piece of paper with funny writing on it. Silence descended onto the small hut. Slowly Daniel edged his gaze from the manuscript to Jack’s face, finding the tired old soldier with a look that could kill. Raising his eyebrows, he shied away from Jack’s scrutinising glare. Jack shook his head, and the look away, and then looked round for something to eat when the door opened. A smile beamed across Jack’s face watching Sam waltz in and kick the door close behind her, before she disappeared into her own little room. The room the boys had been tricked into letting her have to herself. His earlier thoughts came back to haunt him, making him consider following her into her room and having a chat with her. Though he reckoned she’d kicked him out of her room and the hut, telling the one star General to go through the first ‘gate home. Rolling his eyes at himself, Jack was about to push himself up from the bench when Sam came rushing out, reading the papers she held in her hands. He opened his mouth about to say something when she looked up directly at him from the papers. “Want something to eat, sir?” She asked opening one of the containers on the other table. “Err… Sure.” Jack said down hearted. “Whatever you’re having will do, Carter.” Sam collected two forks and the container of food and joined them at the table, sitting opposite Jack whilst she carried on reading the papers. “That technology Doctor Tomah was showing me is fascinating. I still can’t get how they got a small power supply like that, to power nearly a whole city. It’ll be useful back home when we find a way of reproducing it.” “Enjoying yourself, Carter?” Jack asked taking the offered fork from her. “No, sir, I’m not enjoying myself. I’m having the time of my life.” She smiled stabbing something that looked like a carrot. Daniel turned over the manuscript he was reading. “Didn’t you say the same thing when we were on PX3 294?” “Maybe.” She mumbled. “Shut up and eat your lunch, Daniel.” Jack chuckled down at the container of food, avoiding Sam’s face as she straightened her papers with a sharp snap and tugged the container closer to her. Frowning Jack glanced up at her and then at the container before pulling it back over to the middle of the table. Teal’c watched silently as the General and Colonel slid the container back and forth between them on the table. Studying their faces he knew one of them would give in sooner or later, avoiding the small tension that had built between them. It wasn’t his place to say anything but he knew his friends well enough to know they were not happy with their situations. He’d been observing them for some months. The once soulful glances over the briefing room table were now missed opportunities, as when one of them looked at the other, the other’s eyes were trained in on the dossier or one of the other faces around the table. Lunch times had become Sam, Daniel and Teal’c having lunch while Jack worked through his lunch break to keep on top of his paperwork. The times Jack would go and sit in Sam’s lab, was now a quick visit to get a report on something or ask how to retrieve a document he’d accidentally deleted. The close bond between the team was still strong, but slowly Jack and Sam were letting a small wall build to keep the other from seeing the pain, or heartache, being caused by Sam’s engagement. But Teal’c was wise enough to know he couldn’t do anything himself, they needed to see and realise for themselves what they were doing to each other. Bowing his head in thought, Teal’c finished off his meal and decided to go for a quiet wander through the peaceful fields close by. As he was opening the door to leave, he bumped into Louis. “Ah, Teal’c, are the others here?” The young man asked with his always-present smile. “Indeed, they are.” Teal’c stepped aside and let the young man come inside. “They are having their midday meal.” “Hi everyone.” Louis greeted. Jack flicked a bit of noodle up at Sam. “Hey Louie.” “Louis.” Daniel said distantly while Sam let out a small squeak. “Hi.” Sam greeted picking off the noodle. “I’ve come by to inform of tonight’s celebrations.” Louis bowed his head gracefully. “We’re celebrating Amour.” Daniel’s head shot up from the piece of paper he was reading while Jack put on his best French accent. “Cela me ferait très plaisir.” “What?” Daniel asked. “What?” Jack questioned not liking the looks everyone was giving him. “Do you realise what you just said?” Daniel pointed his fork at Jack. Jack nodded his head slowly. “I’d love to come. Well, at least I hope that’ s what I said.” “Yeah but Jack,” Daniel waved his fork around. “You, speaking French?” “What’s wrong with that?” He asked folding his arms across his chest defensively. “I did french at school and nearly passed it, I’ll have you know.” “Sir,” Sam smiled cheekily. “You mean you actually went to classes?” “Course I did.” Jack exclaimed. “Wouldn’t you, if you had the class hotty sitting next to you and offering to be your study buddy?” “God…!” Sam sighed shaking her head down at the table. Daniel choice to ignore Jack and turned his attention to Louis. “Is it a traditional thing?” “Yes, it happens every year about this time.” Louis came further into the room, standing at the head of the table. “There used to be a ritual of some kind that was for couples only.” “Ritual?” Daniel poked his glasses further up his nose. “Now you done it.” Jack grumbled. “Jack, shut up.” Daniel motioned for Louis to sit down. “Tell me, what was this ritual?” Louis sat down onto the bench beside Jack. “Well, a newlywed couple, or any couple for that matter, would drink this ancient concoction that would supposedly show them whether they were with their âme f sœur.” Jack choked on the piece of food he was eating, almost falling backwards off the bench. Teal’c was quick to catch Jack and patted his back to dislodge the small piece of carrot, holding on tightly to Jack’s shoulder at all times. Coughing into his fist, Jack got himself to his feet and accompanied by Teal’ c went to the small kitchen area to get a drink. Louis watched Jack drink a whole glass of water with Teal’c’s hand still remaining on Jack’s shoulder. “Is he okay?” Louis asked concernedly. “He’ll be okay.” Daniel said cleaning his glasses. “Tell us more about this old ritual?” “The couples go through like a day dream. My grandmother, one of the last ones to go through the ritual, told me it was like a day at the market. She walked through the market and then stopped when she came to my grandfather.” He said with a bold smile. Sam stopped holding her fork just in front of her mouth. “Was he her… what it mean, Daniel?” “Soul mate.” Jack said clearing his throat, coming back over to retake his seat whilst Teal’c left the hut. “Oh…” Sam swallowed visibly. “Erm…” Daniel ventured his looked between Sam and Jack faces. “Louis maybe you can tell us more about it later, when we come to the celebration.” “Sure, I’ll leave you all to your lunch. It’ll take place in the main square. I’ll send some clothes by, I’m sure you want to be in something comfortable rather than your uniforms.” Louis said on his way to the door. Daniel nodded his head. “Ok. Thanks, Louis.”
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Jack sat quietly staring at what he described as pajamas lying over the back of the chair in front of him. He didn’t know whether it was a joke, or Teal’ c and Daniel just got the better colours, to be some sort of sign that he shouldn’t go to the celebrations with the others that night. Picking at an old callous on his underhand, Sam came out of her room playing with her hair. He was sat with his back to her door, so hadn’t seen what she looked like but became curious when Daniel and Teal’c’s head slowly rose up from what they were doing and their mouths dropped open. Frowning Jack swivelled round in his seat till Sam came into his view. He nearly slid off his seat when he realised he could see her long slender legs through the feeble fabric used to make her skirt. She was beautiful. When Sam turned round and saw they were all staring at her, a moment of embarrassment passed before she covered her cheeks and went back into her room saying. “Guys, come on. The celebration starts soon.” Widening his eyes Jack took a deep soothing breath before he turned back round to be confronted by the pink pajamas. He didn’t know whether to be worried or cry at the sight of them. Soothingly rubbing his hands over his face, Jack leaned forward onto his knees with his elbows. As he dropped his hands from his face, he stood up and snatched the pajamas off the chair. He flung them over his shoulder and went into the bathroom to get changed. When he come out, he poked his head around the edge of the door to see the three of them waiting for him. Gradually he opened the door and came out for them to see him. Sam giggled when she saw he was still wearing his boots with his pink pajamas. Folding his arms over his chest, Jack stomped his way over to the door and opened it, as Louis was about to knock the door. “Ah! You’re all ready then?” Louis asked with his own set of pajamas on. “Yes.” Jack growled pulling at his pink top. Louis seemed alarmed by Jack’s tone, as Sam edged Jack out of the hut. “Don’ t worry, Louis, pinks not his colour.” “Oh… Well, Artan has invited you all to join him at his table tonight.” Louis informed them as they were joining the small trail of people heading towards the celebration square. Jack instinctually went to put his hands into his pockets but when he found he had none, he became even more frustrated. He heard a small chuckle erupt beside him, looking to the source of the sound he broke out into a grin when he saw the smile on her face. Her shoulder brushed up against his, unlike when it happened when they’re wearing BDU’s, he felt the warmth of her skin through the material and was hit with a wave of desire until he clamped it down. He’d told himself when he starting feeling something for her and when she announced her engagement, that he would never let himself feel for her. He couldn’t let himself feel something, otherwise it would take over him and lead him to do things he wouldn’t normally do: like confess his love for her. There was something wrong with his hand, for some reason he wasn’t in control of it anymore. Looking down to his left hand he followed the hand that was holding his to the arm, then to the shoulder, to the neck and onto the face that was smiling at Louis while she said. “No, no, Louis. It’s quite all right. The General and I will be dancing partners.” “What?” He asked a little bewildered with her still holding his hand and them suddenly becoming dancing partners. Sam turned her gaze onto him and squeezed his hand. “Yes, sir. We don’t want to inconvenience these people, like we already have, in finding us all dancing partners.” “Oh…!” Jack glanced from Sam to Louis. “We’re okay. Carter’s used… to my left feet.” “If you’re sure, it wouldn’t at all be a problem.” Louis tried to be the gracious host. “We’re okay, honestly.” Sam touched Louis on his shoulder before dragging Jack off towards the celebration quicker. Tugging her back when they were far enough away from the others, Jack brought her back to walking at his side instead of dragging him through the crowd. She didn’t say anything, just gave him a dirty look before it softened and they began to walk at a steady pace with the rest of the gatherers. Their hands were still clasped keeping them at a close distance. Jack slowly glanced to Sam’s face to see she was smiling at the young child the woman in front of them was carrying. Her elbow nudged him in his side. “I want one of them.” “One of what?” He asked trying to see what she was looking at. “I want a kid.” She said staring into his eyes, bringing them to a complete halt in the middle of the stream of people. “I want to have a child someday.” “Well…” Jack thought about it. “I’m sure, Pete’ll be up to the whole kid thing. You are getting married.” Sam’s gaze dropped to their clasped hands, as the colour drained from her cheeks. “Yeah.” “Come on then. Party time, Carter.” Jack said trying to lift her spirits. “Err…” Sam tugged her hand out of his and he turned back in surprise. “I’ ve forgotten something at the hut. I’ll meet you there.” “Want me…?” Jack went to walk back with her but with the strong hand on his chest, he was pushed back. “No, it’s ok.” Suddenly she rushed off back through the crowd, bumping into people as she went.
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Sitting between two empty seats Jack nursed his drink while watching the gatherers dancing to the rhythmic beat of the drums and other instruments, taking the dancers to whole other plain. He was glad he was sitting down and not up there dancing. Early grave came to mind. Covering his eyes with his hand, he downed the last of his drink about to make his move to leave when a hand touched his shoulder. A small spark of electricity shot through him, the hairs on the back of his neck and his arms stood up on ends as he turned his head to see who it was. Sam stood beside him observing the dancing crowd in front of her. He scrambled up onto his feet from the cushions on the floor, standing to his full height beside her with her hand still lingering on his shoulder. Following her gaze out onto the hundreds of bobbing forms, swaying and grinding together to the beat of the drums. It was worrying to think that somewhere out amongst the people dancing, Daniel and Teal’c were enjoying themselves with the women Louis had found for them. Though Jack promised himself he was not going to rescue either of his friends, if they somehow managed to get themselves married off overnight and when they sobered in the morning needed a quick getaway. And that went for himself as well. Jack became aware of a pair of eyes watching him and then of the hand that had taken his, squeezing his rough fingers with her slender ones. “Would you like to dance, sir?” “Err…” He uttered slowly moving his gaze round onto her sweet face. “Right now?” “If you don’t want too… I can just go back to the hut.” Sam said indicating over her shoulder with her thumb. “No, no. I meant because you’d only just gotten here, wouldn’t you like a drink or something?” He hurried to say. “Sure.” She said halfhearted, looking about for a drink. Spotting two glasses on the altar behind her, he grabbed them off the tray and handed one to her. She smiled her thanks and raised her glass to him before sipping the red liquid. Jack inspected his for a moment and then took a small sip from the glass beaker. The liquid gently soothed its way down his throat, leaving a tingling trail behind it until it went into his stomach and a tingling sensation exploded within his body. Shaking his head at the effects, he felt a strange sensation come over him. “Ready for that dance now, sir?” Sam asked holding a hand to her head. “Yeah…” He mumbled taking her hand to lead her to the dance floor. //FLASH\ Jack stood on the ramp in the Gate room, the lights were dimmed and all he could see was a silhouette at the base of the ramp. Squinting his eyes he shuffled down the ramp uneasily to the shadow. //FLASH OVER\ He licked his lips and looked at the people surrounding him and Sam, swaying and grinding against their partners while he and Sam slowly swayed side to side. His head was swimming as though he’d had way too much to drink when he’ d only had two drinks so far that night. Leaning more against Sam, they countered weight each other and prevented the other from falling onto the floor. Sam pressed her hand against her head again whilst Jack rested his head onto her shoulder. They both became aware that something was terribly wrong with them. //FLASH\ Reaching the bottom of the ramp, Jack stepped down the last step to circle round the black shadowy form trying to figure out who the form was. He scratched at his head, as the person turned round. The lights brightened revealing her blond golden hair and blue sparkling eyes. They didn’t seem surprise to see one another, but that was expected when they saw each other every day and spent a lot of their time together… used too. “Where are we?” She asked looking about the room. “It looks like the Gate room.” Jack inspected the Control room through the glass window. “Go check the Control room.” She nodded her head and jogged off through the door behind him, momentarily appearing in the Control room to start typing things into the computers. Placing his hands on his hips, Jack looked intently at the inactive ‘gate. “The computers don’t seem to be working, sir. It looks like the powers down on all levels.” Her voice boomed into the Gate room. “Okay… Come back down here then.” Jack ordered sauntering over to the ramp and sat down on the steps. Sam jogged back into the room and slowed her pace, making her way towards him. “I don’t understand it. Weren’t we just on…?” “Yeah, I know.” He glanced around the room, as she sat down beside him. “ Maybe we got knocked on the head and are now having some sort of hallucination?”
“And we’re sharing the same hallucination?” She questioned with a raised eyebrow. “I don’t know. You got a better idea?” He asked leaning against the light hanging the ramps’ barrier. “Well…” Sam thought about it. “Okay, so maybe I don’t have a better idea but we can’t be both having the same hallucination.” “Hang on, how do we know that one of us isn’t just having this hallucination and the other one is part of it?” Jack asked rubbing at his left temple. She looked at him with a slight glare. “Well, I’m the one having the hallucination.” “Oh no you’re not. I’m the one having the hallucination.” Jack pointed at his chest and then at Sam. “You’re the hallucination.” “Please, I am not going to argue about this with you.” She crossed her arms and leaned onto her knees. Jack shifted and fidgeted to get comfortable, constantly feeling Sam’s annoyed gaze on him while he was doing it. Glancing up at her, he raised his eyebrows at her, as he finally got comfortable. She stood up and paced back and forth in front of him. “Okay, Sam.” She said to herself. “If this is a hallucination, why is Jack here? Wouldn’t it be Pete?” “First sign of madness is talking to yourself, Carter.” He grumbled at her, stretching his legs out in front of him. “I just don’t get this. Why you?” Sam questioned him. “Hey, if you want Pete ‘I’m an idiot’ here, go find him.” Jack spat at her. “What? I thought you liked him.” She frowned at him. “You took his fishing with you and Teal’c the other month.” He got up wiping the invisible dirt off his pants. “If he’s going to be a permanent thing, I better get used to it, so I thought I might as well be friendly to him.” “Don’t pretend. If you don’t like him, you don’t like him. It doesn’t matter.” She said turning her back on him and then a minute later turned back. “ Why don’t you like him?” “It’s doesn’t matter.” Jack gazed down at his feet. “It does to me.” She muttered moving a step closer to him. Moving his eyes slowly up her body to her face, there seemed to be something there he hadn’t seen there in awhile, something that she kept hidden ever since she started seeing Pete. A small tingling sensation travelled through his body at the sight of that something in her eyes. “I don’t like him because he’s able to give you what you want.” Jack whispered reaching up to stroke some of her hair behind her ear. “That’s why I don ’t like him.” “Oh… sir, I…” She sobbed with a single tear cascading down her cheek. //FLASH OVER\ “Jack!” Daniel called pulling Jack to sit up by his arms. “Come on, Jack, wake up.” Cracking his eyes open, Jack blinked his eyes a few times. “Oh, god. I only had two drinks but it feels like I’ve got the worst hangover ever.” “Jack, you’re not hung over. You drank the âme f sœur drink. Louis had made it up to show me and let me get some samples of it for Doctor Smith. You and Sam must have drunk it by accident.” Daniel tried to help Jack to his feet with the help from two of the villagers. “You okay?” “I want to go home, Daniel.” Jack said with his chin resting on his chest. Nodding his head Daniel steadily walked Jack back to their hut, taking most of Jack’s weight. As they got nearer to the hut, Jack became able to walk on his own with the hazy headache dulling its affects on him. He held a hand to his head pushing open the hut door. Inside Sam was slumped over the table with her face in her hands, while Teal’c was busy preparing something in the kitchen area. Staggering towards the table, he bumped into the table and fell onto the bench opposite Sam. She looked up at him from her hands; the tears were still falling down her cheeks. Jack grimaced at the sight of her crying and had to fight the urge to move round and give her comfort, when he knew he couldn’t do that for her. He crossed his arms onto the table and rested his head down on them, thinking how things just got a lot worst. Because of that stupid drink, he knew now that his beliefs that they were meant to be together were right but what the hell could he do about it now? She was going to be married in a few months time and knowing her, she wouldn’t just break up a happy engagement because of some drink to go back to living alone. Waiting for the day when they could be together, when there was someone else out there who was willing to make her happy, or least satisfy her needs for companionship and give her the love she deserves. “God…!” Jack mumbled into arms.
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Few Days Later
Listening to the quiet hum of the lights above him and the activity going on in the Control room, Jack signed another requisition form and put it into his outbox. He picked up the next file on the pile and opened it out onto his desk, as he got up out of his seat with his coffee mug. Rubbing a tired hand over his face, Jack shuffled towards the coffee machine out in the Briefing room, wondering whether he would stay on base tonight or go home. He hadn’t been home since they’d gotten back from the treaty signing with the Artisans. He was scared when he went to take the trip home, that trip would detour to Carter’s and make him confront her about the incident back on that planet He scratched at his head, as he poured the lukewarm liquid into his mug and added two sugars. Sipping it on his way back to his office, he stopped when he saw her standing in his office. She was looking round for him and then dropped an envelope on his desk. Jack licked his lips nervously before marching back in there, whilst Sam made for the other door. “Carter.” She halted in the other doorway and turned back to face him. “Sir.” “What’s that?” He asked leaning up the doorframe of the other door. “An invitation to my wedding, sir.” Her eyes were glued to a spot on the floor. “You’re still coming, aren’t you?” “Sure, wouldn’t miss it for the world.” His eyes studied his mug. They stood in silence, neither of them wanting to speak first or bring the matter up, so they remained with their eyes either studying the floor or their mug. The sirens sounded below for a ‘Scheduled Off-World Activation’ but Jack didn’t move to go and greet the team home. Sighing down at his mug, Jack moved behind his desk and sat down into his chair. “This is stupid, Carter.” Jack said picking up his pen after putting his mug down on its coaster. “What is?” She glanced up at him. He waved his hands around. “The tension between us. It’s getting silly.” “Well… What do you want me to do about? Huh? What do you want me to do?” Sam blurted out with her hands on her hips. “Want me to break off my engagement? Give up the SGC? Retire from the Air Force? What?” “I don’t want anything from you. I just want you to be happy.” Jack twiddled his thumbs. “I am happy!” She exclaimed. “Well, then. What’s the problem?” He asked looking up at her. “There isn’t a problem. We’re happy. We’re getting married.” She babbled down at the floor. Jack scrunched up his eyebrows at her. “Are you trying to convince me or you here?” “I am happy!” She shouted but her eyes gave her away. “Am happy!” “Yes, alright, Carter. I never said you weren’t.” He shifted in his chair. A small sniffle escape before she covered up her face. “Why don’t you do something?” “Like what? What do you want me to do, Carter?” He asked leaning forward onto his desk. “I want you to tell me, I’m doing the right thing, that you’re happy for me and that it won’t come between us.” Sam straightened her back and wiped furiously at her cheeks. “You’re doing the right thing, I’m happy for you and it’s not going to come between us.” He said in a robotic voice. “Happy?” She shook her head moving to stand in front of his desk. “Mean it.” “You know I can’t do that.” Jack said looking her straight in the eye. “Fine then.” She said slightly annoyed, as she snatched up the envelope from his desk. “Then there’s no point in you coming to the wedding.” With that she stormed out of his office, slamming the door behind her. Jack rolled his eyes up at the ceiling and dropped forward onto his desk, lacing his fingers over the back of his head.
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The End (Feedback Welcome)
DISCLAIMER: All publicly recognisable characters, settings, etc, are the property of their respective owners. Any original characters and plots are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended. ... [ read more ]