She sat on the cold, metal bench in front of her new desk. She didn't know why this was happening to her. Just two weeks prior, she had been so happy.

"Samantha Carter, will you marry me?"

"Yes."

Then, they were both assigned to go to Abydos through the Stargate. At the time, nobody was aware that they had a personal relationship going...actually, nobody does even now. She had met him at an Air Force awards ceremony and had no idea that one day she would be called to a situation directly in his chain of command. The General had explained how vital the SGC was to the safety of their country, and that was something that she never had the heart to turn down, even for the man of her dreams.

"Sam, I think we need to talk about things."

"I think we do, too. Jack, I just don't know if I can pass up this opportunity."

"I know the feeling."

"I mean, I had always dreamed about exploring space as an astronaut. This is way better than that. I just can't explain it. Plus, there's a huge threat out there that our country needs us for."

"And I could never ask you to give up your career for me, but you do realize that if we both stay here, we will have to end our relationship. The regs prohibit fraternization between an insubordinate and her commanding officer."

"I know, and you have no idea how much my heart is breaking over this decision. I love you so much."

"Ok. Here's what I think we should do. We give this career thing a try. We've both seen what pond scum this Apophis is. I know that neither of us can idly sit back while we know that threat is out there. We can pretend that our relationship never happened as to not make people feel uncomfortable around us. Then, if either of us realizes that we made a mistake, one of us can transfer at that time."

"It's going to be hard to do...pretend as if this never happened between us."

"I know, kiddo. I know."

She had been so lost in her daydream that she didn't see Dr. Daniel Jackson enter into her lab.

"You okay, Dr. Carter?"

"Sam. Please call me Sam."

"Okay, Sam. I just thought that since we were going to both be a part of SG-1, we should get to know each other a little better."

"Okay."

"So, we'll start with the basics. Do you have someone waiting for you at home at night?"

She could feel the bile churn in her stomach. She looked at her calendar. The wedding would have been scheduled for tomorrow. She quickly sucked up her pride, choked back the bile, and looked Daniel square in the eyes as if to pretend that nothing was wrong.

"No. I'm not seeing anyone, and I've never been married."

"Well, you already know about Sha're. She was it for me. That's why I'm so driven about finding her."

They were interrupted by a knock on the door. She couldn't help but smile to see him standing in the doorway.

"There's my new team. Lunch anyone? I heard it's Mexican today."

"Yes."

"No."

It was Daniel who objected. He just kind of shrugged his shoulders.

"I already ate. Sorry."

Jack came over and patted Daniel on the back.

"That's okay. I guess it will just be Captain Carter and I."

When Daniel turned to leave, she cringed at the words Captain Carter. Two weeks ago it had been Sam, sweetheart. She could tell by the slight strain in his voice that he was having difficulty as well. It wasn't enough for Daniel to pick up on, but Sam knew Jack better than that.

"Okay, sir. Just give me a minute to finish up here."

When he was sure that Daniel was far enough down the hall, he closed Sam's door momentarily.

"I'm having a hard time with this, you know. I miss you, Sam."

"I miss you too, Jack."

"But even still, I think we are doing the right thing, at least for now...while there's such a large threat out there. We work well together, Sam. We always have."

"I know and I understand."

Little did they know that one threat would turn into many and that years would pass before the Goa'uld threat would be diminished.