A/N - This story is written as thanks to everyone who nominated "Instant Message" in the Stargate Fan Awards. It means so much to me that people not only took time to read and review that fic but to nominate it for an award - that's truly awesome. So I hope you all enjoy taking this journey with Jack, Sam and I.

Imagine you and me

Prologue

Samantha Carter sat staring at her computer screen as if the fate of the world depended upon the words that were found there. At least that's what it would have looked like if anyone had walked past her lab on that cold day in February. In actuality, she had just received another in the string of e-mails that had gone back and forth between her and Jack O'Neill. They centered on the topic of flowers and why he hadn't sent any to her on that day of designated flower giving. The e-mail's had quickly deteriorated into a series of witty one liners which were sent mere minutes apart.

She had laughed out loud when she had seen the most recent response which begged her to forgive him for being so unappreciative of her and offering up a collection of baseball cards which sat in his desk drawer as a sign of his affection. That or the bottle of Whiskey that lay next to the cards!

These events had led to her current state of staring which was, in fact, daydreaming. Without her realizing, the words from Jack's e-mail had blurred before her eyes as her mind wandered to a subconscious fantasy.

She was at some kind of military ball and was there on Jack's arm. He was in his dress blues while she wore a beautiful flowing gown that set off her eyes, which were already bright with happiness. They were laughing as General Hammond said something they both found amusing and Jack looked down at her lovingly, pulling her closer to him in an action that was both protective and possessive at the same time. And as her mind wandered further, she watched herself as the General moved away to speak with another guest, revealing her swollen pregnant belly.

In reality, the Sam Carter who sat in her lab, felt a warm feeling spread through her as she saw the vision that her mind had conjured up, and she smiled what could only be described as a goofy smile. It was in this position that Dr. Daniel Jackson found her.

"Sam?" he questioned, waiting for her to look up. "Sam", he repeated when she didn't answer him. "SAM!", he finally yelled and she literally jumped, surprised by his presence. Seconds later a guilty look appeared on her face and Daniel wondered what she'd been doing. Deciding that it was probably none of his business, he didn't ask, instead smiling at the woman of whom he had grown so fond.

"Do you want to join me for lunch? I don't want a repeat of yesterday", he said in a mock stern tone, referring to her skipping lunch and substituting it for a fat free cake and a cup of coffee at 15:30 hours.

"Sure", she answered, smiling back at her friend and colleague. "I'll be there in five minutes".

She watched him leave and then turned back to the e-mail, once again finding the words fully in focus. She shook her head at her own childish fantasies as she locked the screen on her computer. Sam knew that nothing could ever happen between her and Jack and for a moment was envious of the Sam and Jack that they had encountered through the Quantum Mirror. They, at least, had the choice of being together if their feelings and desires drove them in that direction. In her reality that option just did not exist.

For in her reality, Dr. Samantha Carter and General Jack O'Neill had made their life choices before they had ever met. Which was why outside of Cheyenne Mountain Sam was also known as Mrs. Pete Shanahan and Mrs. Sara O'Neill didn't even know that she existed.

A/N - BTW, did I mention this is an AU fic? Is that ok with everyone - will you still read it? I hope so :-)