Fic: Something Old (Jack/Sara)

[moonshayde]

This is a short, rare pairing fic written for...me! No real reason aside the fact I rather like Jack/Sara. Poor Sara gets butchered a lot in fic, both in ship fic and slash fic. Very sad :(

I'm fond of tragic pairings, I think. And in fandom, you can play with just about anything. So, even though I'm probably one of two people that like them, that's okay. This is for me anyway :)

Title: Something Old
Author: Moonshayde
Season: Nine
Category: Ship, Drama
Spoilers: Only Jack's whereabouts as of Season 9
Pairing/Character: Jack/Sara
Summary: Something old can easily become something new.
Warnings: none
Rating: PG

A/N: Any errors mine. Just another excuse for me to avoid my long gen fics. Let's see how long it takes for this one to get flamed ;)

Disclaimer: Stargate, Stargate SG-1 and all of its characters, titles, names, and back-story are the property of MGM/UA, Double Secret Productions, Gekko Productions, SciFi Channel, and Showtime/Viacom. All other characters, the story idea and the story itself are the sole property of the author. This story cannot be printed anywhere without the sole permission of the author. Realize this is for entertainment purposes only; no financial gain or profit has been gained from this fiction. This story is not meant to be an infringement on the rights of the above-mentioned establishments


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Another year, another problem.

Only these days, they were different kinds of problems.

Jack sighed and leaned back into the cushions of his booth. All around him people buzzed and chattered about this and that, lost in the loud hum that typified the bar scene. He couldn't hear a damn thing on the TV, but that's not why Jack had come here tonight anyway.

He glanced down at his watch before he scanned the room for his buddy Chuck. He caught sight of a few young couples flirting, some college age boys roaring at the game on the tube, and some singles just hanging around the bar itself. So far, no Chuck. But Chuck was notorious for being late; it wouldn't be the first time.

Jack remembered the times when he, Chuck, and their buddies would hit the town and get themselves into whatever kind of trouble they could. Those were the days before he'd gotten married. Those days seemed so long ago.

He cleared his throat as he picked at the label on his beer bottle.

Time had a way of changing things.

His thoughts turned to SG-1. Normally, around this time of year, he'd invite them over to watch the big game. They'd always come up with some lame excuse to get out of it, but they'd end up at his house anyway.

He wondered how his house was doing.

He wondered where the hell Carter, Daniel, and Teal'c were now.

Jack tapped at the edge of the table and searched the room again. Still no sign of Chuck. Bastard. Well, there was no way he was going to sit here and wait all night.

After downing the rest of his beer, Jack started for the bar. He saw a couple of ladies sitting there, one a brunette, the other a blonde. Jack ignored the flare of pain he felt in his knees and slid into the seat next to the blonde.

"Hey, Mike," he said. He held up his bottle. "I'll take another. And how about one for the pretty lady here?"

While the bartender went to grab them a couple of cold ones, Jack cleared his throat and put on his best smile. But when she turned to face him, the smile was wiped clean off his face.

"Damn."

Sara eyed him for a moment before she turned her attention back to the bowl of nuts in front of her. "Nice to see you too, Jack."

"What the hell are you doing here?" he asked.

Sara shrugged. "I could ask the same of you."

"Yeah." Jack nodded as he accepted the bottles. He held up the one for Sara and waggled it invitingly.

She bowed her head, attempting to hide a smile, as she grabbed the beer. She stared at the bottle for a moment before she finally looked at him. "So, tell me that you're still not trying to pick up women this way?" she asked.

"It worked once, didn't it?"

"You only thought it did."

"Or maybe I'm just that good," Jack said, flashing a grin.

Sara rolled her eyes, but he saw the sparkle in them, a gleam that caused the unwelcome memories to bubble to the surface again. He felt his grin start to fade, the dull ache return. He stared at his bottle and tried to push them away.

"So, what brings you out east?"

Sara shrugged again. "My dad passed away last year and I wanted a change. So, I made a change."

Jack nodded, still focused on his bottle. "I heard about that. I would have –"

"You were busy," she said quietly. "I know."

"Yeah."

The two fell silent. Jack never thought a bar could become so quiet, but in that moment, it seemed like everyone had stopped talking. He shifted in his seat, just waiting for the din to block out any of the discomfort he was feeling. Talk about awkward.

At least Sara seemed just as uncomfortable. She kept glancing over her shoulder, as if she were looking for some kind of escape. But Jack had to give her credit. She was a strong woman. She'd always been a strong woman. She'd always stood her ground, no matter what.

No matter who'd hurt her.

"So," she said, forcing a smile, "I heard you were promoted. Congratulations. I hope you enjoy it."

Jack sighed. "I got some stuffy desk job. I spend my day pushing paper for bureaucratic assholes."

She shook her head. "You never were one to take to the humdrum of an office job."

"Desk job," he enunciated. Then, he took his hand and started making a straight, thrusting motion as he continued. "I swear, these pencil necks have are so tight, you'd think they had –"

She placed her hand on his and brought it down. "As much as you love the field, Jack, you're not as young as you used to be."

"Hey. I still have what it takes." He sat a little taller. "I'm like wine. I get better as I age."

She laughed. "I wish I could say the same."

"Oh, come on, Sara," he said, raising the bottle to his lips. "You look the same as when I first met you."

"I think the beer's clouded your head."

"Maybe," he said with a shrug. "But…" He turned away from her, averting his gaze to the game on the TV. "It doesn't change the way I see things."

She looked away and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. He was positive he saw her blush. Satisfied, Jack leaned back on his stool and took another swig of beer.

"Oh, you can wipe that smug look off your face," she said with a smirk.

"I have every reason to be smug," he said.

And he did. He found the fine lines by her mouth didn't bother him. Neither did the crow's feet by her eyes. Even now, after all these years, she was the most beautiful woman he had ever known.

He had to fight the urge to reach out and touch her hair, just once. Setting his jaw, he glanced back down to his bottle and fought the sharp pain that suckered him in the gut.

"Jack," she said, her voice becoming soft and sorrowful, which had the immediate effect of tensing him. "Do you ever have regrets?"

"All the time."

She reached out to touch his hand again, but after pausing for a second, she withdrew and ran her fingers through her hair instead. "Sometimes I wish we could change things," she admitted. "Fix those mistakes."

"Me too." He swallowed hard. "But I can't ever be that man again, Sara."

He thought of all those promises he'd made. He thought of all the promises he'd broken. There were just some things he could never forgive about himself.

Jack glanced at her, seeing the tumult of mixed emotions brewing in her eyes.

"I know," she whispered. "But I'm not asking for that man."

Jack arched his eyebrows.

She smiled, a nervous but confident smile, and extended her hand. "Hi, I'm Sara."

A slow grin spread across Jack's face. "The name's Jack." He squeezed her hand and slid a little closer. "So, what brings a pretty lady like yourself here tonight?"

THE END

Comments

[destina.livejournal.com]

Aww. There's a part of me that believes Jack never really got over Sara, that what happened only happened because at that point in his life, he couldn't share his grief. It has always made me sad. So I really loved this; the way it was left the last time we saw the two of them was...not good enough, and this fixes it, some. :)

[moonshayde.livejournal.com]

I think he'll always really love her, even despite all the flings or feelings he might have for other people. (I feel the same way about Daniel and Share, too.) He just could not get over his grief at the time, like you said. It's all very sad. He still had pictures of her in his house in Season 7 (though they were family pics with Charlie).

Fanfic is fun because you "fix" things. But I think I will always have a special place in my heart for Jack/Sara because their relationship and its problems were very real.

[http://users.livejournal.com/traycer_/]

No flames from me. I'm actually one of those people who like this pairing! :)

This was such a great story. Jack and Sara could have been good together, and I've always wondered what a chance encounter would be like for them. And the ending was perfect! The introductions were symbolizing a new beginning for them. Absolutely brilliant!!

[moonshayde.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I'll always like them. They were just so sad that I can't help it.

[http://users.livejournal.com/traycer_/]

I have to agree with you on this. Jack married Sara and lived with her for years. He loved her dearly, and his reactions whenever she was mentioned proves that he still loves her. But there are other factors involved that would never allow them to get back together and remarry. Hurt and mistrust are hard emotions to deal with.

I just finished a story that deals with this issue. Basically, I asked myself a question. Who would Jack pick if he had to choose between his ex-wife and his current fling? It's an interesting thought.

[dknightshade.livejournal.com]

Oh yay! You wrote Jack/Sara. It's very sweet how you have them introducing themselves at the end. Nice. And I like the wording for Jack's - in character (it's the little things, you know). I love tragic couples too and they totally fit that bill. Thanks for the lovely read.

[moonshayde.livejournal.com]

*stares at the pretty icon*

Thanks for reading. I didn't think Jack/Sara was even a blip on anyone's radar anymore. I have a very special fondness for them.

[jarrn.livejournal.com]

Hee~ Very nicely written. I like it, even if I do prefer Jack/Daniel :D

*loves*

[moonshayde.livejournal.com]

Thanks! That's what is fun about fandom. You can dabble in just about any pairing you want. :)

[abyssinia4077.livejournal.com]

:) Only the other week I was discussing with dknightshade that there needed to be Jack/Sara fic because there was/is obviously so much there and "Cold Lazarus" really leaves us hanging (when I first watched it I fully expected to see more of her). And you wrote it!

They're so sad and so obviously still care about each other. *snuggles fic*

[gategrrl.livejournal.com]

I am *always* up for good Jack/Sara stories.

I think the producers made a huge mistake making them seperate.

[niamaea.livejournal.com]

Aww, Sara! I really liked this -- especially how there's a level on which they seem to still be very much in tune, despite so many years apart.

There isn't enough Sara fic. Thank you for writing this. :)

[azarsuerte.livejournal.com]

Oh man. *grins foolishly* Add me to the list of Jack/Sara 'shippers that is ever so much longer than two! And I know two others I'll have to point in the direction of this story. That was fantastic! If they ever did get back together--and oh I wish they would have!--I bet it would happen something a lot like this. :-)

(I still firmly believe that any attraction Jack may feel for Sam is because she reminds him of Sara. They even had the same haircut in season 1! ;-) )

[maevebran.livejournal.com]

Oh. I love this. I have a soft spot for Jack/Sara fic. There needs to be more of it in the world.=)

[ellegirl-83.livejournal.com]

Wow it's been so long since I've even thought about Jack and Sara let alone read a fic about them but that was great, so bittersweet and touching. You really showed the ripples of unresolved issues stirring the surface but handled it in a light way that didn't cross over into frivolity. Brilliantly written!

[moonshayde.livejournal.com]

I would have even been satisified if we could have kept getting subtle hints about her. I still think it was dumb for them to separate them the way they did, but I would have been happy with more moments like they did in Season 1 -- the letter he wrote. The reminder from Daniel in the finale. In Season 7, he had her picture all over his house (with Charlie) but just more hints throughout the series would have been nice. It was a very nice contrast with how subtle the Jack/Sara thing was going in comparison to Daniel/Sha're.

Oh well. I'll just pretend now that Jack isn't on the show.

[moonshayde.livejournal.com]

What a coincidence LOL I've been thinking about this is one for a while now, but I hadn't bothered to sit down and write it. And wait, I thought you weren't this far into the series yet? What are you doing reading S9 fic?

But yes. I do very much adore Jack/Sara. There will always be something there. Always.

[moonshayde.livejournal.com]

There should. I wish more people would write it.

[moonshayde.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I appreciate that. I do believe they have always loved each other, but the pain just was too much to keep them together. They are such a very sad couple. But a very real couple. Tragedy always gets me. But I'm big on hope too ;)

[moonshayde.livejournal.com]

(I still firmly believe that any attraction Jack may feel for Sam is because she reminds him of Sara. They even had the same haircut in season 1! ;-) )

I've always felt this way too. I think it's because of Solitudes. I'm not knocking Sam in any way, but I think that the attraction Jack has felt is routed a lot in Sara. They look similar and they are both obviously strong women. I don't think Jack ever fully got over her. And I don't see any reason why he should. There were so many hints of it in S1 and in S7 he still had her picture in his house. It was just the mistakes and the pain that tore them apart.

but hey, you can do anything in fanfic right? Glad to know I'm not alone!

[abyssinia4077.livejournal.com]

And wait, I thought you weren't this far into the series yet? What are you doing reading S9 fic?
I am, um, not...but you said it was only spoilery for where Jack was in S9 and I'm way spoiled for that.

I know! They had so freaking much chemistry in "Cold Lazarus" I really expected more and felt cheated when there was no follow up (he tells her "I want to hear all about it later" and I firmly believe he saw her again). Honestly, I think they still care a lot about each other, but they have that pain driving them apart - but also I think losing the marriage is one of the ways Jack punishes himself for Charlie, one way he refuses to allow himself happiness. "I let my kid die, I don't deserve a happy marriage, I don't deserve Sara" sort of thing.

[moonshayde.livejournal.com]

Honestly, I think they still care a lot about each other, but they have that pain driving them apart - but also I think losing the marriage is one of the ways Jack punishes himself for Charlie, one way he refuses to allow himself happiness. "I let my kid die, I don't deserve a happy marriage, I don't deserve Sara" sort of thing.

I'm in the camp that believes he still loves her very much, but the pain is too much of a wedge between them. (But I wouldn't be against them ever getting back together or for fanfic where they do.) As Jack said in the pilot, sometimes he can forget but he can never forgive himself. I do believe that originally Jack had the mindset of punishing himself by turning his back on her, but he got over that a long time ago. That doesn't make the pain go away, but by the end of the movie he was all set to start again and in the pilot he tells Daniel he did try to make amends, but it was too late since Sara had already left. Jack could have pursued her and that might have made a difference, but I think he just felt he'd gotten what he deserves at that point. Though, throughout season 1, even at the end, Sara is still a presence. Daniel uses her to help convince Jack to go on that mission to Apophis. They still had chemistry in Cold Lazuras. Jack called out for her in Solitudes. Jack was writing her letter in Brief Candle. And even in S7, he has pictures of her and Charlie on his wall and one on his mightstand by his bed.

They are so tragic that I love them to pieces.

[abyssinia4077.livejournal.com]

I'm in the camp that believes he still loves her very much, but the pain is too much of a wedge between them.

No question. But I also came away from "Cold Lazarus" believing that if he did things right, she'd take him back but I don't think he could, at least for a long time, partly because of the memories, and partly because he's still punishing himself (which, is interesting, because in a way he's unintentionally also punishing her).

I really like that they don't forget Sara entirely - the photos and such (Sam asking about them in "Lost city"). Yay for some continuity.

Actually, it would be really fascinating to see Jack and Daniel talking about Sara and Sha're - you'd have to do it carefully because it would be talking about feelings, but I could see, in the right circumstances (possibly right after FIAD?) telling Jack, "Look, I can't ever get Sha're back, Sara's still alive..."

They are so tragic! I always wonder about her and how she's doing - it's blatantly clear that Jack is attracted to strong, smart, leggy blondes who are good with their hands - but I know she'd be strong enough to move on somehow (like Jack does) and I'm curious how she's doing.

[moonshayde.livejournal.com]

I see a lot of Jack's initial attraction to Sam rooted in Sara. They even look alike. It's not uncommon for people to become attracted to the same "types" of people. Though, I'm not convinced that Jack would pursue Sam at all anymore. I happen to feel that the two of them have pretty much decided career first and that's it. But I'll get stoned for saying that ;)

I always read that Sara was the one that moved on and that Jack didn't. Not as much as Sara, anyway. Realistically, they can never get back together. There's too much hurt there. But they'll never stop loving each other. I think that Cold Lazurus was supposed to give the Jack story some closure so he could be free to sleep around the univser at will. (No one on this show can stay attached to someone too long.) But I live in pretend world where they do have the ability to think about starting again. That is the beauty of fanfic ;)

I would both welcome (and fear) some kind of discussiong and comparison between Sara and Sha're between Jack and Daniel, but it's so tricky I'm not sure many people could do it. I certainly couldn't.

I've always been in love with the idea that the heroes of SG-1 are tragically flawed and it's one reason i don't want ship on the show, but I'm okay with it in fanfic. I find something bittwersweet of imagining SG-1, especially Jack and Daniel, being alone for the rest of their lives, having loved and lost. In the end, the team has each other to see them through and somehow that makes it okay.

[moonshayde.livejournal.com]

Thank you for reading! There really isn't a lot out there, especially now. I like that pairing.