Author's Note: A million thank yous to Kamikashi my wonderful marvelous beta. Sorry, I forgot this earlier and I added it. She stuck with me through the year and a bit it took me to write this one. Hopefully the next one won't take nearly this long, but it might...

The first part of this story is told in Who Am I Who Are You? You'll find it on my website kelleth metheus. com (Take out the spaces) or her on .

Also I must give cudos to Kamikashi for the creation of Haruka Shark. Without her help and insight this story wouldn't be half the story.

First Day and First Impressions

Jonathan James O'Neill (Take Two) tried not to let the gawking get to him but it did. He could feel the people's eyes following Sam and Jack as the four of them crossed to the auditorium to where the new Cadets checked in.

On some level he could not blame the gawkers, both Sam and Jack were handsome people on their own but together, they were a striking pair. Their good looks combined with a slight age gap tended to make people take a second look. Especially when she and Jack were both in full dress uniform. Every Cadet here was staring at their dreams and aspirations walking past them real and life size.

A smile crossed his face as he remembered his first send off. Catching Jack's eye, he knew the older O'Neill was doing the same thing. Jack's first day at the academy had been very different. All around him there were young women saying goodbye to their families as well as young men. In Jack's cadet class had been only two women - they had been experimental, and above all, complete maniacs - whereas in Jon's, females made up about thirty percent.

His eyes fell on a family with an older man, obviously military, shaking his son's hand. When the father stepped back the boy was encircled by his younger siblings, in another mother smothered her daughter in a bone crunching hug and both of them wept.

Standing aside, looking around, Jon was reminded that was exactly what he was, who he was once more. He had no family and no real place in the world except the one he carved out for himself. His smile vanished. This time there were no siblings to hug him and say goodbye, no father to shake his hand, telling him he was proud of his son's choices. Both of Jack's parents were dead and his siblings weren't allowed to know about Jon.

Looking away, Jon tried not to think about all that he had lost and tried to remember all that he had gained as Cassie, sensing his change in mood, grabbed his hand, squeezing it once before trying to let go; but for just another moment, he held on tight. He needed to be reminded that he wasn't alone. Once they stepped on that bus there would be no touching each other for the next five weeks.

He knew today was hard for Cassie too. Janet, her adopted mother, had died a few months ago, once again leaving Cassie without a family. Sam and Jack had tried hard to fill the void left by Janet's death but neither of them was Janet. He squeezed her hand back before dropping it to move slightly farther away.

Stopping, they waited for the crowd to thin a bit before approaching the tables. Then suddenly it was time to go. Sam pulled Cassie into her arms, hugging the girl tightly before letting go. Jon saw the tears both women shed before they quickly wiped them away. Sam touched Cassie's cheek. "Janet would be so proud of you. Work hard and you'll do well. I'm proud of you too." Then she hugged Cassie again before stepping back to allow Jack to say goodbye.

Jon moved closer to Sam. "I'm sorry we caused problems for you and Pete, but I know Cassie didn't want him here even if she didn't tell you." He'd overheard an argument between Sam and her puppy dog.

The man had whined, huffed and puffed before stomping off to lick his wounded pride at being rejected by Cassie once more, even though he had tried so hard to win her over.

Sam patted his cheeks. "It's not your fault. I'm glad you told me. This day is yours and Cassie's; Pete really didn't have a place here. He's trying too hard with Cassie. If she gives him a chance and he takes things easy she'll come to like him." Sam suddenly pulled him into her arms.

Returning her embrace, Jon wondered how for a very smart woman Sam could be so oblivious at time. Cassie would never like Pete for one reason, he wasn't Jack.

Stepping back she told him, "Remember who you are Jon and it will be all right."

Jon nodded, feeling choked up. It was very close to the words Jack's mother had said to him all those years ago. "I will Sam. I will."

He turned away to follow Cassie, who had started toward the check in only to be stopped by Jack's hand on his shoulder. "Jon?"

The younger man turned to see Jack holding out his hand. Jon put his hand in Jack's and was pulled into a hug. "I'm proud of the man you're becoming; don't let me down."

Both of them were almost overcome as Jack repeated the very words his father said to him more than thirty years ago when he entered the Academy. Moving back, Jon answered with the same phrase Jack had used. "I won't let you down, sir."

There was a clip of heels across the auditorium floor. "Okay, that's enough PDA everybody. Get your lovely backsides over here, sign in, and put your baggage here on the floor. Your Training Instructors will handle it," a sharp voice in a no-nonsense timbre ordered.

A tall woman in Class A's and the insignia of a Colonel looked around at those still inside and motioned to the door behind her. Her eyes met Jack's and she quirked an eyebrow much like he did before giving him a quick wink.

His head inclined slightly. A smile broke out on her face, softening it for a moment, before the stern expression returned. Barking more orders, she pivoted on one foot and headed back out the door again. Her general behavior was more than enough proof that you didn't cross her easily and got away with it.

Sam couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy as she wondered who the Colonel was. Could she be an old flame of Jack's? A sudden groan from him drew her attention.

"Oh no... don't tell me they let that big cat on the loose on the cadets..." Jack groaned.

"I don't know Jack, I remember her to be a fair person unless you piss her off." Jon answered still watching the woman leave with a slight smile on his face.

"Who is that sir?" Sam was a bit bewildered as she watched the exchange between Jack and the woman and his reaction to her.

Jack sighed. "An old classmate of mine. Her name, well, don't dare to make jokes about it. It will be the last in a long time."

"So what's her name Uncle Jack?" Cassie asked wide-eyed.

Suddenly the older O'Neill smirked. "I am so not going to ruin her introduction for you. Just a hint, it's a big predatory fish."

Groaning, Jon grabbed Cassie's arm, pulling her along. "That is enough Jack. Come on Cassie, it's time to go before Jack gets us into trouble. See you in five weeks."

Cassie waved, following Jon. The two of them got into line, checked in and joined the rest of the fourth years filing out of the building.

Jack and Sam hung back knowing that all they could do now was watch as their two Cadets walked out on to the parade ground.

Jack watched Jon go with a little more emotional turmoil than he would ever admit to anyone. Seeing Jon move on with his life reminded him that Charlie never would. When Charlie died it ended the possibility of the continuation of the O'Neill legacy. None of his brothers or sisters had chosen to follow the family tradition of the Air Force. Although two brothers and a sister had followed his mother's family tradition and were cops in Chicago.

Now that Jon had chosen to return to the Academy there was hope for the O'Neill line yet. Jack hadn't lied to Jon, he was proud of him. He had handled himself and his change in not only life but status much better than Jack had.

About a year ago when Jack had met Jon, it seemed like the biggest cosmic joke. Charlie's sixteenth birthday had passed the week before and now Jack's clone would have a chance to live the life Charlie never did.

So in the end he had done what he did best, evaluate the situation and chose to tactically retreat and hope it would go away. He used the same method to deal with his feelings for Sam and both times had been spectacular failures.

Jon was now part of his life and Jack still cared for Sam much more than he was supposed to. He had come to accept that those feelings would never change, even if she had moved on and found someone else.

Sam stood close to Jack but not too close as they watched their "children" leave the nest. She had always wanted children. Lately when she had held her friend's babies there was a maternal tug. She ached to hold her own baby in her arms. Her baby and Jack's-

Shaking her head, Sam tried to shut down those thoughts as her biological clock ticked away. Moving slightly her fingers brushed Jack's. It was an accidental touch but it sent shivers through her.

An increasingly vocal part of her demanded that she stop pretending and do what she should have done years ago, but now there was Pete, wasn't he?

She looked over at Jack, his face was blank, making it hard to read his expression. Then suddenly his fingers closed lightly over hers squeezing gently. His gaze turned to her for a moment and she saw his emotions clearly and unguarded. Her mind thought back to that night at the cabin when they found Cassie and Jon together, as well as the on the Tel'tak vessel racing to Proclaush.

They stared at each other across a bank of crystals. Jack's strength failing as the Ancient Knowledge destroyed his mind. They both knew this might be the end but neither wanted to say goodbye.

Unsure if she should try again but knowing she had to Sam spoke, "Sir, at your house before Daniel and Teal'c showed up, what I was gonna say was ..."
Jack reached up to touch her cheek. "I know." At his touch she could feel his thoughts.

At first they were just a jumbled and confused. Then one rose to the surface. There was a door, Jack opened it, motioning for her to enter. Stepping inside, she could feel his love. This was their room. She closed her eyes, enjoying the exchange of emotions.

Suddenly Jack dropped his hand breaking the connection. They looked at each other for a moment, and then Jack slid the crystals back into position breaking the spell.

Someone bumped into Sam from behind jolting her from the thoughts. She heard Jack snap, "Hey watch it."

The woman muttered an apology, continuing on her way, wiping her eyes. Jack took Sam's arm. "Come, let's go. We have a meeting to attend."

She looked at the door where Cassie and Jon disappeared. "I'm going to miss them."

Starting to walk away, Jack smiled. "Me too."

Grinning, Sam fell into step beside him as they left the auditorium.

There you have it. Next chapter next week. Leave a review if you like or go to my website and read the next two chapters...