Office hours/Archaeology

[the-ascended.livejournal.com]

Daniel had stuck a note on the classroom door directing any archaeology students who turned up to find him in his office if they needed him.

Having sent his letter of acceptance off yesterday afternoon, he was now listing what needed to be done before he went.

He also had Expedia open on his computer.

Comments

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

She stood up and started pacing, hands in pockets. "So, I don't know whether it's a Jack thing or a Mac thing, you know? If I'm obsessing over Jack to the point where I'm attracted to his double just because they're identical, I'm desperately in need of a life and therapy. Not to mention that it's completely unfair to Mac."

"Daniel, what the hell am I going to do?"

[the-ascended.livejournal.com]

"First, you're going to breathe," Daniel said. "And Sam, if you think you might need therapy, then go. Not everyone in that job is like MacKenzie, y'know?"

He sighed. "I don't know, and it's something that you do need to work out for yourself. First, I think you need to address what feelings you have, and have had for Jack."

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

"I know," she leaned against his desk, arms folded, "but honestly, after what we've gone through, who can help? There's no such thing as empathy in this situation--I'm a clone of a forty-year-old astrophysicist who's died and been possessed by alien entities. I have nightmares of seeing my friends die--sometimes more than once," she shot him a look.

"I know what I felt for him. What I feel for him now is a little more complicated."

[the-ascended.livejournal.com]

Daniel had the graciousness to wince there. "No, that's true," he admitted. "But talking about it should help."

"Okay. You wanna talk it out with me?"

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

Sam inhaled sharply, never having said the actual words out loud to Daniel before. "I loved him. But you knew that. And I loved him for a long time, and under circumstances...well, you know what the circumstances were."

"Among other things, I thought this was our chance. But then he disappeared, but it was bad before then." She sighed and looked at him, "but I can't stop loving Jack O'Neill just because he was an ass," she quirked a grin at him, "or it would have been over years ago."

"As for Mac? I have no idea, not that it matters anyway at this point. He's gone."

[the-ascended.livejournal.com]

Daniel nodded slowly. "I do know all of that."

He grinned slightly at her. "And if he came back?" he asked.

"I didn't know that. But, maybe it's a good thing? Take a step back and think about it. Write to him? Get to know him as Mac and don't just see him as some guy that looks like Jack."

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

"If he came back?" Sam looked mutinous, "he'd better have a damn good explanation and be able to block a punch or he's not going to be able to talk until his jaw heals."

"Gone as in not coming back," she said, sadly. "That's not a bad idea, though. Assuming I ever figure out what to say--because wow, can you not understand this without having been through it."

[the-ascended.livejournal.com]

Daniel tried really hard not to snicker, but failed.

He moved out from behind the desk to hug her. "You're right. I've not got the slightest in how to understand this. But if you need someone to talk to, even if I have to call you at midnight from Egypt, I'm always here for you. Remember that."

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

"I didn't mean you, you know," she said, hugging him back, "You've got your own issues to deal with about this. And I know--and I love you for it, among many, many other reasons."

[the-ascended.livejournal.com]

"Yes, but we're not talking about my issues today. We just don't have the time," Daniel grinned. "I love you too. I'm going to miss you this summer."

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

"We can make the time," Sam said, seriously. "Any time you need it--this is a two way street, you know."

"I'm going to miss you tons. And you better not die again. It's getting old."

[the-ascended.livejournal.com]

"I know," Daniel said, squeezing her slightly. "Thank you."

He chuckled slightly. "I really don't intend to die, y'know? It's not the most pleasant of things."

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

"Not from the other side, either."

[the-ascended.livejournal.com]

Daniel clenched his hand. "No," he agreed softly.

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

She hugged him tightly. "We should make a pact."

[the-ascended.livejournal.com]

Daniel clung slightly. "Yeah, we should. And I should apologize for being the first to break it, I'm sure."

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

"Not yet. Hopefully not ever."

[the-ascended.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, I hope not too."