Communications Breakdown

by John O'Connor

URL: http://www.area52hkh.net/asj/john/combd.php
Summary: The results of miscommunication

Janet Fraiser got out of her car, the area around her awash in the silver light of the moon.

'Full moon,' she thought. 'Looks big tonight.'

As she headed up the walk to her porch, she juggled her keys in one hand to get to the front door keys. On the way up, she saw the wavering blue light of the television in her living room.

Worriedly she paused. No one was home. Cass was supposed to out with Dominic until 11:15 at the absolute earliest. Did she or Cass leave it on earlier?

Then Janet saw the bike under the tree near the garage, a classic Indian motorcycle. Sam.

'Of course! Her house is being rebuilt after that weirdness with Orlin and her homemade Gate.'

Relieved, she entered the house. "He-ey!"

"Hi Janet," came the cheery greeting from the living room. "How's things at the base?"

"Good. Whatcha watchin'?" Janet shrugged out of her uniform jacket as she glanced at the screen.

"Discovery Channel. They are supposed to be covering the latest in astrophysics but..." Sam trailed off, shaking her head. She reached over and switched on the light next to her.

"So it's all old hat to you?"

"Yeah."

"Well, Sam, what do you expect? Most of what you know is still classified so..."

"Well, it's okay. 'South Park' is almost on."

"Oh yeah. Remind me to thank you for introducing that wonderful show to my daughter."

"What?" Sam asked innocently.

Janet just shook her head and went up to her room to change into more comfortable clothes than her dress blues.

On her way back downstairs, she heard Cartman's high-pitched, whiny voice shout, "Respect mah authawratay!"

She forced herself not to smile as she entered the front room again. She actually did find some aspects of the show funny but she'd never admit it. And a round, little, construction-paper kid playing "CHiPs" on a Big Wheel qualified, especially when he whacked other characters in the shins with his billy club.

'Hmm...maybe I should get one of those... Might come in handy with recalcitrant officers.'

"When did you tell Cass she had to be home?" Sam asked, barely looking away from the set.

"I gave her a curfew of 11 PM. Which means she'll be home no earlier than 11:15."

Sam nodded.

"I hear the President will be at the Academy graduation this term."

Janet smirked, "Which president?"

Sam just shook her head, she and Janet had disagreed on who should be in the White House. And Sam had long ago decided never argue politics with a woman who had access to needles and other implements of pain.

She glanced over at Janet and said, "Have I thanked you for letting me stay here?"

"Today or at all? Yes, you have. Several times. And I have told you it's a pleasure to have you. Helps relieve some of the parent/teenager stress. And I have someone I can talk to about work."

"I like that too."

A moment later, the front door slammed and Cassie stormed in yelling "Goddamnit!"

Sam tried not to smile, she sounded like Cartman just then. Janet, on the other hand, was not amused.

"Young lady! What did we discuss about language?"

"Well...I'm sorry!" Cassie said in a voice that indicated she was anything but sorry.

"What's the matter?" Sam asked, standing and walking towards the foyer.

"Dominic took my cherry! Without even asking!"

"Wha...?"

Sam's question was cut off by the thump of Janet's body hitting the floor.

"Janet?!?"

"Mom?!?"

The two conscious women knelt on either side of the prone doctor. Cassie nervously stroked Janet's forehead while Sam felt for a pulse.

"What happened? Did Mom have a...a heart attack?"

Sam shook her head, still holding Janet's wrist gently. "No. No need for a defibrillator." Sam looked up, her eyes sharply focused on the teen. "Not yet, anyway. What the hell do you mean he stole your cherry?"

"Off my sundae. The creep took my cherry off the whipped cream and ate it before I could stop him."

Sam's eyes softened slightly then shifted down to Janet who was starting to move.

The dark brown eyes fluttered open and she stared into Sam's eyes as if seeking answers to unasked questions.

Sam moved her hand from Janet's wrist to clasp her hand and help the doctor to her feet. "It's okay. You just passed out..."

"Passed out?" Janet was alarmed. Then her face shifted from confusion to a mix of anger and horror. "Dominic..."

Sam shook her head. "Nope. Not what you think. Mistake in communication."

"But... Cass? Did Dominic...hurt you?"

Suddenly, as it a switch was thrown, Cassandra understood what had happened - what she had said. "NO! No! Nothing like that! Jeez! What do you guys think I am?"

Janet didn't say anything. She was still trying to figure out what had happened when Sam spoke up.

"Janet, the kid lost the cherry on her sundae. Not... Not that."

"Sundae?" Janet was still confused but the horror left her face to be replaced with anger. "Cassandra Fraiser, do not ever tell me that again!"

"Janet," Sam interrupted. "Calm down. You're getting red..."

"And that vein is throbbing in your fore..."

Sam cut off Cassie with a sharp look.

"Janet, calm down. It was an honest mistake. If you don't settle down I may have to get a defib machine and try the paddles."

"Huh?" Janet shook her head. She was stunned by her own reaction to this whole incident. What was wrong with her?

"Lis...listen. I'm sorry. I don't know what... I guess my anger was a delayed reaction or... I'm sorry."

Janet hugged Cassie while Sam looked on with a small smile. "It's okay, Mom. I wasn't thinking either. I was just so mad..."

The Fraisers broke apart when the phone rang. Cassie grabbed the cordless from the cradle. As she answered, her face darkened.

"Oh. It's you. I don't want to talk... Dominic, I... Will you shut up? Domin...Domi... DOMINIC!"

The adults stared at each other. Their girl was really upset.

"I know you're sorry but... Well, maybe if you got me a present..." Cassie wandered out of the room idly chatting on the phone.

"Don't be on too long!" Janet called.

"Guess that's another crisis averted," Sam said.

"For now. But what about when she means it?" Janet asked.

"We'll deal with it."

"We will?" Janet asked.

"Yes. Look, I haven't always been the biggest help to you with her. Hell, I practically dumped her in your lap back when... Anyway, I've given this some thought and...

"I was going to bring this up later but now is as good a time as any. I want to do more. To spend more time with Cassie. And...and you. I have been spending so much time buried in the Mountain..."

"What brought this on?" Janet asked, sitting next to Sam on the small sofa.

"Lots of things. After that probe moved my mind..." Sam shuddered at the memory of being lost in cyberspace. "I felt so cut off from everyone and everything that matters. Dad, Mark and his family... But especially you and Cassandra. And then other things kept popping up... Cassie's birthday and..."

"Sam, I understand. And you should know you're always welcome here. Anytime. Cassie loves you. And she loves having you around." Janet paused and, in a lower voice, said, "More than me lately."

"Thank you." Sam hugged Janet tightly, her nose buried in the still-fragrant auburn hair.

"You always have a place here," Janet said into Sam's flannel shirt. "Now, no more self-pity."

"Nevermore." Sam chuckled.

"Seriously, Sam, you're as much a member of Cassie's family as I am. And..."

"And?"

"I kinda like having you around too." Janet smiled, her face lighting up.

"Undomesticated equines then..."

"Huh? Is that a band?" Janet was clearly confused by the apparent non-sequitor.

"No, goof! Remember when Jack was pinned to the wall by that alien pod? Teal'c said that rather than..." Sam shook her head, she knew Janet had other things on her mind at the time. "Never mind. I meant wild horse can't drag me away."

Janet smiled.

"Now then, Doctor. What's your problem?"

"Huh? I don't have a problem."

"Don't pull my turtle."

"What? Is this some new slang? What are you saying?"

"You know...pull my turtle. Yank my chain. I can understand before we knew what she was talking about but why did you get so upset afterwards? "

"I...I don't know."

"Janet, I have never accused you of being anything but the best damned doctor in the Air Force but I have to tell you, you are a liar."

"Sam..."

"Lie-yar!" Sam said in a sing-song way, her smile lightening the meaning. Then she glanced at Janet's denim skirt, "At least your pants can't catch fire..."

"Alright. I guess I was upset 'cause Cassie has more of a love life than I do."

"What are you talking about?"

"When was the last time I went on a date?" Sam shrugged. "See? And when I have had the rare evening out, I never see the guy again."

"Yeah, but Janet, at least you don't have them die on you. Anyway, who could you date that would be able to appreciate what a beautiful, caring person you are? Really no one without sufficient security clearance."

"Yeah but..."

"AAAHHHH!!!" Sam held up her hand, stifling Janet's fledgling protest. "You can't. Not unless you date someone in the project. Is there anyone there you'd go out with?"

"Well, Daniel is kinda cute but he's not my type."

Sam bristled at the implied criticism of a man she loved like her brother. "What's wrong with him?"

"He...he keeps hurting himself," Janet replied.

"Maybe he needs an excuse to be near you..."

"That would be so pathetic," Janet said with a giggle. Sam smiled and nodded. "Then there's Teal'c. I kinda think he has a crush on me."

"Ya think? I know he does."

"Yeah, but that wouldn't work. It'd be too much stress. I mean, I already have one person with a high security secret in my life. Another with secrets like that... No. Anyway, there's no...'oomph' there."

"What about Jack O'Neill?"

"Nice guy for an immature chauvinist but again..."

"No 'oomph'?"

"Right. And what about you while we're on the subject?"

"Jack and I? No. Not hardly. Maybe at one time, I had a...a crush on him but..."

"He still likes you," Janet said teasingly.

"Yeah, well..."

"So, there's no one you're interested in?"

"Yes. But..."

"Who?" Janet asked, scooting closer to get all the juicy details.

"No. Can't say."

"No fair Samantha. Give."

"All I can say is that the person is intelligent, caring, funny, strict, supportive, loving, irritating, and, occasionally, irrational."

"Hmm..."

"You'll never figure it out. Give it up," Sam said. "What about you? Anyone in particular?"

"Well, sort of, but they have no idea."

"Wanna tell me?"

Janet shook her head, "Nope. But the description you gave fits. But I'd add fixated too."

Sam and Janet suddenly found themselves staring into each other's eyes. Sam whispered, "Wouldn't... wouldn't it be funny if we were in love with the same...person?"

"Y-ye-yeah. Th-that'd be f-funny..."

From the hall came a shout, "No, it'd mean one of you has a hyper-inflated ego! Kiss each other already!"

Jumping to her feet, Janet yelled, "CASSANDRA!"

The teen came in, saying, "Jeez, it's obvious to just about anyone with half a brain. Even Dominic sees it. You two are nuts about each other."

"Cassie..." Sam said, shaking her head. "You've got it all wrong..."

"Oh? Who do you go to whenever you need support? And Mom? Who are you always - always talking about at dinner? Not to mention all those Meg Ryan movies you watch."

"Meg Ryan?" Sam asked.

"She kinda reminds Mom of you," Cassandra said.

"Cassie, go to bed," Janet said tensely.

"But it's not even 10 o'clock!" the teen whined. Then, at the look her mom threw her, she grudgingly agreed, "Alright, alright."

After saying good night to Sam, the teenager headed upstairs. Before she disappeared, Janet called out, "Good night! Love you!"

"Love you too," drifted down the stairs.

Seeing a bemused look on Sam's face, Janet said, "It's not that bad. She has cable. And her computer and her phone."

"It's not that. What's this about Meg Ryan?"

Janet closed her eyes and settled back on the couch. "I made some passing comment about how she reminded me of you in that one movie with Billy Crystal."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, and I happen to like her movies so Cass has made this big thing out of it."

"So that's why you sent her to bed without her cherry?" Sam teased.

Janet groaned, closing her eyes.

"You know, maybe she does have something there," Sam said.

Janet popped one eye open for a second. "Huh? About what?"

"You and me. Half the base thinks we're together. And..."

As Sam's voice trailed off, Janet opened both eyes and saw Sam standing in front of the window. "Sam?"

Without turning, Sam said, "She is right. I... Somewhere, at some time, I found myself thinking about you...romantically."

Janet got up and crossed the room. "Me? You're attracted to me?"

Sam nodded, drawing the curtain back to gaze sightlessly into the street. "I shouldn't have said anything. I guess I better get my stuff and... I'm sorry, Janet."

Janet placed her hand on Sam's shoulder, turning the taller woman, "I'm not."

With her other hand, she clasped the back of Sam's head and pulled the blonde's mouth to hers. Her fingers were tickled by the short hair on the nape of Sam's neck.

The simple kiss was stunning in it's affect on the tall woman. Just the feel of Janet's lips on hers made Sam groan aloud. When Janet pulled back, she felt like she'd lost something, something vital and important.

Sam stared at Janet, "Wha-what was...? I... Are you...?"

"Sam, sometimes you talk too damned much," Janet declared as she tugged Sam down for another, deeper kiss.

As she felt Janet's tongue slip into her mouth, she gave up any question about what was happening and just enjoyed it. Enjoyed it more than any other kiss in her life.

A few long, passion-filled minutes later, Janet took Sam's hand. "Come with me. I want you in my bed..."

Sam happily followed her friend and... What? Lover? She certainly hoped so.

* * * * * *

As the sun peeped into the bedroom, it's rays gleaming on the exposed skin of Janet's buttocks, Sam sat propped up on the head board. Her eyes were gazing happily at Janet's beautiful back. It was one of the sexiest things she'd ever seen.

Janet turned her head, her eyes searching Sam's. "Good morning."

"Morning, beautiful."

Janet smiled for a moment. "So, how are we this morning?"

"Well, I'm fine. You?"

Janet sighed in relief. "Me too." Her eyes drifted down to Sam's bare chest, the eyes locking on the hard nipples.

"What?"

"Your breasts look so lovely in the morning sun."

"I was thinking the same thing about your butt."

"Butt... How romantic.!" Janet giggled.

"Well then, your ass."

Janet moved up and kissed Sam.

"Hmm... Now that's something I could get used to - a 'good morning' kiss."

"Well, I'm sure we can fit a few more in here and there. How long until your house is fixed?"

"Not long enough..."

Janet yawned. Sam snickered, "You know, it's not like I was discussing astrophysics..."

"No, just that someone kept me up awfully late."

"Sorry - not!" Sam laughed. "Wanna ride in with me this morning?"

"Not on your bike but I'll drive. But we have stop at a Starbucks."

"Let me guess: triple grande latte, light caramel syrup, no foam, 150 degrees."

Janet snuggled against Sam and smiled, "This relationship is already off to a great start!"

And happily (but unknown to the two women) there was no end in sight.

The End.