Fic: Persistence of Memory 12/14
Chapter Twelve
***
“I knew something wasn’t right,” Thera whispered to Jonah where they rested together in the private alcove, “The power readings, the lack of memories, new workers from nowhere, everything just didn’t add up.”
Jonah grunted non-commitedly. His own mind weighing up possibilities and a future. He wasn’t sure whether it was better to challenge the authorities, demand the truth and risk banishment to the outside for the chance of something else, something better. Or to keep quiet, wait and see whether their conclusions really did amount to a conspiracy.
But Jonah knew he wasn’t a patient person.
However, he had Thera to consider. He didn’t want their relationship to end. He frowned for a moment, why did he automatically assume that if they followed this hunch, he would lose her?
"Don’t look at me like that,” Thera interrupted his thoughts.
"Like what?”
"Like I’m going to disappear,” Thera said, “I know the risks and I’m not going to leave your side. It’s where I belong.”
"Where you belong,” A smile lifted the corner of Jonah’s lips, “I like the sound of that.”
"I mean it,” Thera said firmly, “When I’m with you, I feel safe. I feel supported and light and I trust you. It’s not going to change, no matter what we find out. I‘d follow you anywhere.” She also had this strange sensation that she would do anything he asked, without question. But she wasn’t about to tell him that.
"When I look at you I feel connected, like I could trust you with anything and…” Jonah trailed off, something else rushed at him with the wave of trust he felt when he saw Thera, but he couldn’t put a word to the feeling. It was indescribable, but at the same time, Jonah knew that it was unbreakable.
"Whatever happens, we’ll go it together.” Jonah pressed a kiss to Thera’s temple. He couldn’t think of anything that would be more important, than what they had.
Thera pressed closer to him as she agreed, “Naturally.”
***
Sam curled up on her military-issue bunk, the scratchy, worn sheets against her skin and the thin blanket spread over her body. Both of her hands rested against her stomach, still flat with no hint of the life that grew inside her, but already Sam felt different. It was a strange feeling, as if something both very foreign yet very connected was within her. Something very much wanted.
She had firmly decided on keeping this child. And with that decision made within her mind, she turned her thoughts to the other factor in the equation. She could still hear his words, telling her that he wanted not just the baby. He wanted her. Sam; not Thera, her.
She would be lying if she denied that feelings existed before their fateful trip to the icy planet. Years of easy flirting and attraction had melded into something much deeper than friendship and a hero-worship style crush.
On the edge of her consciousness, she questioned her feelings; real as they were, was she just playing the safe bet? Going with the familiar and someone very much an authority figure for the safety and comfort it would bring? The thought didn’t sit well with Sam. She was a strong woman, independent and successful in her own right.
But that didn’t mean that she didn’t want someone to come home to at night. Someone to share something other than work with at the end of her day.
And that was what worried Sam.
Take away their work, take away the SGC and the Air Force, the high pressure affect of their jobs. Would the feelings still be there or was this just a result of the lives and the close proximity their lifestyle had? In three months or three years, would her stomach still twist at the mere sight of him, would his lame humour still bring a smile to her lips?
Although, wasn’t that exactly what Jonah and Thera had been? No ranks or SGC or life threatening work, just the two of them. Essentially the same, but with a different life to lead. They had been drawn together from the very beginning, the mind stamp couldn’t take away the strength of their bond. Thera had fallen for Jonah completely, and when she remembered the fierce passion that emanated from Jonah’s eyes, she knew he felt the same.
So, all this really boiled down to was what exactly did she want? Did she want to risk pain and uncertainty and pursue a relationship with the colonel, with Jack, while starting the terrifying new job of motherhood? Or did she want their relationship to stay the same as it had always been on Earth, always at a distance, but the way it had worked in seamless perfection for years?
What did she want?
Sam pressed her face into the pillow, knowing she had her answer.
***
Chapter Thirteen
Previous Chapters
***
“I knew something wasn’t right,” Thera whispered to Jonah where they rested together in the private alcove, “The power readings, the lack of memories, new workers from nowhere, everything just didn’t add up.”
Jonah grunted non-commitedly. His own mind weighing up possibilities and a future. He wasn’t sure whether it was better to challenge the authorities, demand the truth and risk banishment to the outside for the chance of something else, something better. Or to keep quiet, wait and see whether their conclusions really did amount to a conspiracy.
But Jonah knew he wasn’t a patient person.
However, he had Thera to consider. He didn’t want their relationship to end. He frowned for a moment, why did he automatically assume that if they followed this hunch, he would lose her?
"Don’t look at me like that,” Thera interrupted his thoughts.
"Like what?”
"Like I’m going to disappear,” Thera said, “I know the risks and I’m not going to leave your side. It’s where I belong.”
"Where you belong,” A smile lifted the corner of Jonah’s lips, “I like the sound of that.”
"I mean it,” Thera said firmly, “When I’m with you, I feel safe. I feel supported and light and I trust you. It’s not going to change, no matter what we find out. I‘d follow you anywhere.” She also had this strange sensation that she would do anything he asked, without question. But she wasn’t about to tell him that.
"When I look at you I feel connected, like I could trust you with anything and…” Jonah trailed off, something else rushed at him with the wave of trust he felt when he saw Thera, but he couldn’t put a word to the feeling. It was indescribable, but at the same time, Jonah knew that it was unbreakable.
"Whatever happens, we’ll go it together.” Jonah pressed a kiss to Thera’s temple. He couldn’t think of anything that would be more important, than what they had.
Thera pressed closer to him as she agreed, “Naturally.”
***
Sam curled up on her military-issue bunk, the scratchy, worn sheets against her skin and the thin blanket spread over her body. Both of her hands rested against her stomach, still flat with no hint of the life that grew inside her, but already Sam felt different. It was a strange feeling, as if something both very foreign yet very connected was within her. Something very much wanted.
She had firmly decided on keeping this child. And with that decision made within her mind, she turned her thoughts to the other factor in the equation. She could still hear his words, telling her that he wanted not just the baby. He wanted her. Sam; not Thera, her.
She would be lying if she denied that feelings existed before their fateful trip to the icy planet. Years of easy flirting and attraction had melded into something much deeper than friendship and a hero-worship style crush.
On the edge of her consciousness, she questioned her feelings; real as they were, was she just playing the safe bet? Going with the familiar and someone very much an authority figure for the safety and comfort it would bring? The thought didn’t sit well with Sam. She was a strong woman, independent and successful in her own right.
But that didn’t mean that she didn’t want someone to come home to at night. Someone to share something other than work with at the end of her day.
And that was what worried Sam.
Take away their work, take away the SGC and the Air Force, the high pressure affect of their jobs. Would the feelings still be there or was this just a result of the lives and the close proximity their lifestyle had? In three months or three years, would her stomach still twist at the mere sight of him, would his lame humour still bring a smile to her lips?
Although, wasn’t that exactly what Jonah and Thera had been? No ranks or SGC or life threatening work, just the two of them. Essentially the same, but with a different life to lead. They had been drawn together from the very beginning, the mind stamp couldn’t take away the strength of their bond. Thera had fallen for Jonah completely, and when she remembered the fierce passion that emanated from Jonah’s eyes, she knew he felt the same.
So, all this really boiled down to was what exactly did she want? Did she want to risk pain and uncertainty and pursue a relationship with the colonel, with Jack, while starting the terrifying new job of motherhood? Or did she want their relationship to stay the same as it had always been on Earth, always at a distance, but the way it had worked in seamless perfection for years?
What did she want?
Sam pressed her face into the pillow, knowing she had her answer.
***
Chapter Thirteen
Previous Chapters