Departmental Transfer "
By: Samantha Carter, Security Officer, [RNPC]
Charles Atwood, Chief Intelligence Officer, [PST]

Stardate: 58204.18 1800

Charles had just finished the conversation with major Madriani when he decided to tell Sam the bad news. He tapped his combadge.

"Atwood to Carter"

"Carter here" "What can i do for you Sir", Sam asked.

Lt I need to see you in my office... How about 10 Minutes?

"I'm just on my way to Miranda's can we meet there?" Sam replied.

"Ok, I'm on my way meet me there in 10 minutes."

Ten minutes later Charles appeared at Miranda's and took a quiet table hoping he didn't bump into Melissa... He was thinking in the best way to tell Sam the bad news when she appeared and as he waved to her he said with a smile, "Hello Sam... over here!"

Sam's face broke out in a big smile as she saw her boyfriend waving to her. "Hi honey', she whispered as she sat down. "What's up?”

Charles gave her a kiss and then pointed for her to sit next to him, giving bad news wasn't his thing but he loved her and this had to be done... "Honey I've been talking with Captain Hunter and he has ordered me that you have to transfer yourself from Intelligence Department to another department", Charles made a pause waiting for Sam's answer.

"What do you mean", Sam said with an outburst. "You mean to say that I'm no longer an Intelligence officer anymore!”

"I'm afraid you are not... You are to report with Major Madriani for an interview for his department... …………Calm down honey", said Charles.

"No I won't calm down", Sam continued. "Now that we are a couple it does not mean that you could make a decision on my behalf. I would have appreciated it if you had asked me about it!!!"

"Well, you are right... but keep it down people are watching us!", said Charles.

"I don't care if people are watching", Sam said with a angry voice as she was getting up. "You did not have the right Charles!. Sam had to pull al her strength together not to slap Charles across the face.

"Listen Lieutenant... This is exactly why couples cannot be in the same line of command, I am sorry that this has to happen but as Chief of the Department I am forced to do this", said Charles a little worried but stern.

"Yes Sir", Sam sat back down again. She lowered her voice, "Look Charles, I am flattered by your offer but I am not cut out for a marine. I studied all my life to become a security officer. That is where I would like to continue my career", she said.

"I am aware of that Sam, I just thought you wouldn't want to work under LtJG Jarvis... so I talked to Maj Mandriani but you where able to choose at all times... After all It's still your career on the line", said Charles.

"I'm going to see Captain Hunter myself and ask him if he allows me to transfer back to security. And as for Melissa.... Sam paused. "We are adults and Maqui officers we simply have to put our differences aside and work together".

"Listen Sam I'll talk to him personally, but if you want Security...Security it is", said Charles and reached for her hand.

Sam started to relax as Charles reached for her hand. "O.K. so you will talk to Captain Hunter then?" Sam wanted to know that for sure. Then she noticed the extra pip on his collar. "My god you have been promoted," she said with a surprised look on her face. "When did that happen?"

"About 15 minutes ago in the Captain's readyroom after the debriefing", Charles responded.

"You silly, you did not even tell me about it". Sam was so happy for Charles that she almost forgot that she was still a little angry at him.

"Well Honey you are more important to me than this", said Charles as he kissed her hand.

Sam blushed he was so romantic sometimes. "Let's celebrate then", she said.

"Very Well..." He pointed to the waiter and ordered champagne for both of them... "There's one more thing I need to ask you", he said reaching for the little black box inside his pocket.

The waiter brought 2 glasses of champagne and Sam took a sip of her bubbly. She sneezed as the bubbles reached her noise. "No more bad news I hope" she said.

"No Honey, on the contrary it's just that I think we should ask permission to the Capt. to move in together... What do you think, and we are practically living together anyway", said Charles waiting for an answer.

"Hm”, Sam nodded, that is a good idea now we only get in the way of each other. We do have to move to bigger quarters then. Maybe ensign Riaan can help us with it.

"And there's another thing... …..Samantha Carter would you make me the happiest man in the whole universe by marrying me?", he said at the same time that he stood up and put one knee into the ground and opened a little black box he had hidden behind his back, revealing a diamond ring.

Sam nearly choked on her champagne. "Will you get up, she hissed at Charles, you are making a spectacle of your self. Charles you know I love you, but you are moving too fast. We hardly know each other and then asking me to marry you, that is not the way it works."

"Call me old fashioned but what happened to the courtship thing, getting engaged first. Tell me about that Charles."

Sam got the jitters, he was moving too fast. She did not like to be pressed, that would only turn her off, what if it did not work out. What if he would find some one else. Would he discard her just as easily as he had done with Melissa. She could not marry him, not now, not before they knew more of eachother.

Charles sensed her feelings and said "I know you are a little worried of me getting engaged to another girl as I did to Melissa but it won't happen... It would be as you want it to be. We'll wed whenever you are ready", said Charles as he put the ring on her finger.

Sam looked at the sparkling ring. Not knowing what to say. she took another sip of her champagne. She still was in doubt, but quickly dismissed the thought not wanting Charles to know. Sam kissed Charles on the cheek and whispered in his ear. "I got to go my shift starts in 10 minutes, I will thank you more thoroughly tonight. A sly mile curled around her lips. “Don't forget got sent your request and my transfer form to the Captain, Sam said as she stood up.

"I wont and have a nice shift", Charles responded as he prepared to speak to the CO about it.