Alternatively

Chapter 1: Differences

I should have known something was wrong the moment she stepped out of the Stargate. There was something different, an aura around her maybe, about her. It was the way she looked at him, with a quiet small smile. She nodded to General Hammond and started towards the infirmary. If I hadn't been me and we hadn't been SG1 her actions would probably have gone unnoticed but since we are ourselves and what team we are they didn't. She brushed her right bang out of her eye with her left hand and then ever so smally held said hand out behind her for him to follow, closely.

I was shocked. I mean she is the strong self sufficient Major Carter I've never seen her reach out for anyone never mind him. Daniel and I followed them, watching closely; apparently he was just as shocked as I was. She flitted quietly, softly by his side. He nodded occasionally; a raise of an eyebrow here, even graced the almost one-sided conversation with 'Indeed' a couple times. It was odd how close she stood to him. There was not two inches between them. A few times they actually bumped into each other. The first time he bowed his head and made as if to gesture apologize when he stopped. I think he must have caught a look in her eye; she's so good at talking with her eyes, because he didn't and never tried to again. And man he must have working on his jokes because there was not one moment when the smile left her face. It was a gentle almost shy, unassuming smile that spoke volumes of care.

I turned to Daniel. "Did I miss something?" He tore his eyes away from the, what seemed to be a, couple. "I think Jack that we haven't been getting our memos." I nodded rustily, a grimace working its way onto my face. "I never get my memos."

Sam hopped onto the infirmary bed and grinned as Janet approached. She laughed, "Hey Jan." She nodded to our CMO and rolled up her sleeve. "So how's it hangin' with ah ya know?" She nodded in Daniel and my direction. We throw each other looks of shock and surprise Janet is not seeing either one of us.. to my knowledge… probably missing more memos

Janet looked up in surprise, throwing a glance in our way before starting her examination. "Oh, well you know Sam. Same old same old." She took a blood sample and checked Sam over.

At Janet's low-key non-response Sam chuckled. "Alright Jan tell me bout it later." She winked and swung off the examination table. "And Jan," she leaned in and almost whispered, "let me know how the results come back. Okay?" She smiled gratefully and headed over to us, Teal'c following her. Janet nodded slowly still extremely confused.

"Hey, you guys hungry?" Without pausing she rubbed her stomach and huffed. "I am so starving lets go to the commish, I haven't eaten a real meal in like forever." She smiled over her shoulder and him and bounded out of the infirmary. I've never seen a Jaffa smile but I think Teal'c came pretty close watching her sashay out of there.

The three of us walked slowly after her and watched, fascinated at this new strangeness that called herself Samantha Carter. The woman that we knew was gone in her place was this bubbly creature who piled the strangest sugars and fruits onto her platter. Humming and smiling to herself as she made her way to SG1's table.

We men shook our collective heads and made our way to the line and the table. Teal'c approached first and her eyes motioned for him to sit next to her. He bowed his head and rounded the table. Daniel took his customary position across from her which forced me to sit across from Teal'c. Awkward? Yeah.

Sam sent quick glances in his direction and smiled at his really not so funny jokes. Suddenly she slowed her chewing and looked directly at me. "Colonel? You didn't hurt her did you?" I looked around for the mysterious her. "Noo.." I said slowly. She sat back up. "Good. Cause you do, and I will so kick your ass." I choked on my, whatever I was eating. "Excuse me Carter." I must have heard her wrong. She is never insubordinate. Never. Ever. Ever. She turned back into her food. "Yes sir. You hurt her and I will wipe up the commissary with you ass." Beat "Sir." She grinned up at us. Before turning her attention towards Daniel.

"You man." She smiled and waved her fork at him. Almost dangerously I'm sure. "How's it going with you. I mean how's your love life?" She smiled almost pleasantly but there was a hint of torture in her eye. Daniel swallowed slowly and tried to formulate a response but he had none. Carter was off her rocker. It was official.

SG1 please report to the Infirmary

Sam looked up worriedly as her right head reached out, as if it were normal, for Teal'c's arm. Her eyes glazed over as she raised herself and stride purposefully towards the exit.

Teal'c frowned. "I believe that we too should accompany Major Carter." We followed after her.