GENRE: Character physchology (Sam), relation Sam/Cassie, romance Sam / Jack
TIME: During "Thread" et "Moebius" season 8
READING TIME: 1 hour and 30 minutes
NOTES: I am dyslexic, please refer to the FAQ for more details on my "layout/writing style".
THEMES and CW:
TIME: During "Thread" et "Moebius" season 8
READING TIME: 1 hour and 30 minutes
NOTES: I am dyslexic, please refer to the FAQ for more details on my "layout/writing style".
THEMES and CW:
- Grief, especially decisions in grief and the power of dominance when one is vulnerable
- The toxic environment on the injunction to be happy
- Sexual abuse under the influence of drugs
- The exclusive couple as the only choice / representation
- The over-representation of women who are depressed after a break-up or a bereavement, and who are suddenly happy because they get into a relationship.
- The compulsive need to control things to feel in control of one's own life.
- Mention of kidnapping, torture, death, alcohol, human sales, etc.
"Dog days", also known as "dog days of summer", refers to some of the hottest days of the entire year in the northern hemisphere. This period was generally associated with bad luck as it was marked by unexpected droughts and storms. In addition, the heat tended to make people lazy and dogs crazy, so no one did anything during this time. That's why another definition of "dog days" is a period of stagnation or inactivity.
Jack picked up his cell phone: O'Neill.
Sam: I'm sorry to bother you sir. I'm... Ugh.
She fell silent.
Jack frowned, concerned: An emergency?
Sam muttered: Only for my plants.
Jack pressed his phone harder to his ear, getting poor reception: What?
Sam, louder: I could use some help, but I... Ugh. It's kind of personal, so I'll understand if-
Jack cut her off: Carter. What's going on?
Sam winced: I have a dog.
Jack, after several seconds of silence: What?
Sam's eyes widened as she realized the ridiculousness of the situation. For God's sake, she had started to panic about her relationship with Pete because of this topic and now she was bothering her superior with it.
Sam laughed nervously: A dog. I have a dog.
Jack: Since when?
Sam: About an hour ago. (she tilted her head) An hour and a half.
Jack, still confused: What?
Sam uncomfortably: Could you come here, please?
Sam: I'm sorry to bother you sir. I'm... Ugh.
She fell silent.
Jack frowned, concerned: An emergency?
Sam muttered: Only for my plants.
Jack pressed his phone harder to his ear, getting poor reception: What?
Sam, louder: I could use some help, but I... Ugh. It's kind of personal, so I'll understand if-
Jack cut her off: Carter. What's going on?
Sam winced: I have a dog.
Jack, after several seconds of silence: What?
Sam's eyes widened as she realized the ridiculousness of the situation. For God's sake, she had started to panic about her relationship with Pete because of this topic and now she was bothering her superior with it.
Sam laughed nervously: A dog. I have a dog.
Jack: Since when?
Sam: About an hour ago. (she tilted her head) An hour and a half.
Jack, still confused: What?
Sam uncomfortably: Could you come here, please?
She opened the door with a nervous smile, let him in, and Jack froze at the unusual mess of the house. An overturned dresser. Books scattered everywhere, many of them shredded. Pots of plants lay on the floor and various traces of this crime scene suggested that they had been attacked. Two cushions seemed to be screaming to be finished off, their foam coming out of their insides.
Jack's eyes widened: Wow.
Sam looked at his watch, ironically: In only two hours and fifteen minutes.
Jack: It's a tornado. How big is it? (she puts a hand on her hip ans he raised his eyebrows in surprise) What race?
Sam, incredulous: I have no idea. (She moved her hand) It looks like the one you took from Cassie that Janet refused because of her allergies.. (he snickers at the memory) Bigger.
Jack: Where is it?
Sam grinned: Bedroom.
Jack's eyes widened: Wow.
Sam looked at his watch, ironically: In only two hours and fifteen minutes.
Jack: It's a tornado. How big is it? (she puts a hand on her hip ans he raised his eyebrows in surprise) What race?
Sam, incredulous: I have no idea. (She moved her hand) It looks like the one you took from Cassie that Janet refused because of her allergies.. (he snickers at the memory) Bigger.
Jack: Where is it?
Sam grinned: Bedroom.
The huge dog pricked up his ears as he heard them approach. The animal took the exercise of ripping another cushion deep into the ground as the ultimate goal of his life. With his mouth full of feathers, he moved his tail when he saw them.
Jack nodded and looked at Sam with an obvious look: Akita Inu. (she looked at him, puzzled. He moved his hand) They're primitive dogs. (He snickers ) You're in trouble.
Sam, increasingly nervous, moved a hand toward the dog: He won't come down anymore.
Jack looked at the dog: Looks like it.
Sam: He knows how to make first impressions.
Jack: I know others like that.
He turned his head towards her and gave her a huge smile filled with innuendo. Sam imitated him to mean that he was no better.
Jack got serious: Normally, getting a dog is a big decision.
Sam lowered, uncomfortable: I know. I don't know what came over me.
Jack leaned against the door: You could have I don't know, changed your hair.
She knew he was fucking with her because she did it at least once a year.
Sam, almost begging: Mister...
Jack caught up: I'm just saying... (insisting) It's a hell of a choice.
Sam grinned: It wasn't a choice. I found it.
Jack: Where? In your bedroom?
Sam: On the way home from the supermarket-(She widened her eyes and exclaimed) Damn!
She headed outside to put her groceries away from the trunk before the fresh produce was gone. Jack raised his eyebrows, surprised that she had left him alone like that.
She returned a few minutes later, even more distressed than when she had left the man.
Sam: Sorry. I don't know what's wrong with me. (he remembered to remind her that she had just lost her dad. She leaned against the door too and looked at the dog) He was tied to a tree by the side of the road.
Jack winced: Yeah. There's a lot of abandonment during this time.
Sam: That's what the pound told me. They told me that the kennel was full and that he was in danger of being put down.
Jack, skeptical: So you brought it here.
Sam looked at him, surprised at his tone: Yeah?
Jack tilted his head: Others would have taken it to the vet.
Sam widened her eyes at the obvious: Damn. (she looked at the dog on her bed and panicked even more) Huuuuu. Maybe he has fleas.
Jack moistened his lips to keep from laughing: Yeah. (He snapped out of it when he saw Sam still terrified) Does he have a name?
Sam: No collar.
Jack frowned: I noticed.
She stared at him without understanding. Before she could react, Jack approached the dog. She took a step in his direction, raised her hand and Jack questioned her with his eyes.
Sam: He growls.
Jack, incredulous of his reactions: Yeah. I noticed. (she winced as she realized that he must have tried this while he was away. He stared at her, thinking that she was definitely having trouble keeping up with things today. So he repeated ) But we'll have to find a name for it. (he tilted his head) And go to the vet.
Sam, unconvinced: He has to move out of my bedroom for that.
Jack looked at the dog: Have you tried the food?
Sam opened her mouth, closed it again and headed for her kitchen. Jack snickers to see her so upset. A Carter without a brain, that's... New. She returned and handed Jack a paper-wrapped steak. The dog looked up at them, very interested.
Jack: Fancy food. (he approached the dog gently) Easy. Good dog. (The dog took a few steps towards Jack while lying down, mouth wide open, happy) Everything is fine.
He put the open paper on the bed and the dog jumped on the meat. Jack put his hand on the dog's head, being careful. The dog did not react. Jack tilted his head, reassured of the dog's social standing. He gently sat down next to the dog and continued to pet it. The dog wagged its tail, glanced at him and then resumed its meal.
Jack: Did the pound give you any shelter contacts or advice on how to handle them?
Sam shook herhead and then grimaced: Sorry sir, I don't know why I did that.
Jack: Yeah. (he continued to pet the dog) We do funny things during mourning.
Sam lowered his head and then raised it sharply: Oh boy, he's going to need to go to outside for...You know. (He raised his eyebrows, surprised that she would mention this. She panicked more) I don't want that in my bedroom. (She insisted) Not in my house.
Jack stared at her: When was the last time you ate?
Sam smiled nervously and looked away: The next question will be how long since I've slept. (she swallowed and looked at him) Sorry.
Jack frowned at her behavior: Your groceries?
Sam: Hum?
Jack: You only had that steak? Can I order something?
Sam, a little confused: Uh no. Yes. I can handle it. I'll make it for you.
Jack frowned at the misunderstanding: Make yourself something. (She opened her mouth, realizing he was talking about her. He looked back at the dog) I'll take care of him.
Sam recovered, embarrassed: Uuuugh no. Leave it. I'm sorry to have bothered you. I'm sorry I bothered you. I'll look for a shelter on the internet and-
Jack stood up and grabbed the rope around the dog's neck: I'll take him to the vet first. (He insisted) You go eat. (He put the dog down) And sleep if I'm not back before. (She didn't move) That's an order.
Sam septic: On my day off? For my personal life? (He raised his eyebrows and she widened her eyes) Shit. (She panicked as she looked around, lowered her head and winced) Sorry.
She quickly headed for the kitchen under the man's doubtful gaze.
Jack shook his head and looked at the dog: I don't know where you are, but there you are.
The dog wagged its tail and smiled, waiting for him to decide to take it for a walk.
Jack nodded and looked at Sam with an obvious look: Akita Inu. (she looked at him, puzzled. He moved his hand) They're primitive dogs. (He snickers ) You're in trouble.
Sam, increasingly nervous, moved a hand toward the dog: He won't come down anymore.
Jack looked at the dog: Looks like it.
Sam: He knows how to make first impressions.
Jack: I know others like that.
He turned his head towards her and gave her a huge smile filled with innuendo. Sam imitated him to mean that he was no better.
Jack got serious: Normally, getting a dog is a big decision.
Sam lowered, uncomfortable: I know. I don't know what came over me.
Jack leaned against the door: You could have I don't know, changed your hair.
She knew he was fucking with her because she did it at least once a year.
Sam, almost begging: Mister...
Jack caught up: I'm just saying... (insisting) It's a hell of a choice.
Sam grinned: It wasn't a choice. I found it.
Jack: Where? In your bedroom?
Sam: On the way home from the supermarket-(She widened her eyes and exclaimed) Damn!
She headed outside to put her groceries away from the trunk before the fresh produce was gone. Jack raised his eyebrows, surprised that she had left him alone like that.
She returned a few minutes later, even more distressed than when she had left the man.
Sam: Sorry. I don't know what's wrong with me. (he remembered to remind her that she had just lost her dad. She leaned against the door too and looked at the dog) He was tied to a tree by the side of the road.
Jack winced: Yeah. There's a lot of abandonment during this time.
Sam: That's what the pound told me. They told me that the kennel was full and that he was in danger of being put down.
Jack, skeptical: So you brought it here.
Sam looked at him, surprised at his tone: Yeah?
Jack tilted his head: Others would have taken it to the vet.
Sam widened her eyes at the obvious: Damn. (she looked at the dog on her bed and panicked even more) Huuuuu. Maybe he has fleas.
Jack moistened his lips to keep from laughing: Yeah. (He snapped out of it when he saw Sam still terrified) Does he have a name?
Sam: No collar.
Jack frowned: I noticed.
She stared at him without understanding. Before she could react, Jack approached the dog. She took a step in his direction, raised her hand and Jack questioned her with his eyes.
Sam: He growls.
Jack, incredulous of his reactions: Yeah. I noticed. (she winced as she realized that he must have tried this while he was away. He stared at her, thinking that she was definitely having trouble keeping up with things today. So he repeated ) But we'll have to find a name for it. (he tilted his head) And go to the vet.
Sam, unconvinced: He has to move out of my bedroom for that.
Jack looked at the dog: Have you tried the food?
Sam opened her mouth, closed it again and headed for her kitchen. Jack snickers to see her so upset. A Carter without a brain, that's... New. She returned and handed Jack a paper-wrapped steak. The dog looked up at them, very interested.
Jack: Fancy food. (he approached the dog gently) Easy. Good dog. (The dog took a few steps towards Jack while lying down, mouth wide open, happy) Everything is fine.
He put the open paper on the bed and the dog jumped on the meat. Jack put his hand on the dog's head, being careful. The dog did not react. Jack tilted his head, reassured of the dog's social standing. He gently sat down next to the dog and continued to pet it. The dog wagged its tail, glanced at him and then resumed its meal.
Jack: Did the pound give you any shelter contacts or advice on how to handle them?
Sam shook herhead and then grimaced: Sorry sir, I don't know why I did that.
Jack: Yeah. (he continued to pet the dog) We do funny things during mourning.
Sam lowered his head and then raised it sharply: Oh boy, he's going to need to go to outside for...You know. (He raised his eyebrows, surprised that she would mention this. She panicked more) I don't want that in my bedroom. (She insisted) Not in my house.
Jack stared at her: When was the last time you ate?
Sam smiled nervously and looked away: The next question will be how long since I've slept. (she swallowed and looked at him) Sorry.
Jack frowned at her behavior: Your groceries?
Sam: Hum?
Jack: You only had that steak? Can I order something?
Sam, a little confused: Uh no. Yes. I can handle it. I'll make it for you.
Jack frowned at the misunderstanding: Make yourself something. (She opened her mouth, realizing he was talking about her. He looked back at the dog) I'll take care of him.
Sam recovered, embarrassed: Uuuugh no. Leave it. I'm sorry to have bothered you. I'm sorry I bothered you. I'll look for a shelter on the internet and-
Jack stood up and grabbed the rope around the dog's neck: I'll take him to the vet first. (He insisted) You go eat. (He put the dog down) And sleep if I'm not back before. (She didn't move) That's an order.
Sam septic: On my day off? For my personal life? (He raised his eyebrows and she widened her eyes) Shit. (She panicked as she looked around, lowered her head and winced) Sorry.
She quickly headed for the kitchen under the man's doubtful gaze.
Jack shook his head and looked at the dog: I don't know where you are, but there you are.
The dog wagged its tail and smiled, waiting for him to decide to take it for a walk.
A good two hours later, at the door, he winced and went inside without knocking. He saw the dirty plate on the table and concluded that she had eaten. And drunk, as the half-empty bottle of white wine indicated. She stuffed yet another decomposed book into her huge garbage bag. He unhooked the harness and the dog scurried over to the couch to lie down.
Sam sharply: Don't-
She froze as she closed her eyes, giving up on the idea of being obeyed. She opened her eyes again and questioned the man. He put his purchases on the table.
Jack: It's a girl.
Sam: Oh.
She saw cans of dog food and various boxes.
Jack: No identification. I got it tattooed and vaccinated. (He tilted his head) In my name, but it's easily changed. (Sam nodded. He pointed to the paper bag on the counter) I took some basic supplies.
Sam nodded: Thank you.
Jack: No fleas. (he shook a box of medicine) A treatment for mild dehydration.
Sam nodded again and offered him a drink. The man nodded.
Sam handed him a glass of white wine: I found a shelter but it's closed for the weekend.
Jack looked at the dog: I can take it if you want.
Sam froze: Uuuuh, I'm not going to impose it. You have better things to do and you've already helped me a lot.
Jack looked at her: It's no secret that I love dogs. (he saw her continue to tidy up) Carter, stop that and go to sleep.
Sam dropped the bag, sat down in a chair and looked at the dog: A little later.
With tears in her eyes and fleeing his gaze, he sensed that she needed to talk. He swallowed and sat down next to the dog.
Sam sharply: Don't-
She froze as she closed her eyes, giving up on the idea of being obeyed. She opened her eyes again and questioned the man. He put his purchases on the table.
Jack: It's a girl.
Sam: Oh.
She saw cans of dog food and various boxes.
Jack: No identification. I got it tattooed and vaccinated. (He tilted his head) In my name, but it's easily changed. (Sam nodded. He pointed to the paper bag on the counter) I took some basic supplies.
Sam nodded: Thank you.
Jack: No fleas. (he shook a box of medicine) A treatment for mild dehydration.
Sam nodded again and offered him a drink. The man nodded.
Sam handed him a glass of white wine: I found a shelter but it's closed for the weekend.
Jack looked at the dog: I can take it if you want.
Sam froze: Uuuuh, I'm not going to impose it. You have better things to do and you've already helped me a lot.
Jack looked at her: It's no secret that I love dogs. (he saw her continue to tidy up) Carter, stop that and go to sleep.
Sam dropped the bag, sat down in a chair and looked at the dog: A little later.
With tears in her eyes and fleeing his gaze, he sensed that she needed to talk. He swallowed and sat down next to the dog.
Jack, quietly: Are you okay?
Sam smiled nervously, lowered her head and looked at her glass in his hands: Great.
Quiet.
Jack: Hum?
Sam took a sip and gave him an obvious look: My father is dead, I just cancelled my wedding and T quit.
He stared at her and she lowered her head again, wincing.
Jack: Carter. Why did you two get together? (she looked up at him in surprise) You can't change T's mind or get your father back. (he moved his hand) You can change things only on this point.
Sam looked away, uncomfortable: I wanted what others had. If I couldn't... (She looked at him. He froze. She swallowed and looked away) I'm a horrible person.
Jack frowned: Why?
Sam: I used him.
Jack stared at her: In any relationship, you use others. (she looked at him without understanding) It can be for comfort, happiness, support, or for more negative things like greed, domination, power, possession. (He insisted) It takes two people.
Sam nodded, accepting the argument, then winced in anticipation of the next admission: I wanted to be happy. (lowered) To be loved.
Jack stared at her: Yeah. I didn't see you chasing a bank account. (She smiled without looking at him) Especially at a cop. (She looked at him, tilting her head, begging him to shut up. He added more seriously) Pete was looking for the same thing. (Sam's face fell immediately and she looked away again, guiltily. He frowned) Nothing wrong with that.
Sam nodded without looking at him: I know.
Quiet.
Jack stroked the dog's head: Dogs have this therapeutic thing. (she questioned him with her eyes) It could be good.
Sam with a touch of sarcasm: Replacing my dad, my friend and my marriage with a dog?
Jack: I was talking about the grieving stage.
Sam swallows and looks down at her glass in her hands again: I'm fine.
Jack: I know you are. I also know there's a dog next to me.
Sam snikers, put one of her hands to her temple and blew: Oh god, I'm ridiculous.
Jack: What's happen? (she questioned him with her eyes) Your wedding annulment.
Sam shrugged a shoulder and looked at the dog: I broke up with him.
Jack raised his eyebrows, surprised: Why?
Sam was surprised too, then looked away: You know why.
Jack frowned slightly: Did you tell him?
Sam looked up at him, surprised: What? (sharply) No!
He opened his mouth and remained silent. Sam stared at him and realized that this was not the answer he was looking for.
Sam definitely felt like a failure in relationships: I'm sorry I came to see you and bothered you last time. Please forget. I don't want you to feel responsible for anything. And I didn't want to interfere in your relationship with-
Jack rolled his eyes at her guilt and cut her off: She broke up with me.
Sam froze: What? (lowered) Why?
Jack tilted his head and repeated the words she had said: You know why.
She opened her mouth, looked away for a fraction of a second, then looked at him, smiling a few millimeters, fearful, implicitly asking him if they could both.
Jack looked down at his own glass: Carter. (she winced and looked away, apprehensive about what to do next) Making decisions during a time of grief is not the best idea in the world.
Sam gritted her teeth: I came to you before I knew about my dad.
Jack: And you could have talked to your fiancé about your doubts. Taken some time apart. Maybe redefined your relationship.
Sam opened her mouth and looked away, nervous. She took several seconds to herself.
Sam, in a dry, hurt tone: Well, this is the second time I've broken off an engagement. I can tell I'm not cut out for it.
Jack swallows, understanding her implication with him: When I was stuck on this planet. (Sam questioned him with her eyes) Edora. (She nodded, looking away for a fraction of a second) I had to do some sort of grieving for Earth and all of you, fellas.
Sam bit her lip nervously and looked down: I know. Daniel explained.
Jack: I knew this women.
Sam: Laira.
Jack: One night we... drank a lot. (she swallowed in anticipation) She asked me for a child. (she froze) We slept together. (lower, almost to himself) I don't remember very well. (He swallowed as he thought of Argos. Uncomfortable with the use of drugs on him, he quickly shook off the memory) I'm not just talking about Laira. (he moistened his lips with nervousness and fixed his gaze on hers) I'm also talking about my decision to lead a suicide mission to an unknown planet after my son died.
Sam opened her mouth again in shock at this statement. That leak had cost him a divorce. He knows what he's saying, she thought. She had just done the same thing with Pete. Run away.
Sam: Do you think it would have made a difference? (He questioned her with his eyes and she quoted him) "redefined your relationship"?
Jack shrugged: I understand that you have the capacity to love several people at the same time. Why not him?
Sam widened his eyes at this statement: What?
Jack frowned slightly at her reaction: What, what?
Sam: I don't have the ability to lo-
She fell silent, realizing that if she continued, a lie would come out. Martouf, Narim and Jack. Pete and Jack. At the same time. Simultaneously. Shit. She'd never realized it.
Sam, softly, lost: Damn.
Then she frowned. Yes, she knew. She had told Narim. She didn't think it was something that could be... normal and accepted. She rested her gaze on Jack. He winced at the truth, thinking she already knew that about herself.
Had he seriously just told her that he understood the fact that she could love more than one at a time? Yes, marriage had seemed to bother him. Especially as it became more and more concrete, but when she had announced that she was dating Pete, the man seemed to have accepted it. She swallowed, finding it hard to contemplate that kind of behavior. Especially coming from him.
Quiet.
Jack moistened his lips with nervousness: What I mean is, there's no way anything's going to happen now.
Sam saw him tilt his glass between his fingers several times: Because we've been drinking.
Jack went on: Or even for the next few months.
Sam: My dad.
He nodded, she imitated him, accepting his argument.
Jack: Although I'm really glad we're finally having this discussion. (She looked away, feeling guilty. There was another silence for several seconds, and she became nervous. He added quietly) We can set a date, if that makes you feel better.
Sam looked up at him: To talk about it again?
Jack: Yeah.
Sam: And do something about it.
Jack: Or not. (softer) We'll see.
Sam nodded, then added more quietly: Bad timing, huh?
Jack looked at her for a few seconds and perceived her anxiety-guilt: When you're ready, we can go with Daniel and T to the cabin. (She questioned him with her eyes, surprised by this proposal) It will put less pressure on you. And if ever, we promise that it won't change anything between us?
Sam smiled slightly: Deal.
Jack imitated her smile and stood up: Go to sleep. I'm going to... (he moved his hands to point to the living room) Tidy up.
Sam widened her eyes: What?
Jack put his empty glass on the coffee table: I have to wait a good hour before I can go back on the road.
Sam stood up: You're not going to clean up when-
Jack: Do I have to give you an order again?
Sam insisted: We'll have to discuss that too.
Jack stared at her, amused: It's negotiable. But not today.
Sam nodded: Good night.
She headed for her bedroom.
Jack: Watch your six.
Sam turned her head and saw the dog following her. She looked at Jack with a desperate look and he snikers.
Sam smiled nervously, lowered her head and looked at her glass in his hands: Great.
Quiet.
Jack: Hum?
Sam took a sip and gave him an obvious look: My father is dead, I just cancelled my wedding and T quit.
He stared at her and she lowered her head again, wincing.
Jack: Carter. Why did you two get together? (she looked up at him in surprise) You can't change T's mind or get your father back. (he moved his hand) You can change things only on this point.
Sam looked away, uncomfortable: I wanted what others had. If I couldn't... (She looked at him. He froze. She swallowed and looked away) I'm a horrible person.
Jack frowned: Why?
Sam: I used him.
Jack stared at her: In any relationship, you use others. (she looked at him without understanding) It can be for comfort, happiness, support, or for more negative things like greed, domination, power, possession. (He insisted) It takes two people.
Sam nodded, accepting the argument, then winced in anticipation of the next admission: I wanted to be happy. (lowered) To be loved.
Jack stared at her: Yeah. I didn't see you chasing a bank account. (She smiled without looking at him) Especially at a cop. (She looked at him, tilting her head, begging him to shut up. He added more seriously) Pete was looking for the same thing. (Sam's face fell immediately and she looked away again, guiltily. He frowned) Nothing wrong with that.
Sam nodded without looking at him: I know.
Quiet.
Jack stroked the dog's head: Dogs have this therapeutic thing. (she questioned him with her eyes) It could be good.
Sam with a touch of sarcasm: Replacing my dad, my friend and my marriage with a dog?
Jack: I was talking about the grieving stage.
Sam swallows and looks down at her glass in her hands again: I'm fine.
Jack: I know you are. I also know there's a dog next to me.
Sam snikers, put one of her hands to her temple and blew: Oh god, I'm ridiculous.
Jack: What's happen? (she questioned him with her eyes) Your wedding annulment.
Sam shrugged a shoulder and looked at the dog: I broke up with him.
Jack raised his eyebrows, surprised: Why?
Sam was surprised too, then looked away: You know why.
Jack frowned slightly: Did you tell him?
Sam looked up at him, surprised: What? (sharply) No!
He opened his mouth and remained silent. Sam stared at him and realized that this was not the answer he was looking for.
Sam definitely felt like a failure in relationships: I'm sorry I came to see you and bothered you last time. Please forget. I don't want you to feel responsible for anything. And I didn't want to interfere in your relationship with-
Jack rolled his eyes at her guilt and cut her off: She broke up with me.
Sam froze: What? (lowered) Why?
Jack tilted his head and repeated the words she had said: You know why.
She opened her mouth, looked away for a fraction of a second, then looked at him, smiling a few millimeters, fearful, implicitly asking him if they could both.
Jack looked down at his own glass: Carter. (she winced and looked away, apprehensive about what to do next) Making decisions during a time of grief is not the best idea in the world.
Sam gritted her teeth: I came to you before I knew about my dad.
Jack: And you could have talked to your fiancé about your doubts. Taken some time apart. Maybe redefined your relationship.
Sam opened her mouth and looked away, nervous. She took several seconds to herself.
Sam, in a dry, hurt tone: Well, this is the second time I've broken off an engagement. I can tell I'm not cut out for it.
Jack swallows, understanding her implication with him: When I was stuck on this planet. (Sam questioned him with her eyes) Edora. (She nodded, looking away for a fraction of a second) I had to do some sort of grieving for Earth and all of you, fellas.
Sam bit her lip nervously and looked down: I know. Daniel explained.
Jack: I knew this women.
Sam: Laira.
Jack: One night we... drank a lot. (she swallowed in anticipation) She asked me for a child. (she froze) We slept together. (lower, almost to himself) I don't remember very well. (He swallowed as he thought of Argos. Uncomfortable with the use of drugs on him, he quickly shook off the memory) I'm not just talking about Laira. (he moistened his lips with nervousness and fixed his gaze on hers) I'm also talking about my decision to lead a suicide mission to an unknown planet after my son died.
Sam opened her mouth again in shock at this statement. That leak had cost him a divorce. He knows what he's saying, she thought. She had just done the same thing with Pete. Run away.
Sam: Do you think it would have made a difference? (He questioned her with his eyes and she quoted him) "redefined your relationship"?
Jack shrugged: I understand that you have the capacity to love several people at the same time. Why not him?
Sam widened his eyes at this statement: What?
Jack frowned slightly at her reaction: What, what?
Sam: I don't have the ability to lo-
She fell silent, realizing that if she continued, a lie would come out. Martouf, Narim and Jack. Pete and Jack. At the same time. Simultaneously. Shit. She'd never realized it.
Sam, softly, lost: Damn.
Then she frowned. Yes, she knew. She had told Narim. She didn't think it was something that could be... normal and accepted. She rested her gaze on Jack. He winced at the truth, thinking she already knew that about herself.
Had he seriously just told her that he understood the fact that she could love more than one at a time? Yes, marriage had seemed to bother him. Especially as it became more and more concrete, but when she had announced that she was dating Pete, the man seemed to have accepted it. She swallowed, finding it hard to contemplate that kind of behavior. Especially coming from him.
Quiet.
Jack moistened his lips with nervousness: What I mean is, there's no way anything's going to happen now.
Sam saw him tilt his glass between his fingers several times: Because we've been drinking.
Jack went on: Or even for the next few months.
Sam: My dad.
He nodded, she imitated him, accepting his argument.
Jack: Although I'm really glad we're finally having this discussion. (She looked away, feeling guilty. There was another silence for several seconds, and she became nervous. He added quietly) We can set a date, if that makes you feel better.
Sam looked up at him: To talk about it again?
Jack: Yeah.
Sam: And do something about it.
Jack: Or not. (softer) We'll see.
Sam nodded, then added more quietly: Bad timing, huh?
Jack looked at her for a few seconds and perceived her anxiety-guilt: When you're ready, we can go with Daniel and T to the cabin. (She questioned him with her eyes, surprised by this proposal) It will put less pressure on you. And if ever, we promise that it won't change anything between us?
Sam smiled slightly: Deal.
Jack imitated her smile and stood up: Go to sleep. I'm going to... (he moved his hands to point to the living room) Tidy up.
Sam widened her eyes: What?
Jack put his empty glass on the coffee table: I have to wait a good hour before I can go back on the road.
Sam stood up: You're not going to clean up when-
Jack: Do I have to give you an order again?
Sam insisted: We'll have to discuss that too.
Jack stared at her, amused: It's negotiable. But not today.
Sam nodded: Good night.
She headed for her bedroom.
Jack: Watch your six.
Sam turned her head and saw the dog following her. She looked at Jack with a desperate look and he snikers.
The next day, Sam came out of her room in her pajamas, not yet fully awake, still followed by the dog. They went to the kitchen so that the human could prepare her coffee - and potentially feed it - but Sam's eyes were intrigued by various unknown objects scattered on the central work surface, post-it notes pinned on each.
Post-it note on canned goods: 350 grams per day.
Post-it note on medecine placed on a box of dog treats: Once a day. Hidden.
Post-it note on a brush: You know why.
She snickers at the memory of his joke about her habit of changing her haircut and his repetition of their mutual feelings. Jerk.
Post-it note on a water bownl: Unlimited!
Post-it note on various dog toys: Unlimited!!!!
She smiles at the many exclamation points. Jerk, again.
Post-it on various leashes and a harness: Morning and night. Minimum.
She headed for the coffee maker but froze on the way.
Post-it note onher phone: Unlimited SOS.
She smiled again as she felt her heart melt.
Post-it note on canned goods: 350 grams per day.
Post-it note on medecine placed on a box of dog treats: Once a day. Hidden.
Post-it note on a brush: You know why.
She snickers at the memory of his joke about her habit of changing her haircut and his repetition of their mutual feelings. Jerk.
Post-it note on a water bownl: Unlimited!
Post-it note on various dog toys: Unlimited!!!!
She smiles at the many exclamation points. Jerk, again.
Post-it on various leashes and a harness: Morning and night. Minimum.
She headed for the coffee maker but froze on the way.
Post-it note onher phone: Unlimited SOS.
She smiled again as she felt her heart melt.
Sam pressed the button and put the phone to her ear.
Voice: Colorado Springs Refuge, Hello?
Sam: Hi, I found an Akita inu two days ago on the side of the road. The vet says she is in good health.
Shelter: Very well, thank you. You can come by anytime until 6pm to drop it off.
Sam: Do you have a lot of animals right now?
Shelter: Almost full all the time, yes. And not many foster homes. How old is she?
Sam checked the vet's paper: 8 years old.
Shelter: I doubt she'll find a family. They prefer puppies. But don't worry, she'll be well taken care of.
Sam winced and looked at the dog lying at her feet.
Shelter: Hello?
Sam: Maybe... Maybe I can keep her for a few days.
Shelter, more than delighted: No worries. Listen, call us if you change your mind, will you? Also if you have any questions.
Sam: All right. (She hung up and looked at the dog again) You're stuck with me for a while.
The dog wagged the tail softly when it heard her.
Voice: Colorado Springs Refuge, Hello?
Sam: Hi, I found an Akita inu two days ago on the side of the road. The vet says she is in good health.
Shelter: Very well, thank you. You can come by anytime until 6pm to drop it off.
Sam: Do you have a lot of animals right now?
Shelter: Almost full all the time, yes. And not many foster homes. How old is she?
Sam checked the vet's paper: 8 years old.
Shelter: I doubt she'll find a family. They prefer puppies. But don't worry, she'll be well taken care of.
Sam winced and looked at the dog lying at her feet.
Shelter: Hello?
Sam: Maybe... Maybe I can keep her for a few days.
Shelter, more than delighted: No worries. Listen, call us if you change your mind, will you? Also if you have any questions.
Sam: All right. (She hung up and looked at the dog again) You're stuck with me for a while.
The dog wagged the tail softly when it heard her.
She could hardly get out of bed this morning. The alarm clock already announced 11:40. She was usually the type to jump out of bed.
Sam turned around in bed again and sighed. She was tired. Mentally. Not just for the last few events. For all these years. Her nightmares were a testament to that, Fifth and RepliCarter were the worst.
She'd asked for a few days off to get used to the dog's presence. Jack had specified that the excuse was not admissible, a mourning a little more. She had wanted to retaliate but he had insisted that human resources - the President - would be more lenient on this point. She had laughed and Jack had suggested that she switch to telecommuting as much as possible. SG1 was being disbanded anyway and many airmen had taken their summer vacation. So she had accepted the offer., only because she was able to negotiate emergency recalls if he was short-staffed.
She pushed the blanket off the bed, it was hot on top of that, and the weather forecast predicted a horribly hot summer. She concluded by her irritability that she definitely could not go back to sleep and opened her eyes. A dog, with her head resting on the mattress in front of her face, was patiently waiting for her to get up.
Sam: Ugh. Don't judge me.
She forced herself out of bed to feed it and take it out to avoid further disasters, remembering that last night the dog had ruined her sock.
She watched her devour the meal while drinking her coffee. She usually liked her morning routine. Coffee while reading the news in the paper. Right now, reading was making her tired, and the news was making her more and more depressed.
With the bowl clean as if it were new, the dog turned to Sam and wagged her tail, licking their lips.
Sam tilted her head: Are you running?
Sam turned around in bed again and sighed. She was tired. Mentally. Not just for the last few events. For all these years. Her nightmares were a testament to that, Fifth and RepliCarter were the worst.
She'd asked for a few days off to get used to the dog's presence. Jack had specified that the excuse was not admissible, a mourning a little more. She had wanted to retaliate but he had insisted that human resources - the President - would be more lenient on this point. She had laughed and Jack had suggested that she switch to telecommuting as much as possible. SG1 was being disbanded anyway and many airmen had taken their summer vacation. So she had accepted the offer., only because she was able to negotiate emergency recalls if he was short-staffed.
She pushed the blanket off the bed, it was hot on top of that, and the weather forecast predicted a horribly hot summer. She concluded by her irritability that she definitely could not go back to sleep and opened her eyes. A dog, with her head resting on the mattress in front of her face, was patiently waiting for her to get up.
Sam: Ugh. Don't judge me.
She forced herself out of bed to feed it and take it out to avoid further disasters, remembering that last night the dog had ruined her sock.
She watched her devour the meal while drinking her coffee. She usually liked her morning routine. Coffee while reading the news in the paper. Right now, reading was making her tired, and the news was making her more and more depressed.
With the bowl clean as if it were new, the dog turned to Sam and wagged her tail, licking their lips.
Sam tilted her head: Are you running?
A few days later.
She came home from her jog with the animal and wiped her forehead with a wave of her arm as she gasped. She unhooked the leash from the dog's harness, and before Sam could pull it off, the animal lunged for the water dish. She didn't forget to put water everywhere, of course. Sam rolled her eyes and went to take her shower.
A few days later.
The fan was whirring and making Sam's hair fly, sitting on the couch with a turned-off laptop on her lap. Her eyes were in the dark, her dark thoughts invaded her brain. Or was it the heat that was dulling her? God, it was hot. And it was just beginning.
The dog shyly licked Sam's hand. Sam was startled and looked around. She smiled at the dog, feeling less lonely. She stroked her head to thank it and turned on her computer to start working.
A few days later.
Sam, the phone at her ear: Hey. How are you?
Cassie hesitated: Not so good.
Sam froze: What?
Cassie: I kind of miss Mom. No. I miss her a lot.
Sam felt guilty for not calling her sooner: Why didn't you call me? (Cassie was silent. Sam tilted her head) Because I just lost my dad. (she winced) Cassie....
Cassie: Sorry.
Sam picked up her fan and cooled down as best she could: You want me to come over? I'm telecommuting. It's not a problem.
Cassie: It won't make any difference. I've been feeling bad for months.
Sam: What about your friends? Jennifer? Morgan?
Cassie: I can't talk to my friends anymore. They don't like it when I'm not well. They don't think I'm trying hard enough.
Sam grinned: Okay... You need to make more of friends, Cassie. Friends don't have to make you feel bad because you're not well. Let me know when I can come over.
Cassie: I can't take this campus anymore. How do you expect me to make new friends? Classes are over. There's hardly anyone around. (lowered) And I don't want to see anyone.
Sam: Come here, then? Am I anyone too, right?
Cassie: You don't have a pool.
Sam: No pool, but a dog.
Cassie exclaimed: A dog?!
She came home from her jog with the animal and wiped her forehead with a wave of her arm as she gasped. She unhooked the leash from the dog's harness, and before Sam could pull it off, the animal lunged for the water dish. She didn't forget to put water everywhere, of course. Sam rolled her eyes and went to take her shower.
A few days later.
The fan was whirring and making Sam's hair fly, sitting on the couch with a turned-off laptop on her lap. Her eyes were in the dark, her dark thoughts invaded her brain. Or was it the heat that was dulling her? God, it was hot. And it was just beginning.
The dog shyly licked Sam's hand. Sam was startled and looked around. She smiled at the dog, feeling less lonely. She stroked her head to thank it and turned on her computer to start working.
A few days later.
Sam, the phone at her ear: Hey. How are you?
Cassie hesitated: Not so good.
Sam froze: What?
Cassie: I kind of miss Mom. No. I miss her a lot.
Sam felt guilty for not calling her sooner: Why didn't you call me? (Cassie was silent. Sam tilted her head) Because I just lost my dad. (she winced) Cassie....
Cassie: Sorry.
Sam picked up her fan and cooled down as best she could: You want me to come over? I'm telecommuting. It's not a problem.
Cassie: It won't make any difference. I've been feeling bad for months.
Sam: What about your friends? Jennifer? Morgan?
Cassie: I can't talk to my friends anymore. They don't like it when I'm not well. They don't think I'm trying hard enough.
Sam grinned: Okay... You need to make more of friends, Cassie. Friends don't have to make you feel bad because you're not well. Let me know when I can come over.
Cassie: I can't take this campus anymore. How do you expect me to make new friends? Classes are over. There's hardly anyone around. (lowered) And I don't want to see anyone.
Sam: Come here, then? Am I anyone too, right?
Cassie: You don't have a pool.
Sam: No pool, but a dog.
Cassie exclaimed: A dog?!
Sam readjusted the fan so that it would cool Cassie, amorphous on the couch, a Ben&Jerry's ice cream balanced on her stomach.
Cassie gulped a spoon: Damn this heat.
Sam: Yeah. (getting serious and sitting down next to her) So...?
Cassie: I feel like everyone around me is happy. They get this thing so easily and I'm so lonely. I know it's because my people were decimated and mom died. But... I feel like nobody understands.
Sam insisted: I understand.
They smiled shyly at each other. Cassie put her head on her guardian's shoulder and swallowed a spoon. Sam stroked her hair.
Cassie: I'm sorry I didn't tell you.
Sam: I'm glad you're here. (She placed a kiss on her hair and looked at the dog who was watching them a little further away) We'll take care of ourselves.
Cassie gulped a spoon: Damn this heat.
Sam: Yeah. (getting serious and sitting down next to her) So...?
Cassie: I feel like everyone around me is happy. They get this thing so easily and I'm so lonely. I know it's because my people were decimated and mom died. But... I feel like nobody understands.
Sam insisted: I understand.
They smiled shyly at each other. Cassie put her head on her guardian's shoulder and swallowed a spoon. Sam stroked her hair.
Cassie: I'm sorry I didn't tell you.
Sam: I'm glad you're here. (She placed a kiss on her hair and looked at the dog who was watching them a little further away) We'll take care of ourselves.
The sun was slowly setting, but the temperature was still boiling. Cassie walked up to Sam and found her crouched down, hands in the dirt, various gardening tools around her.
Cassie: Need help?
Sam wiped her sweaty forehead with her forearm: You can water what I've already done, if you want.
Cassie nodded, went to get the hose. The dog ran around the yard and Cassie laughed. Sam looked up at them and saw Cassie turning the jet toward the dog. The dog, overexcited, jumped a good three feet in front of the two women's impressed eyes. Cassie laughed again and sent another jet into the air. The dog grunted with pleasure and ran around again. Sam smiled at the sight.
Cassie sprayed the dog completely. The dog didn't flinch, quite the opposite. She rolled around on the floor, barking for more. Cassie complied.
In an uncontrollable impulse, the dog got up, and jumped on Cassie to lick her face. Caught off guard by the 55 pounds creature, Cassie let out a slight scream and her body fell backward. Sam stood up quickly, alerted. The dog swished its tail and drowned the girl in slobber as she tried to get up from her giggling fit. Sam discovered that there was no danger when she saw Cassie's reaction. The dog finally got tired and ran around the yard again.
Cassie stood up with her hands hanging in the air: That's disgusting! (she looked at Sam with a grimace) I have drool everywhere!
Sam, amused: Your top.
Cassie lowered her gaze and widened her eyes. The garment, white at first, was now brown with green marks in various places.
Cassie, disgusted: Urggguuuuuh!
Sam laughed at her goddaughter's misadventure. Cassie grabbed the hose and sprayed her.
Sam rushed over to her to stop her: Hey!
Cassie laughed. The dog came back to her, thinking the game was back on. Not seeing her continue, the dog froze and everything went very fast. The two women's eyes widened as they realized the creature's next move, but there was no time to do anything. The dog jerked from side to side, its long coat spraying them with droplets.
The animal panted with a slight, satisfied smile. Sam and Cassie looked at her in disappointment.
Cassie turned her head to Sam: Your fault.
Sam, surprised by this accusation: "My fault"?
Cassie: The cosmic scale, Sam. You asked me to water and you laughed at me.
Sam snickers. The dog started to run inside. Sam's eyes widened again at the thought of a soaked dog in her living room. The thought of finding her couch in the same condition as her goddaughter's shirt grew in her thoughts. Cassie turned her head back to Sam with a huge smile with the same idea.
Sam rolled her eyes and resumed her gardening: Oh, screw it.
Cassie giggled and splashed her face to rinse off the slime. She resumed watering the plants with a few glances at Sam. She smiled softly at the thought that she was starting to give up control.
Cassie: Need help?
Sam wiped her sweaty forehead with her forearm: You can water what I've already done, if you want.
Cassie nodded, went to get the hose. The dog ran around the yard and Cassie laughed. Sam looked up at them and saw Cassie turning the jet toward the dog. The dog, overexcited, jumped a good three feet in front of the two women's impressed eyes. Cassie laughed again and sent another jet into the air. The dog grunted with pleasure and ran around again. Sam smiled at the sight.
Cassie sprayed the dog completely. The dog didn't flinch, quite the opposite. She rolled around on the floor, barking for more. Cassie complied.
In an uncontrollable impulse, the dog got up, and jumped on Cassie to lick her face. Caught off guard by the 55 pounds creature, Cassie let out a slight scream and her body fell backward. Sam stood up quickly, alerted. The dog swished its tail and drowned the girl in slobber as she tried to get up from her giggling fit. Sam discovered that there was no danger when she saw Cassie's reaction. The dog finally got tired and ran around the yard again.
Cassie stood up with her hands hanging in the air: That's disgusting! (she looked at Sam with a grimace) I have drool everywhere!
Sam, amused: Your top.
Cassie lowered her gaze and widened her eyes. The garment, white at first, was now brown with green marks in various places.
Cassie, disgusted: Urggguuuuuh!
Sam laughed at her goddaughter's misadventure. Cassie grabbed the hose and sprayed her.
Sam rushed over to her to stop her: Hey!
Cassie laughed. The dog came back to her, thinking the game was back on. Not seeing her continue, the dog froze and everything went very fast. The two women's eyes widened as they realized the creature's next move, but there was no time to do anything. The dog jerked from side to side, its long coat spraying them with droplets.
The animal panted with a slight, satisfied smile. Sam and Cassie looked at her in disappointment.
Cassie turned her head to Sam: Your fault.
Sam, surprised by this accusation: "My fault"?
Cassie: The cosmic scale, Sam. You asked me to water and you laughed at me.
Sam snickers. The dog started to run inside. Sam's eyes widened again at the thought of a soaked dog in her living room. The thought of finding her couch in the same condition as her goddaughter's shirt grew in her thoughts. Cassie turned her head back to Sam with a huge smile with the same idea.
Sam rolled her eyes and resumed her gardening: Oh, screw it.
Cassie giggled and splashed her face to rinse off the slime. She resumed watering the plants with a few glances at Sam. She smiled softly at the thought that she was starting to give up control.
A few days passed. If there was one good thing about this heat wave, it was that it offered a magnificent spectacle at nightfall. The sky was completely clear and the shooting star season had begun. It had become a ritual for both women.
Cassie joined Sam already lying on the grass, blankets protecting them. The dog at their side. Cassie breathed loudly.
Sam: Is he screwed up?
Cassie exclaimed: A brand new CD!
Sam smiled: "Cosmic scale". Put your stuff away.
Cassie, offended by her revenge: Oh please. That dog is a walking disaster.
Sam: Yeah. I think that's why they gave it up.
Cassie winced and looked at her: What about you?
Sam shrugged a shoulder: I'll see. It's not the best with my job.
Cassie: Hmm.
Quiet.
They started yelling, pointing at a shooting star: There!
They laughed and turned their attention back to the stars.
Cassie: How did you come to do this job?
Sam: I always wanted to be an astronaut. (Cassie smiled and Sam added lower) And then there was Challenger.
Cassie turned her head towards her, sensing her change of tone: You joined the Air Force by default?
Sam smiled shyly and repeated the words she had said to her dad years ago: It was bad timing.
But a wave of sadness washed over her. She thought of her father on his deathbed and his insistence that she had joined because of him. She thought of the alternate realities where she was a civilian and still participated in the Program. They, they were with Jack. They, they were different, she is not them. She had killed thousands of enemies. She had been tortured, kidnapped, sold, tortured again, possessed by entities... She forced herself to pull herself together and enjoy the moment.
Cassie pointed to the sky and exclaimed at the same time as Sam: There!
They smiled at each other for a few seconds.
Sam looked at the stars and smiled: Damn. I think I have a name for this dog.
Cassie joined Sam already lying on the grass, blankets protecting them. The dog at their side. Cassie breathed loudly.
Sam: Is he screwed up?
Cassie exclaimed: A brand new CD!
Sam smiled: "Cosmic scale". Put your stuff away.
Cassie, offended by her revenge: Oh please. That dog is a walking disaster.
Sam: Yeah. I think that's why they gave it up.
Cassie winced and looked at her: What about you?
Sam shrugged a shoulder: I'll see. It's not the best with my job.
Cassie: Hmm.
Quiet.
They started yelling, pointing at a shooting star: There!
They laughed and turned their attention back to the stars.
Cassie: How did you come to do this job?
Sam: I always wanted to be an astronaut. (Cassie smiled and Sam added lower) And then there was Challenger.
Cassie turned her head towards her, sensing her change of tone: You joined the Air Force by default?
Sam smiled shyly and repeated the words she had said to her dad years ago: It was bad timing.
But a wave of sadness washed over her. She thought of her father on his deathbed and his insistence that she had joined because of him. She thought of the alternate realities where she was a civilian and still participated in the Program. They, they were with Jack. They, they were different, she is not them. She had killed thousands of enemies. She had been tortured, kidnapped, sold, tortured again, possessed by entities... She forced herself to pull herself together and enjoy the moment.
Cassie pointed to the sky and exclaimed at the same time as Sam: There!
They smiled at each other for a few seconds.
Sam looked at the stars and smiled: Damn. I think I have a name for this dog.
It was the middle of the day, but the light made it seem otherwise. The air pressure announced a future rain. The summer had been long, hard, exhausting. It was coming to an end. At last.
She looked out the window, hoping that the cosmic balance would not play another trick on her and that the weather would not make empty promises.
It had been two months since she had spoken to him or even seen him. Of course, they had exchanged e-mails for work, but she had to tell him something important. It would have been inappropriate to do it by e-mail. So she picked up the phone and dialed his number.
Sam: Cassie's gone back to school.
Jack: Is she doing better?
Sam: She's working on it. (She hesitated) I applied for Area 51. I'm in.
Jack, quietly: What?
Sam: I'm going to get closer to her. I missed her. I didn't know I missed her so much. (the dog licked her hand, Sam looked at it and stroked her head) She needs me and I need stability.
Jack: That's... Good. (He exhaled and put his hand on the back of his neck) I'm not going to jump for joy, but forgive me, I'm still stuck on that transfer to Washington.
Sam amused: Quite a bribe.
Jack raised his eyebrows, jaded: Yeah. And Daniel pesters me every day to let him go to ATL.
Sam: You know you can't hold him back forever, right?
Jack muttered: The man is stubborn.
Sam nodded and repeated Jack's words about their first meeting: I know others like that.
Jack, offended by this insinuation: Oh please.
Sam defended herself with malice: We learned from the best.
Jack snickers The dog?
Sam: I think she's stuck with me.
Jack: Did you get a name for it?
Sam: Sirius.
Jack smiles: The star.
Sam smiled as he understood the reference: The dog that heralds disaster.
Sam turned her head towards the window, the rain finally started to fall after all these months of drought. A light rain, certainly, but beneficial.
Jack snickers: Did it give you a hard time?
Sam: It ate a table leg. (he smiled softly and she insisted on the man's silence) It ate it. The table collapsed and blew a vase over. (he laughed) That dog is not a tornado, it's a beaver.
Jack concluded in an amused tone: You keep it.
Sam grinned: It's an endearing beaver.
Jack smiled softly, he had the impression that she was doing much better than the last time he had seen her. The rain began to fall more intensely, the drops grew larger and larger.
Sam touched the work surface with her fingertip, hesitant: Does your proposal to go to your cabin all together still stand?
Jack, after a moment: Are you sure?
Sam smiled slightly and looked out the window: Dog days are over.
She looked out the window, hoping that the cosmic balance would not play another trick on her and that the weather would not make empty promises.
It had been two months since she had spoken to him or even seen him. Of course, they had exchanged e-mails for work, but she had to tell him something important. It would have been inappropriate to do it by e-mail. So she picked up the phone and dialed his number.
Sam: Cassie's gone back to school.
Jack: Is she doing better?
Sam: She's working on it. (She hesitated) I applied for Area 51. I'm in.
Jack, quietly: What?
Sam: I'm going to get closer to her. I missed her. I didn't know I missed her so much. (the dog licked her hand, Sam looked at it and stroked her head) She needs me and I need stability.
Jack: That's... Good. (He exhaled and put his hand on the back of his neck) I'm not going to jump for joy, but forgive me, I'm still stuck on that transfer to Washington.
Sam amused: Quite a bribe.
Jack raised his eyebrows, jaded: Yeah. And Daniel pesters me every day to let him go to ATL.
Sam: You know you can't hold him back forever, right?
Jack muttered: The man is stubborn.
Sam nodded and repeated Jack's words about their first meeting: I know others like that.
Jack, offended by this insinuation: Oh please.
Sam defended herself with malice: We learned from the best.
Jack snickers The dog?
Sam: I think she's stuck with me.
Jack: Did you get a name for it?
Sam: Sirius.
Jack smiles: The star.
Sam smiled as he understood the reference: The dog that heralds disaster.
Sam turned her head towards the window, the rain finally started to fall after all these months of drought. A light rain, certainly, but beneficial.
Jack snickers: Did it give you a hard time?
Sam: It ate a table leg. (he smiled softly and she insisted on the man's silence) It ate it. The table collapsed and blew a vase over. (he laughed) That dog is not a tornado, it's a beaver.
Jack concluded in an amused tone: You keep it.
Sam grinned: It's an endearing beaver.
Jack smiled softly, he had the impression that she was doing much better than the last time he had seen her. The rain began to fall more intensely, the drops grew larger and larger.
Sam touched the work surface with her fingertip, hesitant: Does your proposal to go to your cabin all together still stand?
Jack, after a moment: Are you sure?
Sam smiled slightly and looked out the window: Dog days are over.
Want more?
- The dog is 8 years old, like the temporality of the fanfic in the chronology of Stargate Sg-1. You can see a methaphor there :D
- In SG1 1x04, Janet Fraiser says this:
FRAISER I take strong antihistamines every day, so did Dr. Jackson.
So I figured she was allergic (also) to dogs.
- Carter has a compulsive need to be in control, especially in tidying and cleaning (remember, she didn't want Jack to stain her lab with his blood, or when she confesses to Pete not to look at her book storage system, or when she goes to (mini)Jack's house and inspects the "cleanliness" of his house.) As the story progresses, she learns that it's okay if she doesn't have control over everything.
- Here, Jack notices that she's not acting like her usual self. And indeed, she is in mourning and has just cancelled her wedding. It's enough to be disturbed. He knows her, she knows that she is cautious and needs to think about things. The fact that she suddenly wants to go very fast with him (when he himself has just suffered a breakup) does not reassure him. I like the fact that he prefers her to take her time with this decision. I think it's a great sign of respect and love :)
- The injunction to be always happy is to be deconstructed. You can't be happy all the time, and that's ok. If those around you are not supportive - even if you have been depressed since birth - you can walk away from them for your own good. Jack sees that Sam is not well, she is anxious and tidying her house instead of meeting her basic needs: eating and sleeping. He does his job as a friend, he listens to her and she finally goes to bed. Mentor / Mentee. Some time later, the situation starts again with Cassie who is depressed about her mother and her toxic friends. Sam explains to her that this is not normal. Again, mentor/mentee.
- Jack says he has to wait an hour before he can go back on the road because he has been drinking. This is something he told him in SG1 7x21 "Lost city". I took this detail and put it via a potential "trauma" of Argos and Edora, where he had been under the influence of drugs during intimate relations.
-Jack says "Watch your six." > Military term. Just before they were talking about orders with each other.
- The song "Dog Days are over" may seem joyful at first with its rhythm, but if you dissect the lyrics, it is not the case. It is this strange impression that I had in front of the episode "Threads" of the season 8 which announces the beginning of the official relationship Sam / Jack. I wanted to work on this duality Happiness / Sadness.
- Cassie says "Classes are over", easter egg to the title of this fanfic. An era ends for her too.
- Cassie is eating Ben&Jerry's ice cream, brand used in SG1 season 6x12 "Unnatural Selection".
- Sam gives Cassie a top in SG1 5x06 "Rite of Passage".
- In SG1 1x04, Janet Fraiser says this:
FRAISER I take strong antihistamines every day, so did Dr. Jackson.
So I figured she was allergic (also) to dogs.
- Carter has a compulsive need to be in control, especially in tidying and cleaning (remember, she didn't want Jack to stain her lab with his blood, or when she confesses to Pete not to look at her book storage system, or when she goes to (mini)Jack's house and inspects the "cleanliness" of his house.) As the story progresses, she learns that it's okay if she doesn't have control over everything.
- Here, Jack notices that she's not acting like her usual self. And indeed, she is in mourning and has just cancelled her wedding. It's enough to be disturbed. He knows her, she knows that she is cautious and needs to think about things. The fact that she suddenly wants to go very fast with him (when he himself has just suffered a breakup) does not reassure him. I like the fact that he prefers her to take her time with this decision. I think it's a great sign of respect and love :)
- The injunction to be always happy is to be deconstructed. You can't be happy all the time, and that's ok. If those around you are not supportive - even if you have been depressed since birth - you can walk away from them for your own good. Jack sees that Sam is not well, she is anxious and tidying her house instead of meeting her basic needs: eating and sleeping. He does his job as a friend, he listens to her and she finally goes to bed. Mentor / Mentee. Some time later, the situation starts again with Cassie who is depressed about her mother and her toxic friends. Sam explains to her that this is not normal. Again, mentor/mentee.
- Jack says he has to wait an hour before he can go back on the road because he has been drinking. This is something he told him in SG1 7x21 "Lost city". I took this detail and put it via a potential "trauma" of Argos and Edora, where he had been under the influence of drugs during intimate relations.
-Jack says "Watch your six." > Military term. Just before they were talking about orders with each other.
- The song "Dog Days are over" may seem joyful at first with its rhythm, but if you dissect the lyrics, it is not the case. It is this strange impression that I had in front of the episode "Threads" of the season 8 which announces the beginning of the official relationship Sam / Jack. I wanted to work on this duality Happiness / Sadness.
- Cassie says "Classes are over", easter egg to the title of this fanfic. An era ends for her too.
- Cassie is eating Ben&Jerry's ice cream, brand used in SG1 season 6x12 "Unnatural Selection".
- Sam gives Cassie a top in SG1 5x06 "Rite of Passage".
Sources utilisées:
For the introduction
https://linguaholic.com/linguablog/dog-days-are-over
Lyrics:
https://genius.com/Florence-the-machine-dog-days-are-over-lyrics
Florence: "It's a reference to the dog star, Sirius. When it was closest to the Earth, all the animals would get languid and sleepy. When it moved away, they'd wake up"
https://www.radiox.co.uk/artists/florence-the-machine/florence-machine-dog-days-are-over-meaning
“I do not view this as a happy song at all. It annoyed me for a long time hearing this at weddings. I think the overall sound is deceptive (F+M is good at that) and the energy can be interpreted as urgent. Paired with some of the nicer lyrics it seems “happy”. However what it feels to me is urgent. Urgency is conveyed in the chorus when she talks about running. Musically it gives an urgent feel as well. The pacing is very quick and alert. She is running from something she doesn’t want. She is running for her life and possibly the lives of others.”
https://www.lyricinterpretations.com/florence-and-the-machine/dog-days-are-over
Challenger accident in 1986: The picture that illustrates this fanfic is a picture of the accident. Here is a reminder of the scene from the episode "Secrets" of season 2 :
JACOB I made a call to Bollinger himself. Head of NASA?
CARTER I know.
JACOB I told him that you'd wanted to become an astronaut since you were a little girl. And that you'd given up-
CARTER I didn't give up!
JACOB Let me finish. That you gave up waiting for the shuttle program to be reinstated after the Challenger disaster.
CARTER Yeah, it was bad timing.
https://linguaholic.com/linguablog/dog-days-are-over
Lyrics:
https://genius.com/Florence-the-machine-dog-days-are-over-lyrics
Florence: "It's a reference to the dog star, Sirius. When it was closest to the Earth, all the animals would get languid and sleepy. When it moved away, they'd wake up"
https://www.radiox.co.uk/artists/florence-the-machine/florence-machine-dog-days-are-over-meaning
“I do not view this as a happy song at all. It annoyed me for a long time hearing this at weddings. I think the overall sound is deceptive (F+M is good at that) and the energy can be interpreted as urgent. Paired with some of the nicer lyrics it seems “happy”. However what it feels to me is urgent. Urgency is conveyed in the chorus when she talks about running. Musically it gives an urgent feel as well. The pacing is very quick and alert. She is running from something she doesn’t want. She is running for her life and possibly the lives of others.”
https://www.lyricinterpretations.com/florence-and-the-machine/dog-days-are-over
Challenger accident in 1986: The picture that illustrates this fanfic is a picture of the accident. Here is a reminder of the scene from the episode "Secrets" of season 2 :
JACOB I made a call to Bollinger himself. Head of NASA?
CARTER I know.
JACOB I told him that you'd wanted to become an astronaut since you were a little girl. And that you'd given up-
CARTER I didn't give up!
JACOB Let me finish. That you gave up waiting for the shuttle program to be reinstated after the Challenger disaster.
CARTER Yeah, it was bad timing.