TITLE: Out of Control
AUTHOR: Matt, March 2005
SUMMARY: A couple of missing scenes from Threads
SEASON: 8
RATING: Matt's usual non-adult fare, although there is some use of strong language (no F word)
DISCLAIMER: While I do not own the characters of this story, I do own the writing. However, please note I make no money from either
THANKS: To Allie, beta extraordinaire, for making me think about my writing

CHAPTER ONE

He wasn't sure who he'd been expecting on the other end of the line, but Kerry hadn't been anywhere near the forefront of his thoughts.

"Where the hell are you?" he asked. The background noise was loud; a mix of heavy beats and loud voices.

"I'm at some club, got dragged to it by well-meaning friends."

"Bit unusual for you, isn't it?" He meant the club for he knew she'd made a couple of good friendships in the short time she'd been in Colorado Springs.

"Jack, listen to me. I've only got a few minutes here."

She sounded urgent enough that Jack pulled himself into a sitting position and switched on the light. A glance at his clock told him it was late – almost midnight. "I'm listening."

"She broke off the engagement."

"Huh?"

"Colonel Carter broke off her engagement."

"And how would you know that?"

Kerry laughed, and then Jack heard a female voice in the background asking if she wanted another drink. "No, I'm good," she replied before turning her attention back to Jack. "It's the funniest thing, but I ran into him at the bar a short while ago. He's here with some colleagues apparently."

"So?" Jack was confused. Granted, he had just woken up, but he couldn't understand why Kerry would be giving him this news. And he had a feeling Kerry felt it was perfectly obvious why she'd called him.

"So?" There was a pause, more muffled voices, and then, "Shit, I've gotta go."

The conversation ended with the beep of her cellphone.

Jack sighed, placed his phone back on the bedside table, and swung his legs out of bed. Moments later he was standing in his kitchen, running his fingers through his hair and trying to digest the intel he'd just been handed.

He knew Kerry wasn't just a desk flunkie sent to assess the SGC. She'd been a field operative until an injury had temporarily sidelined her. Damn, she'd obviously been good at her job; she'd successfully figured out what was going on in his head – or who was actually in his heart – and backed out before she got in over her head. There was no doubt that tonight she'd used some of those intelligence-gathering skills she'd learned over the years to obtain this information.

So, Carter had broken off her engagement with the cop. He didn't know whether to be happy or sad over that piece of news. The woman he loved had been through a lot over the past few days, both professionally and personally. Daniel was missing – again. The Jaffa were in trouble – again. And then there'd been Jacob.

Jack would be the first to admit that he and Jacob hadn't seen eye to eye when they'd first met; maybe it was the way the two-star General had been so uptight while Jack had been his charming, yet flippant, self. Over the years, however, a rapport had developed between them. They worked well together and could be frank in their discussions with each other. Jack was fairly certain Selmak had had a lot to do with that, but it was also surprising how Selmak had seemed different from other Tok'ra. If it was true that the symbiote took on aspects of the host's character, then maybe Jacob really just had been an overprotective father wanting the best for his daughter.

The phone rang again and Jack picked it up, only to be greeted with the sound of a toilet flushing. "Oh-kay," he said slowly.

"Sorry," the voice at the other end said with a giggle. "I was about to say I'd found a place that was a little quieter."

"Obviously," Jack remarked dryly.

"Anyway, he's here, he's getting drunk with his friends, and it's apparent they're trying to fix him up with someone else."

"So?"

"We're still friends, aren't we?" the voice asked quietly.

Jack stared down at his counter-top. When they'd begun seeing each other, they'd agreed that whatever happened wouldn't affect their working relationship. He wasn't sure friendship had come into it – and maybe that had been part of the problem with the intimate relationship – but he decided to let it slide for now. "Sure," he replied easily.

"Well, as your friend, I'm also going to try to fix you up with someone else."

He shook his head. "Kerry, I am not coming to whatever club you're all at…"

"I'm not telling you to come here," she cut in. "I'm telling you to go there. Go and see Colonel Carter."

"Why?"

"Why? Oh jeez, Jack, you are so damn stubborn. Do you even remember the conversation we had in your office?"

Of course he did. No one forgets being ditched. "You broke up with me," he replied. "How could I forget?"

"Well, I hope you remember the rest of the conversation equally as well," she retorted. "I don't think retirement from the military would be considered a crime, you know. But for goodness' sake, Jack, at least talk things through with her. Before she slips through your fingers again."

"It's not the right time," he tried to bluster.

There was a groan. "Jack, you almost ran out of time once. Do you really want that to happen again?"

And he had to admit that he didn't.

TBC