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Nation's Reward
by Adelie King

Chapter One: The Question

Dr. Elizabeth Weir told Colonel Jack O'Neill that he could ask for any favor he wanted after saving the world many times and she could get it for him. Jack had his chance to tell her that he was in love with Major Samantha Carter and they wanted to be together but was too chicken to do it.

Weir knew he held something back when she got him promoted to Brigadier General and Sam promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. She saw their exchanges many times and had read the reports. Weir also knew Sam was dating Pete Shanahan now. Having questions she called Daniel Jackson to her office privately.

"You wanted to see me?" Daniel inquired stepping up to Weir. She had the cameras and microphones turned off and had him close the door.

Weir answered, "Yes Daniel…" She crossed her arms and asked, "How long have O'Neill and Carter had these feelings for each other?" He got nervous not knowing how to answer and then she added, "And why didn't he ask if they could be together when I told him the president was willing to do something special to reward him?"

"I think we both know the answer to that one Elizabeth." Daniel told her, "Jack is afraid Kinsey might use it against them and accuse Sam of sleeping her way up."

Weir commented, "You and I both know that's not true Daniel. The president wouldn't buy that anyway after Woosly informed us that Kinsey was plotting to get rid of him." She got firm, "Now I ask you again how long have these two been in love with each other?"

"Four years." Daniel finally answered, "They hid it well and they never acted on their feelings. They chose to stay objective for the good of the planet." He explained, "Jack didn't want Sam to give up her career for him which he was afraid she would." Daniel continued, "Sam finally decided to move on because it was hurting her."

"Yeah I know." Weir said seriously, "She started dating a cop that stalked her finding out classified information in the process." She paced behind her desk and predicted, "That won't last because in the end Jack will win over him." Weir sat down and proposed, "Jack O'Neill and Samantha Carter have sacrificed heavily for the planet. The president wants to give something to them."

Daniel sat forward and hopefully commented, "And you think he'd do that for them?"

Weir answered, "Yes I believe he would but they may have to marry to have it stick." She then sat forward and asked, "Do you think they would marry if the regs were waved for them?" He sat silent thinking and Weir asked, "Or is she getting too serious about this Pete guy at this point?"

"Maybe you should ask Sam and Jack about this?" He cautiously recommended first, "or maybe you should ask the president if he would first and then bring the up the offer." Daniel stepped carefully, "He wouldn't penalize them would he?"

Weir replied, "No nothing has happened between them. Why would he and I think yes he would but I need to know if Carter loves O'Neill enough for me to do this and vice versa."

"I can assure you Jack does." Daniel informed her, "Ever since Sam has started dating Pete he's been more on edge and out of sorts." He observed, "I can tell its killing him even though he thinks he's covering himself well."

"Have General O'Neill come see me and you go talk to Colonel Carter." Weir instructed, "Then based on our information I will talk to the president." She promised, "I assure you this will remain confidential and nothing will happen."

"Okay." Daniel rose from his seat, "I'll see Sam right away. She's had a few glasses. She might open up." He opened the door, "I'll send Jack to you…wait here." He left to find Sam.

In the gate room Jack was talking with different people with Sam standing right in front of him and Teal'c to the right of him. "So you'd better make me proud so I can put you permanently in charge of SG1 Carter."

"I will sir." Sam smiled with assurance, "You know that."

Jack touched her shoulder in pride and said confident in her, "I know you will. Just stay alive." His eyes showed his feelings right there.

Daniel cleared his throat, "Sorry to interrupt but Weir wants to see you Jack…right away." He informed him, "In your office."

"Okay." Jack set his glass down and left the gate room for a few minutes.

"And I need to talk to you Sam…in private." Daniel politely requested touching her arm. "This way."

"Okay Daniel." Sam followed him into one of the storage rooms to guarantee privacy without surveillance.

Jack walked in and asked, "You wanted to see me Elizabeth?"

"Yes Jack." Weir answered, "Close the door and have a seat." She sat down behind the desk.

He did as requested opening his uniform coat and as he sat in one of the chairs in front of his new desk. "What's this about?"

Weir told him, "I'll get to the point." She asked, "Do you want to be with Samantha Carter?" He froze caught off guard and tried to carefully think of a response. "Don't lie General I know you've been in love with her for years. I'm not going to say or do anything to either of you if that's what you're worried about."

Jack trusted her because she earned it so he finally answered, "She's with someone else now and the military would never allow us to be together."

"Which is why she's with someone else General." Weir observed, "She's trying to forget about you which is going to fail." She sat back in the chair, "Sam will realize it will always be you." Weir pointed out, "But you still didn't answer my question Jack. Do you want to be with her?" She firmly requested, "Be honest with me Jack."

"If she still wants me…yeah." He answered his feelings showing his heart racing. Jack swallowed unsure, "But I'm not sure that…she's got someone else now." He assumed, "She just got smart and decided to move on." Jack commented, "I don't blame her." He berated himself, "She's safer with him anyway."

Weir didn't agree, "As I recall you were the one who protected her, was there for her, and kept her alive…stood by her through everything for seven years." She complemented, "She's way safer with you and trusts you more than anyone Jack." Weir stated, "Just because you blame yourself for your son doesn't mean it'll happen to her." She praised him, "You've more than made up for it and the president agrees with me." Weir then informed him, "Hayes is willing to grant you any favor no matter what it is to reward you and Carter for what you've done for us."

Jack looked at her seeing where this was heading. She continued, "If you still love Samantha Carter and you want to be with her he would be willing to grant it if you want." Weir offered, "All you have to do is ask."

"If he refuses what will he do to her?" He asked clearly worried, "He could transfer her and me, court martial us." Jack told her, "I won't allow that."

"Why would he court-martial you General?" Weir asked him logically, "You two haven't done anything which in itself is unbelievable. You've proved your loyalty to your jobs above anything else." She told him flat out, "After everything you two have earned the right to be together." Weir stated then asked, "Now answer my question Jack. Do you love her and do you want to be with her if he waved the regs?"

Jack finally but hesitatingly answered, "Yeah…I do." He added looking heartbroken at his lap, "If she still loves me that is?"

"Well Daniel is going to find that out for you." Weir informed him, "If she states she still loves you then I'll talk to the president about it okay." She insisted nicely, "Now go relax General." He rose up uneasy and she assured him, "I'll let you know."

Meanwhile in one of the storage closets on base, "So what did you want to talk to me about Daniel?" Sam inquired after he shut and locked the door.

"Um…" Daniel rubbed his chin thinking how to word this, "Can I ask you something and will you be completely honest with me Sam?"

"Sure about what?" She wondered.

"Do you still love Jack?" He asked directly.

Sam's face gave him the answer before she even spoke, "How can you even ask me that?" She began pacing and leaned against the desk in there.

"I mean are you still in love with Jack?" Daniel clarified.

She looked up and asked, "What do you think?" Her eyes started to gloss over, "Of course I am."

"Then why are you dating Pete if you're still in love with Jack?" he asked her gently but logically. "I don't think that's very fair to either man is it." Daniel stated logically.

Sam reminded him, "You know the answer to that Daniel because I can't be with Jack. The rules don't allow it." She answered, "I can't just sit around hoping for something I can never have the rest of my life." Sam wanted to cry but wouldn't let herself.

Daniel then touched his hands together and calmly asked, "But what if you could? What if you could be with Jack?" He asked directly, "Would you be with him if you were allowed to?"

"If I had the chance..." She answered him, "Yes I would in a heartbeat. I would've been with him already." Sam asked him, "Why are you asking me something like this?" She looked at him waiting and asked, "Has Jack said something?"

"Yeah he's hurting." Daniel told her, "Teal'c told me."

"Then why doesn't he tell me Daniel?" Sam asked him angrily, "Why is he talking to Teal'c when he should say something to me?" She went off, "If he did I wouldn't have gone out with Pete in the first place. I did because I assumed he didn't love me anymore."

"He does." Daniel assured her, "Jack just has trouble saying it. You know how he is." He explained and got back on track, "So my question was if you were allowed to be together would you be together?"

"Yes." Sam stated, "I would marry Jack if he asked me. I'd spend the rest of my life with him."

He smiled and gently told her, "What if I told you that might just happen…might?" Daniel started to lift her hopes and her heart. "But I needed to know what you felt first before I let him know." He then stressed, "But you need to break up with Pete either way because what you are doing is not fair to him or Jack." Daniel asked, "Do you understand Sam."

Sam agreed, "Yes I do Daniel but I hope Jack isn't going to retire for me when there is so much at stake." She began her moral lecture again.

"No he may not have to do that." He explained, "He just wanted to know your feelings and was too shy to ask you. So I did for him." Daniel insisted, "Go back to the party and enjoy yourself Sam. I'll call you later." He left the closet and she had to stand there a minute to think.

Weir sat waiting in the chair when Daniel knocked on the door, "Come in Daniel." He came in and shut the door. She asked, "So what did you find out?"

"She loves him." Daniel answered directly, "madly still…" He took a seat and continued, "Sam said she'd be with Jack in a minute and would've been if it was permitted soon as they knew." He added, "Sam declared she would marry him if he asked her too."

Weir smiled and calmly told him, "Jack said the same thing once I got him to open up." She concluded, "I guess I should call the president and ask him shouldn't I."

"Do you think he'll…?" He asked hopefully.

"I think he'll grant it. He and this planet owe O'Neill and Carter a lot." Weir predicted, "He told me whatever favor Jack wanted he would find a way to give it to him." She told Daniel, "Allowing them to marry by waving the Fraternization Regulations would be better than any other reward he could imagine."

"Make sure and clarify they've done nothing and kept it secret and stayed professional." Daniel reminded her, "I don't want them to get in trouble."

"They won't I'll make sure of it." Weir gave him her word and rose from behind her desk, "I'll make the call right now." She told him, "Now go back to the party."

Daniel agreed, "Tell me soon as you know okay." He was anxious as he left the office. Weir dialed Hayes as soon as the door was closed.