Chapter Text
It started with a look. To be fair, it began long before then, but she felt, in that moment, that the look was what tipped them over the edge. A harmless flirtation; that was all she’d considered it to be. One-sided, on her part. Innocent. A bit of fun. But then there was the look and all those delusions came crashing down. It ceased to be fun. It certainly wasn’t innocent, mainly because she was now well aware that it wasn’t one-sided. Most of all it wasn’t a harmless flirtation. A person doesn’t harmlessly flirt with their superior officer and then feel as though their whole world is being torn apart at the thought of them dying for you, she realised. And, frankly, if he was merely harmlessly flirting with her, if he could still maintain the distance required between CO and subordinate, then he would have been able to leave her there to die. Sure, it would have been difficult. Sure, there was the whole “we don’t leave our people behind” mantra. But he had two other team members to take care of, and she was doomed anyway. If he had just been harmlessly flirting, then he should have left. And then there was the look.
She was pretty sure that if they’d been able to touch each other they would have been entwined in an embrace. They might even have kissed. As it was, they couldn’t touch. Separated by a mere fraction of space but miles apart. All they had in that moment was the look. And they didn’t have long. Minutes, seconds really, to convey with that look everything they felt. Everything they’d been lying to themselves about for all those months. She’d pleaded with him to go, begged him. And then he’d straightened up, refused and everything else had fallen away. She’d felt the tears stinging her eyes as her heart swelled. This man, this wonderful man, who refused to leave her to die alone, who would rather die with her than carry on without her, this man loved her. And in that moment, staring into his eyes, his soul exposed for only her to see, she knew she loved him too.
The force-shield wavered blue between them as their hands met but didn’t really meet. She knew true love in that moment; real peace and, simultaneously, utter heart-break. And then the moment shattered, and their lives returned to normal. Almost. They hadn’t died that day, but any illusion she’d had that she didn’t love Jack O’Neill and that he didn’t love her back, was gone.
Mission Reports of Major Samantha Carter and Colonel Jack O'Neill
George settled down at his desk after what felt like a particularly long week. His people had been compromised by alien technology (again), risked their lives for the Tok'Ra (against his orders), but eventually come home safe. On his desk were the reports from Major Carter and Colonel O'Neill. Hers unusually short, but typically succinct. His the usual length, casual, abrupt. He settled back in his chair, a steaming mug of coffee in one hand, the first report open in the other, and began to read.
Report – Major Samantha Carter – PX9-757
Having disobeyed a direct order from General Hammond and under the influence of alien technology, Colonel O’Neill, Dr Jackson and I travelled through the Stargate to PX9-757 following a report from the Tok’Ra that Apophis was building a formidable ship. Our intention was to destroy the ship using the abilities caused by the Tok’Ra armbands, such as increased speed and strength. As such we neglected to arm ourselves, taking only explosives to destroy the ship.
Once through the Stargate we incapacitated several Jaffa guarding the area and proceeded to the ship. We encountered more Jaffa with a small but significant quantity of Naquadah which Dr Jackson volunteered to retrieve, leaving myself and Colonel O’Neill to destroy the ship. We proceeded to the cooling system to plant C4 in the pipes which would cause a chain reaction, disabling the system and causing the mechanics to overheat and explode. We gave ourselves fifteen minutes to return to the Stargate, believing our increased speed would grant us more than sufficient time. On returning to the entrance of the mountain upon which the ship was being constructed we met Dr Jackson, who collapsed and whose armband ceased to function. Two Jaffa found us but were taken out by Teal’c who had been ordered to meet us by General Hammond. More Jaffa came upon us, Colonel O’Neill ordered Teal’c to take Dr Jackson back to the Stargate and we went after them. Having incapacitated them, we attempted to return to the Stargate. However, my arm band ceased functioning and I passed out.
When I regained consciousness Colonel O’Neill was unconscious on the other side of a force-shield. He woke up when I called him and attempted to disable the shield. However, nothing could be done. As two more Jaffa came upon our position, the C4 exploded which knocked out the shields. We returned to the Stargate, meeting Dr Jackson and Teal’c on the way.
Report – Colonel Jack O’Neill – PX9-757
3 members of SG-1 (myself, Major Carter and Dr Jackson) had been convinced to try on alien armbands that gave us superhuman powers. We later found out they had intel on a new ship being built by Apophis. General Hammond ordered us not to visit the planet to destroy it. We disobeyed orders and went anyway (under the influence of the alien armbands).
Daniel went after some Naquadah whilst Major Carter and I set C4 to blow the ship. Daniel’s armband came off and he fainted. Teal’c showed up on General Hammond’s orders. I ordered him to take Daniel back to the gate whilst Carter and I took out a couple of Jaffa. On our way back, our armbands conveniently stopped working. Carter was stuck on one side of the force-shield, I was on the other. The ship was going to blow and I couldn’t disable to shield. The C4 went off just as some more Jaffa showed up. We ran back to the gate as the mountain exploded.