Lost in thought, she leafs through her files until a soft knock on her open office door makes her look up. Grateful for the interruption, she notices who it is and smiles.

"Colonel, what can I do for you?" she asks the Air Force Colonel, who has become a good friend since they met here at the SGC.

His appearance here in her office worries the doctor, since he is voluntarily seen at her workplace rather rarely. A little nervous, he approaches her desk after he has made sure that he has closed the door behind him, then he sits down in the chair in front of her. Somehow, the young woman does not feel good about what's coming, but she patiently waits until Jack O'Neill speaks out. But even after some time he just sits there, his gaze fixed on a point.
Janet Frasier decides to speak to him, his behavior is strange to her and she starts to worry about him.

"Colonel?"

He looks at her with his dark, brown eyes. With a deep breath, he takes a moment to find the words.

"Sorry Doc, I do not know how to start. It is about something personal, very personal. I want to ask you for something! It is very important! I can rely on you for it to stay between us? I mean medical secrecy and so?"

"You know that! Whatever it is, sir, it remains among us. So how can I help you?"

Jack O'Neill looks at his hands resting on his lap and begins to speak softly. Very quietly. Janet has to show some effort in order to understand him. His voice, somehow changed, quiet, calm, and yet so disturbing. After telling her his concern, the doctor has tears in her eyes. She cannot believe what he just told her.

"Are you positive? I mean there is no alternative? "

"No!"
"And no chance that ... ..."

"Doc, it's as sure as the Amen in the church."

Jack interrupts the sobbing woman, but apologizes immediately for his frenzied behavior by means of a gesture.

"And I can rely on you? Not a word to anyone!"

Janet Frasier nods sadly. Jack O'Neill pulls an envelope out of his pocket and hands it to her. On the small white envelope, in his handwriting, in large black letters, reads "Samantha Carter". Janet takes the envelope hesitantly.

"Would not it be better if you talk to her Jack?"

He shook his head vehemently.

"I cannot, I cannot tell her all that I would like to tell her! I'm not good at such things and it would only hurt her more. I needed the whole night to get those few lines."

"Do not you think that hurts her more than anything you say? I mean, a letter ... it's so ... "

"Coward?"

"Sir, I did not want to say it," she says, shaking her head. "It will be destroyed."

"I do not want to hurt her, this is the last thing I want, but she will be, either way. I cannot look into her eyes and tell her that I am ... "

He jumps up, turns away from her and buries his face in his hands. She also gets up and walks slowly towards him. Lovingly, she grabs him, pulls him carefully into a friendly embrace.

"All right, Jack. It's all right." she consoles him.

Jack had thought he could at least go through this conversation without a strong show of emotion. What had he thought? Even the talk with Janet takes him completely out of the concept. No, he cannot talk to Sam. His decision is correct; he is certain of it. It is so much better for all involved. After a what seems like an eternity in Janet's arms, he finds his words again.

"Thanks Janet!"

"What are friends for?"

She asks the question softly, while feeling an infinitely thick lump in her throat. She was thinking about her daughter; how would she explain it to Cassandra? Jack, her "Colonel". He is always like a big brother to her, her Idol, a buddy, the two always have nonsense in their heads. With this thought, Janet allows a smile to escape. Jack O'Neill does not miss this either. He looks at her a bit astonished but with her next words, he understands.

"Colonel, would you do me a favor, in return? Would you come to dinner tonight? Cassie would be delighted."

God Cassandra, he did not even think about the girl! How could he forget her? It costs him a lot of effort to control his emotions.

"I forgot Cassie, how could I forget her?" he almost cries.
"Cassie," he whispered in horror.

"Jack, what do you mean?"

"I've made a list of all the important things I want to do, and I've just forgotten Cassandra."

"Sir, you have not forgotten Cassie, you're under enormous pressure, understandably, and your head is full of things. Besides, I have taken care of Cassie for you! So? This evening?"

"I'll be there! Only Cassie and ..."

"You and me!"

Jack hugs Janet and whispers: "Thank you Janet, you're a good friend, a great mother and the best doctor anyway! Thank you for everything."

Then he turns abruptly and leaves her office.
The doctor breaks out in tears, she leans against the cold wall to hold herself up. With such a thing she certainly had never expected this!