Title: Jacob's Perspective

Rating: PG

Category: Drama, Romance, Angst, Hurt/Comfort

Season: Season Seven

Related Episode(s): 716 Death Knell

Pairing(s): Sam/Jack

Summary: Jacob listens to a conversation between Jack and Sam

Author Notes: Just a little story that's been in the back of my mind on how would Jacob react to Sam and Jack getting together. Special thanks to Suz W. for the help and advice as always its appreciated and I wouldn't be doing this with out her support. I hope you enjoy and feedback is appreciated

SPOILERS: Death Knell Chimera, Heroes pt 1 & 2

Anubis's Super Soldiers were relentless. The Tok'ra's new base was under attack and SG1 had thrown everything but the kitchen sink at them, but still they persisted. It seemed once they managed to kill one, another took its place, and until Sam and Jacob had come to the rescue with the new weapon they created, it seemed that all would be lost. They had defeated Anubis Soldiers, but had come close to losing Colonel O'Neill. Escaping on Jacob's ship, they were on they're way to meet up with the surviving Tok'ra.

Jacob was sitting on the bridge with Teal'c, relieved that they had been successful in there battle. He looked at Daniel, who was sitting against the wall, starting to nod off. He looked as bad as everyone else, having suffered some minor injuries. Jack had gone to the back of the ship to rest after his injury.

Jacob remembered how surprised he had been when Jack had run up to him to take his weapon and went after the soldier that had positioned itself to kill his daughter. He had to go and thank him for saving Sam's life, but also to ream him for being so careless and almost getting himself killed.

He was worried about his daughter, wondering where she was at the moment. She was badly shaken by this encounter, having just escaped the soldiers a month ago at the Alpha site. He saw the look in her eyes after they had gotten everyone on the ship. She seemed lost and alone. She had disappeared as soon as they had gone into hyperspace.

The Soldier's attack against the Tok'ra had been relentless, making Jacob wonder if there was a spy within the Tok'ra ranks. Walking down the corridors looking for Sam, he heard voices coming from one of the cargo bays.

"I thought I'd lost you. Why did you do it? I would have had time to shoot the soldier. You can't be protecting me like that Jack. It could cost you your life next time," Sam was saying.

"What did you want me to do? Stand back and watch you get shot? You were in danger and I thought I would be able to get a clear shot without getting hurt. I didn't expect the second one to get up as fast as it did. I thought I had it under control, but I guess I was wrong," Jack shouted back.

Jacob knew he was eavesdropping, but he wanted to know why his daughter was so angry with her CO and wondered when she had started to call him Jack. He should have stepped in. Sam had no reason to be insubordinate to Jack. He was about to walk in when he heard a whimper and what sounded like someone crying.

"I can't live like this anymore Jack. I almost lost my life on the Alpha Site. When I thought I had killed that soldier and he rose from the ground and I was too tired to move. That time on the planet I saw you get hit and fall to the ground. I ran up to you dreading what I would find. I thought your were dead. Thank God for your vest. We lost Janet to this war, and I can't do it anymore. I've sacrificed to much already and I will not sacrifice you as well," Sam cried.

Jacob was incredibly confused. He heard movement and peeked into the cargo bay. He saw Jack embracing his daughter and holding her with his good arm while his injured arm was taped to his chest. He kissed her forehead and rested his head on top of hers. Comforting her as best as he could, he whispered that he was sorry he had put her in this position and that he felt the same. Their sacrifice was too great and they would have to stop. Their luck couldn't hold out forever.

"I know this is hard right now Sam. Ever since Janet's death, we now realize how easy it would be to lose someone we care for before telling them exactly how we feel. Look at Daniel. He hasn't been the same since Janet's death. He blames himself for not telling her how he felt about her. He always thought there was time. He gave me the best advice any friend could that I shouldn't wait to tell you how I feel and to disregard the rules. Rules don't apply to the way the human heart feels. Sam, I want everyone to know that we're together and that we love each other. I want to forget all of this and retire and not have to worry if the next mission I go on will be my last. But we are needed. There is no one else out there that can do this job. We've seen and done things that can't ever be explained. We are soldiers and we just can't walk away. I know I will be sorry one day for crossing that invisible line, but today is not the day. I'm not getting any younger and I shouldn't have taken that chance. But if anything were to happen to you, I couldn't bare the thought of living the rest of my days alone. No Sam, I think we should reevaluate what we want before it's too late."

Jacob heard Sam agreeing.

"I'll quit if it means we could be together. I don't want to lose you either. Plus, I just don't think I can fight for the good of mankind anymore. I've seen so much destruction and loss of life these past few months that I don't think I can bare it any longer. And I won't give you up, Jack. Don't we deserve happiness? Don't we deserve to grow old together?"

Jacob stepped back and leaned against the wall. He could feel the sting of tears in his eyes. His poor baby girl she was pleading to have a normal life. It was something she had been denied as a child and now as an adult. When had her and Jack's relationship gotten so personal? He still thought Pete was in the picture, but he hadn't kept in touch with her. With all the turmoil in the Tok'ra and Rebel Jaffa ranks, he really hadn't had much time for his daughter. He heard Selmac speaking to him.

"You should be happy that she has the Colonel to comfort her. She is right and she does deserve to be happy and grow old. And if it's with the Colonel, then you should be supportive."

Jacob was about to leave when he heard Jack speak.

"You're right. You deserve happiness and to grow old with someone by your side. But Sam, am I the man to give you that? I wouldn't want to think that I kept you from finding happiness elsewhere. When you started to date Pete, it killed me inside, but like the saying goes, if you love something, set it free, and if it comes back to you, it was meant to be. If you want to keep looking to be sure, I'd understand. Remember, Sam, I'm a safe bet. I'm not going anywhere. I know what I want."

Jacob shook his head. For someone who pretended to be dense, Jack O'Neill was a smart man. He should be proud that his daughter had the luck to find a man who loved her for who she was. He'd seen her at her best and at her worse. He had always been there to watch her six, never asking for praise and just doing it because it was what he did. They were both lucky to have found each other. They needed each other, and once they realized that, then everything else would work out.

"Jack, even if I wanted to look for someone else, they wouldn't compare to you. You've set the bar too high and no one will come close. I'm not going anywhere. I love you, Jack, and no matter what, I want us to be together. I'd be willing to give all this up just to be with you. That's how much you mean to me," Sam said.

"I'll talk to Hammond as soon as we get back, and we'll compromise. I'll retire only if you retire from going off world. I could work as a civilian consultant and we could go from there. I also want to talk to your Dad. I know its old fashion, but in my day, it was a sign of respect to ask the father of the woman you love to see her. I just hope he doesn't zat me before I get to the asking part," Jack said.

Jacob started to walk away with a smile on his face. He was always a stickler for the rules and the regulations. He frowned on relationships between officers, but he would be making an exception in this case and would talk to George about giving these two a break. It's the least the world and the Air Force could do for them. They should be allowed to go ahead and pursue a relationship that he knew would be beneficial to everyone. He was going to pretend he hadn't just heard what he did. He was going to let poor Jack squirm a little. He could hear Selmac voicing her disapproval, telling Jacob he was an evil man to let the Colonel squirm. His reply was that he would do it just a little to let him know that if he ever hurt his daughter (which he knew Jack would die before he hurt Sam) he would have Anise perform one of her projects on him.

Getting back to the bridge, he asked Teal'c if everything was okay, and Teal'c replied indeed. He went over to cover Daniel with a blanket and looked up in time to see his daughter kiss Jack on the cheek before walking into the room.

Jack walked over to stand next to Teal'c. Jacob went to see where his daughter had been hiding. He could see her eyes were red and asked if she was okay. She nodded and said that everything was going to be fine. Jack came up to him and cleared his throat to get their attention. Jacob looked at Jack and asked if there was something he needed. Jack looked at Sam, and then back at Jacob.

"Ah Jacob? Could I have a word with you in private?" Jacob paused.

"What's this about Jack?" Jack motioned him out of the room.

"I just have a question to ask of you." Looking back, he could see the smile forming on his daughter's face. Seeing her smile like that justified making Jack squirm. And it was definitely was worth all the trouble these two would be getting into.

End