Title: Mutual Respect
Author: Jemma
Story Status: Complete
Series/Sequel Info: None
Season: Seven
Spoilers: Birthright
Categories: Sam POV, Mild UST, General, Friendship
Pairings: Mild Sam/Jack
Rating: K
Content Warnings: None
Summary: Conversation between Sam and Jack about what Mala said.
Archive Permissions: Please ask
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters relating to Stargate. They belong to MGM and any of their associates. I'm just playing around with them for a little while!
Authors Note: It's short. Real short.
Date: 19/08/2003

SGSGSGSGSGSG

"There you are!"

Daniel and I turn at the sound of the voice at the door of his office.
"Hey Jack, where ya been?"
"Ah, just with Teal'c, ya know, making sure he was ok," he replies whilst stepping into the room to come and sit with us.
"And?" I question.
"Yep, he's fine."

The Colonel readjusts himself on his seat, eyeing up a pile of precarious looking books in front of him.

"Well, Sam and I just thought we'd make ourselves scarce, they looked like they were really getting into it down in the gate room," Daniel announces slyly.

The Colonel and I both cast him a glare, knowing that he's digging for gossip.

"Yeah, well, they got quite close while they were back on the planet."

It goes quiet for a few moments.

"I'm just gonna go grab some coffee from the commissary," Daniel announces. "I'm all out here."

He stands up and leaves before the Colonel or myself can say a word.

After my conversation with Mala earlier, I can't help but be slightly uncomfortable in the Colonels presence. He obviously picks up on it. Damn that man is good...

"You ok Carter?"
I look across at him and smile.
"Yeah, I'm fine," I lie poorly. He gives me a glare and a raised eyebrow, asking without speaking, for the truth. "I was just thinking about Mala."

He nods and looks away.
"Yeah," he says slowly. "She was a brave woman."
"But the lives they led, Sir, how did they carry on like that?" He looks vaguely confused. "Mala and I were talking, and she told me things about herself. She fell in love with someone who she couldn't love, and he was killed, along with their child."
"Ah."

"Ya know, all she ever wanted was someone who she could have a special relationship with. Someone who she could have a mutual respect with. Why should that be denied to anyone?"

It's really more of a statement than a question, and he takes it as such.
"Respect with someone is important," he says quietly. "Even if such a special relationship can only be that...respect. Ya know Carter?"

I raise my gaze to meet his own.
Could have heard the conversation between Mala and I?
"Yeah," I say slowly, not fully able to get control over my thoughts. He carries on.
"I mean, there are certain women who I respect more than I ever thought possible, and because I respect them so much, I keep the relationship just to that, a respectful friendship. A special friendship."

I can hear the driven implication in his words.
I hear him almost begging me to comprehend his words.

"I understand Sir. I completely agree."

We both smile. Sharing a secret just between the two of us.

"Back guys!"
Daniel reappears in the room, complete with coffee in hand.
"Hey Danny! You fancy going for lunch?" the Colonel asks the slightly bouncing archaeologist.
"Sure Jack."
"Carter?"
I smile at them both.
"You bet."

SGSGSGSGSGSG

End