Chapter Text
Chapter 1: Beginning
I’m sitting at a Barbecue with my girlfriend and her team. After my mishap with them the other day, I’m surprised I’m welcome. The chick with the glowing eyes is probably more welcome than I am.
But they’ve made an effort, and for Sam I will do the same. She hasn’t talked much about this group of men, but I can tell there’s a bond that will forever be there. She’s currently having a very heated discussion with Daniel about some artifact they recently found. Teal’c is listening, but from across the yard I can tell that he’s still sizing me up to determine whether or not he trusts me. Like an overprotective brother.
Somewhere around here is Colonel O’Neill. He was the one who initially invited me over after I was released from their infirmary. He hasn’t said more than 10 words to me though. From what I can tell he is the hardest nut to crack in regards to his working relationship with Sam. He’s the leader, but beyond that there’s not much else I know about him.
“Enjoying the evening?” He says holding out another beer for me. His eyes were questioning me a bit.
He’s standing to the right of me. He must have been in the house cleaning up and I didn’t hear him return. It’s clear to me that he’s special ops trained and that his switch still hasn’t turned off with me yet.
I take the beer and nod to him, acknowledging that this evening had been nice.
“Thank you, again for the invite. It’s been nice to see this side of Sam. Another piece to her puzzle.” I say.
He looks at me quizzically. As if he’s not sure what to make of what I’ve just said. I look away and allow him to make the next move.
Because that’s what this is. He’s sizing me up as someone who’s now entered the fold. I know he helped get me clearance, Sam made a point to mention it while she disclosed the Stargate program to me. Before long he breaks the silence.
“I know about the background check.” He says quietly. And I feel my heart start to pound. This man may not be the size of Teal’c, but there’s no mistake that he is not to be trifled with.
“And…” I reply.
“She doesn’t know about it. General Hammond and I decided not to tell her. I hope this is the last time I have to have this conversation with you, but I want you to understand who you’re dating.” He turns towards me, beer still causally in his hand. “She isn’t just a run of the mill Air Force officer. Carter is the foremost expert on the Stargate. She is the most invaluable member of our team, base, and possibly the world. No one so much as drives by her house without someone at the SGC knowing about it. So imagine what flags popped up when a random FBI agent runs a check.” His voice is still casual but there’s another element that I can’t quite place.
“Do you see Daniel over there?” He asks.
I nod and look toward the other members of his team.
“He’s the annoying nerdy big brother that couldn’t hurt a fly. He’s not very strong or aware of those around him, but he’s the one she’s going to talk to about relationship and life. We lost him about 2 years ago. It nearly broke her. He’s essential to her balance of soldier and scientist.” He calmly explains. I’m beginning to understand what’s happening between him and I a little more. He’s telling me what no background check could.
“Now T. T might be the scariest one of all of us. But in a way, he’s our gentle giant. He is essential to Sam’s stress level. Daniel and I tend to break things out of boredom or frustration when she’s working on a very important piece of technology. So much so that she keeps things for Daniel and I to fidget with in her lab so that we won’t break her new toy. Teal’c though? He never says a word. They could sit together for hours and not say a word. She often requests that he stay with her if we get split up on a mission so she has a silent sounding board for her ideas. He knows when she needs comfort. He can sense it…” As he trails off, he smiles as he sees Sam turn to Teal’c with a small grin and laugh. I’ve never seen her laugh like that before.
“You have quite a team, colonel. I’m once again finding myself sorry that I almost blew your mission a few days ago…”
He turns to me, and I can see that he’s not happy about the reminder, but i see understanding pass over his features. We share a knowing look and look back at Sam who has noticed the two of us talking.
“Pete, you’re intentions were good. The way you did it was not. I see that you know that now.”
“I do.” I reply.
After a few more quiet moments have passed, he finishes his beer and moves to go to the group to send them home. He turns back to me, and looks at me with the dark brown eyes of a soldier.
“Take care of her.”
We share a knowing look, and then he turns back to his team. And I can’t shake the sense that he’s just passed her hand, to me.