#GITESITL

[geneeste]

I promised to post some bits of the sequel to a goddamn blaze in the dark, tentatively titled glitter in their eyes, smoke in their lungs, if there was interest, and there was! Thanks @elena1701a!

Keep in mind that this is very much a WIP and that anything in it can change (including the title!), but I hope you enjoy!

These scenes take place a little bit after the first one I posted, while Sam and Catherine and SG-1 are suiting up for their mission to try to find Earnest Littlefield.

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It's surprisingly easy for Sam to get ready. They keep a range of uniforms on base, and she already wears standard-issue boots as a rule — she's learned from experience to be prepared for all eventualities.

In fact, it feels right in a way that Sam hadn't expected, and if she's being honest with herself, hasn't felt in years. She makes do with her suits, turns them into her own personal uniform, but it's not the same as putting on the clothes that mark you as part of something, aligned with the troops around you. She's missed it.

So despite her nerves, she feels strangely normal, at least until she's standing in front of the mirror trying to figure out what to do with her hair.

It's the one area where she wasn't prepared. Her standard chignon won't hold up through gate travel, and she doesn't have enough hair ties to do a basic training bun that'll stay secured off-world. It almost makes her long for the short boy cut she'd gone for when she deployed the last time.

Almost, but not really.

Catherine must notice her hair-related turmoil, because she comes over once she's dressed. “Would you like me to french braid it for you? It'll only take a few minutes.”

Sam gives her a relieved, rueful smile. “Please. And thank you,” she says and sits on the bench.

True to her word, Catherine makes quick work of it. She tucks the long tail up under the braid of Sam's hair, and Sam uses the hairpins from her chignon to secure it.

She checks the mirror again, and it looks pretty slicked down now, but Sam hopes the military contingent of her team will forgive any flyaways that appear, because she doesn't have any hair gel or hairspray to make sure they don't.

She knows she should get going, but she's caught for a minute staring at her own reflection. She has to fight through the sudden feeling of surreality.

Catherine steps up beside her. “Feels strange, doesn't it? Looking at the past from where we are now.”

Sam's heart squeezes in sympathy. “We'll find him.”

“I think that's what I'm afraid of,” Catherine says quietly.

Sam nods sadly, then puts her arm around her friend and leads her out of the locker room.

~*~

“Poor Catherine,” Daniel says as he checks his backpack. “I can't imagine what she's feeling right now.”

Jack pulls his own pack and vest out to check their supplies. “Oh, you probably can. A little excited, a little pissed off. Plenty stubborn.”

“You've got a point,” Daniel replies. He pulls out a notebook, shuffles through the pages, replaces it. “Speaking of, I thought Doctor Carter would be more excited about going through the Stargate, considering the technology is her specialty. General Hammond had to practically order her to join us.”

“It is a wise scholar who understands their own limitations,” Teal'c offers. He's already dressed and ready to go, as he usually is. He seems to like waiting for them and going out as a team.

Kawalsky looks up from lacing up his boots. “You don’t think she's up for it?”

“She appears very capable. However, she may not feel so.”

Kawalsky hums. “But then what was up with all the we don't leave our people behind stuff? That got weird.”

“She and Catherine seem like they're close. Maybe she was just being a good friend,” Daniel says, then frowns. “Although didn't you say she was a veteran?” he asks Jack. “I wonder if she knew someone who was missing in action or something.”

“It's really none of our business, Daniel,” Jack says, trying to get him off the subject or he might do something stupid like ask Sam about it the next time he sees her.

“She'd probably tell you,” Kawalsky tells Jack suggestively.

Jack swears internally when Daniel throws Kawalsky a questioning look. “Why do you say that?”

“They have a thing,” Kawalsky says, grinning.

“Really?” Daniel says, turning all the way around. “Since when?”

“Since Janet's party. You didn't notice?”

“No, I didn't,” Daniel replies, smiling a little. And then to Jack, “Boy do you have a type.”

Jack zips his tactical vest up testily, having had enough of this conversation. He leans down to tuck his laces into his boots, talking to the floor. “I don't have a type because there is nothing going on with me and Doctor Carter. It was a one-time thing and it's over, end of story.”

“Sure,” Kawalsky says. “That's why you looked like you wanted to shoot Mitchell when he got handsy with her in the hallway.”

That's not why he'd wanted to shoot Mitchell. It was because, for a second after she'd seen Mitchell passing her, she'd grabbed his arm like he was the only thing keeping her tethered in the corridor. She hadn't just looked surprised, she'd looked lost.

And fine, she'd hugged him back and seemed happy to see the guy, but something about her was off. Maybe they were just old friends, but he can't convince himself that all the memories they shared were good.

But he'll be damned if he tells Kawalsky or anyone else that. “Kawalsky,” he snaps.

Kawalsky just shrugs, years of serving with Jack making him immune to his growling. “Then you won't mind if I ask her out. I'm sure I could get her to open up.”

That hits home, not because Jack is threatened or jealous or anything so immature, but because he knows Kawalsky would have the exact same chance at a relationship with Sam as he himself does. Which is to say, no chance.

“Do what you want, I don't care. Let's go,” he says, grabbing his gear and leaving the locker room.

He doesn't see the look Daniel and Kawalsky share as he goes.

[geneeste]

I promised to post some bits of the sequel to a goddamn blaze in the dark, tentatively titled glitter in their eyes, smoke in their lungs, if there was interest, and there was! Thanks @elena1701a!

Keep in mind that this is very much a WIP and that anything in it can change (including the title!), but I hope you enjoy!

This scene is from early in the fic, in which we're introduced to a certain important character from Sam's past. (find the second one here)

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“Colonel,” Sam says as she falls in line with SG-1 as they walk down the corridor from the armory to the gate room.

“Doctor Carter,” Jack replies, in that tone she's come to recognize as that unique blend of part-respect, part-irreverence.

She lengthens her stride to catch up with him. “I wanted to let you know that we just detected long amplitude waves on PJ2-445,” and then, at his sidelong look, explains, “sound waves we can’t hear. Apparently they’re pretty irritating and can have some unpleasant side effects for humans, so I’ve recommended to General Hammond that you limit your time on the planet to no more than a couple of hours at a time.”

“What kind of side effects are we talking?” Kawalsky asks.

“Headaches, nausea, extreme irritability,” Sam rattles off, remembering her notes.

“No, thank you,” Jack says. “Nice catch.”

She shakes her head, smiling a little. “I can’t take credit. One of our botanists caught it while he was working with Dr. Rothman to study the relationship between local fauna and the inhabitants of the planet.”

She's still giving her mini-brief when SG-2 appears at the end of the corridor, and SG-1 instinctively moves to the right to let them pass, so she's not paying much attention when first Feretti passes her and Jack and then Casey and Warren.

“It might be a symbiotic relationship, so make sure you don’t damage any plants you come across while–” Maybe it’s because she's still so focused on getting SG-1 up to speed that the man who passes her next is so unexpected and startling.

She's grabbed Jack's arm instinctively, needing some kind of connection as she slows and tries to process who she's just seen, and she can feel him tense under her hand in reaction.

The team's stopped with her, and she's just turning to check whether the man is actually there when arms sweep her up and off her feet and twirl her around.

And it's him — only Cameron Mitchell has the ability to both surprise her and put her at ease all at the same time. It's a split second before she reacts, and then she's hugging him back and returning his laughter, albeit much more reservedly.

“I'll be damned,” Cam says as he sets her back on her feet and holds her at arm's length so he can give her a once over. “Sam. Why the hell didn't I know you were here?”

“Hi Cam,” she replies warmly, not answering his question. She's glad to see him, but she feels exposed in front of at least two SG teams who are their audience in the corridor. She steps back and closes her lab coat, feeling even more deeply Cam's knowing and somewhat exasperated gaze.

The air shifts, and suddenly Jack's at her side. She can't quite figure out the look on his face, but his appearance feels almost like that day at his house when he'd stepped between her and Kawalsky because she was uncomfortable. Almost like backup.

“Captain,” he says, a note of question and command in his voice.

Cam straightens up slightly, looking between her and Jack. “Sir. Apologies for stealing your scientist. Sam and I are,” he must catch her look of warning because he course corrects smoothly, “old friends, sir. It's a surprise to see her, that's all.”

There's a beat of silence during which she can tell Jack is measuring whether or not he wants to pursue this, and the moment when he comes down on the side against it. “Yes, well. If you're finished?”

Cam is watching her very closely now, and she knows there's a lot he's seeing here that she's going to wish he didn't.

“Yes, sir,” he says, moving back and away with his team.

“I'll catch up with you later,” she says belatedly. Her face feels weirdly hot and cold, and she takes a moment before she turns to face Jack.

SG-1 is surely late for their mission now, but Jack doesn't move, and so neither does the rest of his team. “Are you okay?”

Damn the man's quiet concern, and damn Cam's sweet but disruptive enthusiasm. This is exactly the kind of question-generating attention she's been trying to avoid.

So she puts on a bright smile. “Of course. It was just a surprise.”

Which Cam already said. Cursing her own awkwardness, she puts her hands in the pockets of her lab coat and walks backwards a few feet to put distance between her and the four men standing there staring at her. “I'm sorry to have delayed you. Do you have any other questions about PJ2-445?”

“No,” Jack says, and it's obvious he's not buying the confidence she's trying to sell.

She knows better than to ask Doctor Jackson that question, although in any other circumstance she would have. He always has questions, and she has no desire to prolong this scene.

“I'll let you get to it, then,” she says, then turns away and heads back towards the elevator and her lab.

[geneeste]

🎶 when you get this, put 5 songs you actually listen to, then publish. Send this ask to 10 of your followers (positivity is cool) 🎶

This is a fantastic ask, and because I love music so much I'm giving you way more than you asked for. XD (I used to do music dumps on LJ, boy I miss that.)

Here's my top five most played, according to iTunes:

Fortress by Bear's Den And a coward might call it a conscience / and a liar might call it the truth / nothing could ever make me more frightened / than the thought of hurting you / how could I hurt you?

This one because I listened to it nonstop while I was writing Reclaim (I really should have called it The Fortress Remix).

Which Witch by Florence + The Machine I'm not beaten by this yet / you can't tell me to regret / been in the dark since the day we met / fire, help me to forget

This is is just so good, reminds me of Sam/Jack, and is (along with two other songs on this list) seminal songs on my playlist for the sequel to A Goddamn Blaze in the Dark. (A lot of these are going to be about that series, because I'm trying desperately to finish writing it.)

Wild Roses by Of Monsters and Men A serpent on a bed of leaves / in the month of May / what do you want me to say? / you keep me still when all I feel / is an aimless direction / when I think I'm losin' connection / I see you

One of the seminal songs for the sequel to AGDBITD. Also just very good.

No Light, No Light by Florence + The Machine No light, no light / in your bright blue eyes / I never knew daylight could be so violent / a revelation in the light of day / you can't choose what stays and what fades away / and I'd do anything to make you stay

This one I was surprised by because I don't think I ever put it on specifically, so if it's played a lot it's just by chance. Having said that, it is on my playlist for the sequel to AGDBITD, my Sam/Jack playlist, and my Faves playlist.

If U Love Me Now by MUNA There's me in the corner / throwing a fit, making a mess of it / don't you love me now? / there's me under the table / hiding from my lovers and my allies / don't you love me now? / it's just a hypothesis or test / that I should not exist / don't you love me now? / there's me in the doorway telling you, please / you should just let me leave / if you love me now

Oof, this one is just pure Sam from AGDBITD. But like, later. You'll see.

These are the last five songs I added to my Sam/Jack playlist (which often doubles as my AGDBITD playlist when I don't want to include the 90s songs, LOL):

Face Down In The Moment by Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats You keep waiting on the night / you keep waiting on your pain / and every moment that you wait now / is a moment slipped away / I think you're gonna have to come out and face / all the fear you can't explain / and all your life, you've been face down / now it's time for you to see

Okay, so there are actually, in total, 3 sequels to AGDBITD and I'm working on them all simultaneously (because of course I am). This song reminds me deeply of the third sequel, for reasons I can't tell you. XD

God Needs The Devil by Jonah Kagen Mm, mm, I'm in love / in a nightmare, please don't wake me up / got a bad case of making bad love / it's who I am, not who I was / but that's life, boy, what can you do? / I need someone, and I need 'em soon / I called the doc and got new shoes / but all roads still lead back to you

Another one that reminds me of the last AGDBITD sequel. For reasons.

(midnight) by Lewis Watson We ran to the border line / where the northern lights flew over us / another cold midnight / but I could lay right here forever / and in distant skies / beyond the trees and rolling hills / we watched the city die / but I could lay right here forever

Just a good, solid Sam/Jack song.

Destroy Destroy Destroy by Transviolet I didn't come here to beg you for what is mine / gun to my head, we've been here a thousand times / and you're scared to death 'cause I'm seeing red / with eyes known to set fires / and I didn't come here to beg you for what is mine

This one reminds of the second sequel to AGDBITD. Again, for reasons. I'm so mean. It's also just a banger.

Your Design by Grace Mitchell Keep calm, color in the lines / no grey, only black and white / big eyes little appetite / long run on a short line / I've been pushed into overtime / it all turned on me on a dime / kind heart with a filthy mind / somebody tell me this is real life

I'm sorry to keep doing this to you, but it's a great song for the second AGDBITD sequel. And of course it's just a excellent song.

Finally, the last five songs I added to my Faves playlist:

Here & Now (Alternative Version) by clay pigeon I could have been your victory, I'll probably be your loss Could have been everything you wished I was not Or every grave detail running through your head Could have been that picture you keep above your bed But I'm here and now

I love a melancholy breakup song.

Heal by Sleeping At Last As I grow older, I hold tighter to a world hell-bent on change / I'd be lyin' if I told you that I wasn't afraid / in the currency of memory, nothing costs more than pain / but you remind me fourteen thousand days or so I'm still okay / you remind me that my body was born to heal / you remind me that my body was born to heal over time / you remind me that my body was born to heal before it dies / you remind me

In the grand tradition of Ryan O'Neal ripping one's heart from one's chest, putting it back better, and making it as though nothing happened, there's this song.

You (feat. Hermanos Gutiérrez) by RY X I woke up falling / and press into your side / your body's an ocean / pull me into your tides

RX Y is a really interesting band in that their songs are often more about the actual instrumentals than the lyrics. This is one of those.

Gone With Your Ghost by Black Match Did I make you happy / or was it pretend? / you know that you had me / but you jumped the fence / did I make you happy / or was it pretend? / 'cause all that we had just / slipped through my hands / gone with your ghost

Another fantastic breakup song. Also a good one for the third sequel to AGDBITD. Oops! Forget I said that.

Cover To Cover by Nathan Ball Take your time / turn back to the lie where I'm hoping to find you / if only to feel bad / there's no need to feel bad / see your eyes, two stars in the night / and my mind's taking over / time is a healer / this time it's hurting

Yet another fabulous breakup song. A companion to Gone With Your Ghost, if you will. Ahem.