Title: Forks in the Road
Author: Jemma Rhodes
E-mail: jemme_ring@yahoo.co.uk
Story Status: Series in progress
Series/Sequel Info: Part 1/?
Season: One
Spoilers: Politics maybe. General knowledge.
Categories: Angst, UST and romance, general friendships.
Pairings: Sam and Jack
Rating: PG-14 (I couldn't decided between PG-13 and PG-15!!!)
Content Warnings: Swearing, adult situations.
Summary: This is a fork in the road fic - what would have happened if the SGC had of been shut down by Kinsey at the end of Politics and SG-1 hadn't gone through the gate?
Archive Permissions: Wherever I put it. SJ yes. Anyone else please ask!
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters relating to Stargate. They belong to MGM and any of their associates. I'm just playing around with them for a little while!
File Size: 38 KB
Authors Note: OK…so this is a WIP!! I started writing this a long time ago and got quite a lot of it done.  However, I'm going to post it in parts to give myself a chance to finish it without everyone having to wait around for the ending. Oh…and it's my longest fic ever!! I'll tell you exactly how long when I post the final part! I'm really not sure about this one simply because I wrote it so long ago, so any feedback will be welcomed!! The reason I decided to finish this is because of the challenge put forward by Sam on the SamJack group! (Hope this is what you were kind of looking for!!) Anyway, enough babbling…here we go…



***

Part 1

So the end had come. Granted, a lot sooner than we'd all really expected, but nether the less, it had come.
Yesterday Kinsey had ordered we shut down the Stargate programme, and the gate is scheduled to be buried in a couple of days. I don't think I'll be there. Too many memories just being buried under a tonne of dirt and concrete is probably a bit too much for me to bear at the moment.
Daniel is still reeling because of his whole 'alternate reality' thing. The Colonel is just royally pissed at Kinsey. Teal'c however remains impassive, even though in four hours he will leave for Chu'lak, never to return to earth. I think earth has really disappointed him, although he'd never say that of course. We cannot help the fight for freedom to which he has pledged his life anymore. We won't know what's happening with him, if he's winning the war or not. The war that all of the SGC has fought for the last year, and now it's just ending as we're getting started.

These are my thoughts as I sit here on the bench in the locker room, where many conversations and laughs have passed. I've just taken my last shower here and changed out of my BDU's into civvies. I didn't really want to put my dress uniform on straight away and be in it four hours before the goodbye ceremony. Slipping on my right black healed sandal, I hear the guys coming down the corridor. The Colonel's and Daniel's voices can probably heard all over the base, as they continue to debate Kinsey's decision, but in the words of the General, it's out of our hands now.
The door slowly opens to reveal Teal'c. He enters the room, nodding as he passes me on the bench. He can tell how much this whole situation is hurting us all. I try and smile up at him, but it's a pretty feeble attempt, so my gaze returns to the hard stone floor below me. The door flies open once more, hitting the wall and making me jump. The Colonel walks in, closely followed by Daniel.
'Look Daniel, you've really gotta get off this "alternate reality" kick your on.'
'I'll remind you of that when the Goa'uld start attacking shall I?'
The Colonel made no reply to this. He merely stalks over to his locker, grabs his kit and heads for the showers. Daniel's wearing a look on his face that I've seen so often. The one that says ' I really cannot believe you sometimes'. Then he turns to me, acknowledging my presence.
'Hey Sam. How ya doin?' he asks.
'Im doin OK, thanks Daniel,' I reply. I also think its about time I left.
'I was actually just leaving. Got some stuff to do in my office, things I need to sort out, so I guess I'll see you later at the General's goodbye speech.'
'OK, we'll see you later then.'
I get up, walk to the door and don't look back. It's not goodbye just yet. As I pull the door open slowly I hear the familiar noise of the shower starting up as the Colonel probably prepares to drown himself.
The door clicks, as do my shoes as I make off down the corridor towards the elevator and down to my office, to start the long job of collecting up the memories held there.

***

Three hours later I've boxed everything up in my office, although most of it will have o be destroyed anyway. It's hard to accept that all that hard work is just going to be incinerated. Daniel's gonna have a long job ahead of him, boxing up all those artefacts, or rocks as the Colonel so often calls them. I wonder what Daniel will do. Probably go off on some dig somewhere in the most remote place he can find. I don't know about the Colonel, although I have a suspicion he might retire again. I can't really see him wanting to carry on, knowing he can't do what he's been doing for the past year. And I guess I'll have to transfer back to the Pentagon. Back to being the astrophysicist and research scientist. I'm brought of my stupor by the phone ringing.
'Carter.'
'Captain Carter, this is General Hammond. Just to let you know Captain, that we're having a small gathering tonight, to say goodbye's and alike.'
'Thank you sir. Where is this happening?'
'Colonel O'Neill has offered us the use of his house. Things begin at around 20:00 hour.'
'OK sir, I'll' be there.'
'Good Captain. I'll see you in the gate room in an hour.'
'Yes sir.'
The line on the end cuts out. Just what I need. A party with people I'll never see again and alcohol. Not a good combination. I'm disturbed again, but this time it's by someone knocking on the door.
'It's open,' I call, and a rather depressed looking Colonel O'Neill pokes his head around the edge of the door.
'Sir, hi,' I say, mildly surprised to see him.
'Hey Carter. Can I come in?'
'Of course,' I reply taking a seat on one of the file filled boxes, indicating for him to do the same. He pushes the door shut, and comes and sits down opposite me. It's difficult to gage his mood. Sure he's sad, but it's why he's here is the part I can't figure out. Guess I'll find out.
'I came by to ask if you'd come down to Daniel's office. We're making a farewell video for Teal'c. So he doesn't forget us…' he trails off.
'Of course sir. Now?'
'In a minute. Daniel's just setting up the stage.'
'Stage?' I query.
'Don't ask,' he replies.
There is still something bugging him, and I don't think he's gonna be telling me anytime soon, so I try and start another conversation thread.
'Err, just had a call from the General, about the get together at your place tonight,' I prompt.
'Hey, I only offered to have it at mine so I could drink. Besides, it was General Hammond's idea, not mine.'
'Oh,' I say a bit flatly. After a few moments of us both staring at the ground I decide to try again.
'Colonel, is there something else, something bothering you?'
His head snaps up a bit suddenly.
'Why?'
'It's just you seem, a little tense.'
His gaze falters away from me, as if he's preparing to confess.
'It's nothing important.'
'Well, with respect sir, it must be. You look like a dog what just had his tail cut off. So, what's up?'
I can tell by the look in his eyes he knows that I wont give up.
'It's stupid, really. It's just…things shouldn't be ending like this, y'know? There's so much more we have to see, to do, to save…' and he trails off, but I understand.
'I know sir,' I reply. 'But we have our orders, and it's time to move on.'
'Maybe for you Carter, but for me it's retirement. No moving on, just lots of staying still.'
'Again sir?'
'Again for the last time.'
There's a slight pause.
'I'll be transferring back to Washington, so I doubt I'll be seeing much of you guys.'
His gaze moves to mine. Is it sadness I see in those eyes I so often try to figure out?
'Guess so.'
We sit in silence for another moment, until he stands and walks over to the door.
'So, if you could drop by Daniel's office when you've changed, we'll do the tape and then head to the ceremony, OK?'
'Yes sir. See you in a minute.
With that he hurriedly opens the door and leaves. I think the next 24 hours are going to be some of the hardest of my life.

***

Half an hour later I had changed into my dress uniform, gone down to Daniel's office and made Teal'cs video. It was hard to do without showing the emotion I really felt, but somehow I managed it. We just reminisced over all the things we'd been through, good times and bad, then said our individual goodbyes and signed off. I hope he'll like it.
We now find ourselves standing a little aimlessly, wondering what we should do now.
The Colonel seems to be coping a little better, and makes a suggestion to dispense of our hopeless situation.
'Hey, why don't you guys head down to the gate room, and I'll drop by Teal'cs quarters?'
Daniel and I can't seem to find any words so we just nod, and then he leaves.
'Lets go Sam.'
'Sure,' I reply, and we leave and walk to the gate room in silence. By the time we arrive the entire command is already there except for the Colonel and Teal'c. We walk past everyone and take our place next to General Hammond on the ramp; our privilege as the flag ship unit, or we used to be.
'Doctor Jackson, where's Colonel O'Neill and Teal'c?'
'Jack just went to get Teal'c from his quarters, he said he'd…'
Daniel was interrupted by the arrival of Teal'c.
'Teal'c, where's Colonel O'Neill?' the General asked in a confused tone.
'I have not seen O'Neill in several hours General Hammond.'
'Then where the hell is he? Captain?'
Of course, I have no idea where he is or what to say to the General. Trust the Colonel to go AWOL now.
'I have no idea sir, but I'll go find out,' is the best reply I can think of and hurriedly walk from the gate room. Where would the Colonel go? Not his office that's for sure, he never spent any time there in the first place. Commissary is the first place that flashes to mind so I sprint to the elevator. Arriving at my destination a few moments later I find it's totally deserted.
'Damn it. Where the hell is he?' I say aloud to no one. I'm already getting seriously annoyed. He could be anywhere, and the General along with rest of the SGC is waiting for me to find him. Where else would severely pissed off and upset Colonel go? Thinking…. maybe…. topside?
On arriving at the ground floor level I ask the guard if the Colonel has checked out.
'Yes Captain, about 15 minutes ago.'
I nod in acknowledgment of his reply, sign myself out and step out onto the semi gravel path. I ask the SF outside if he saw which direction Colonel O'Neill went in, and he points down a path leading into the shallow of a forest.
I semi-jog down the path, not knowing what to make of the Colonel's behaviour. This is totally unlike him…well…maybe not totally, but y'know. After jogging for two of three minutes, which is not easy in heels, I hear a rustling over to my left. It has to be the Colonel; no one else would be out here with what's going on inside. I slow down to a walking pace and veer off to my left slightly.
'Colonel?' I call out to the darkness.
'Carter?'
'Yes sir. Where are you?'
'Over here,' he calls while stepping into view.
'Sir, with respect, what the hell are you doing out here? Do you know what time it is?'
'Yes I know what time it is Carter.'
OK…
'Sir, everyone is waiting for us in the gate room. Hammond is pissed.'
'Well I could've guessed that.'
I'm really confused by his attitude and it must be showing on my face.
'Don't look so bemused Carter. Follow me.'
He turns and walks back into the trees, giving me little choice but to follow him. The trees and bushes are fairly dense for a moment until they emerge out into a clearing. In that moment I suddenly realise what he's been doing. Star gazing.
'I've been out here looking at the stars Carter. Daniel told me how the Tollan worked out where planets are, so I've been dong the same. For all the planets we've been to.'
I'm totally amazed by this I had no idea the Colonel could be so sentimental. I can't help the next words falling out of my mouth.
'Show me sir?'
He sits down on the soft moss below our feet and indicates for me to do the same, which I do. I'm a little wary, simply because I've never seen this side of the Colonel before, and to be honest, it worries and intrigues me at the same time. Once I'm seated comfortable he starts pointing at the sky.
'Those six constellations,' he says while pointing. I nod to say I've seen them. 'All mark together to a point of origin.' He points to a constellation in the centre of the group. 'Chu'lak,' he finishes.
'That's amazing,' are the only words I can form.
He continues to point out the different planets to me and 20 minutes later we are still there, lying down on our back facing the sky.
'Holy Hannah! Sir, we're seriously late for the speech. We have to go.'
'I know,' he replies looking directly at me. I go to stand but his arm makes contact with my arm first.
'It's really over, isn't it?'
Those words almost shatter my soul, and I don't know why.
'Yes sir,' is my quiet reply. 'Now, we have to go,' I repeat. I stand away from his grasp. Taking the cue he also rises. Nodding for me to lead the way. He follows in silence. What is going on with him? In fact, what is gong on in general? Things seem different…but I don't know how. Unfortunately there isn't really time to be thinking about this now. We've got goodbyes to say.

***

End of Part 1


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9/11/2002