A/N: So I was listening to one amazing Czech song called "Little star" and it left me all thinking… and so here we are. It was supposed to be one chapter thing but I decided to split it up a bit… just seemed better this way… oh and in the very last chapter I will post the translated lyrics! :o)

I wasn't sure about the timeline but I hope this will work for you… and although I did some research there might be some things a bit inaccurate –so thank you in advance for understanding :o) But hey – if you notice something really off, lemme know and we can fix it! I'm open to suggestions! :o)

Timeline: Around Tangent… we start on their way back home…

Spoilers: some minor ones… let's say up to Tangent

LITTLE STAR NAMED SAMANTHA by Isobel

She said it that day… the day they'd been sitting there together, her head resting on his chest, under his chin, her body safely wrapped in his arms, their hands holding, fingers tangled, the day they'd kissed gently although not so innocently on the lips for the first time… later that day, well, rather that night, she said it. And neither could expect that it would hold such significance to them, to both of them.

"I wish I could see the stars from here…"

"Stars?"

"Yes, they are up there… they have to be."

He would always remember it. The way her eyes were shining, how her voice caressed his heart, how warm she seemed to be in his arms, full of life and radiant. He felt something intense, coming from the deepest parts of his heart and soul, reaching the surface, making his skin tingle and heart beating faster… he had experience being in love before but never like this. It was unique… she was unique. Smiling at him, trying to share something with him in this one perfect moment.

Later he understood. It was not Thera, it was Sam Carter talking, one part of her mind that would always be up there somewhere.

Jack knew he should forget, he knew it was inappropriate and all wrong and dangerous but with his own love for stars and space, he could only carve her smile and eyes into his heart to keep it there forever. That was all he could ever have, just the memory. It would never happen again and he needed at least the tiny thought to hold onto, to remember, he needed it to embrace his heart and always keep it beating.

And so now, while being trapped in the messed up space-craft along with Teal'c, he could think only about the stars.

Jack felt pathetic a bit. Well, more than just a bit. He felt like the biggest pathetic fool ever.

Here he was, slowly dying in the middle of nowhere, on their way to a Goa'uld homeworld that just happened to be several hundred years away, and he was thinking about his subordinate? Smooth, O'Neill, really smooth, he thought.

Deep down he knew that Carter would be the one to do all the possible and impossible to find them and help them. He was sure that Daniel would be there with her, trying to help even if it would mean just bringing her fresh coffee every thirty minutes and persuading the staff in commissary to keep all the blue jell-o for her.

Besides he had learned a long ago that sometimes Daniel's comments and questions were just the thing Carter would need to do her magic. Yeah, he had a brilliant team and he was damn proud of it.

Jack trusted his team implicitly. He knew that they would do whatever necessary to save his sorry ass and Teal'c as well of course. But somehow here in the deep space, all the thick fog had been lifted from his mind and he could see it all clearly. This was it. This was the place where he would die. So this small life recap was not that bad idea.

He was hoping for some better results, yeah but well, with his past and all the guilt eating up his soul, he couldn't be that surprised now, could he? His best friend – sarcasm, wasn't helping anymore. Here all the bets were off. It was just him, pure and brutally honest with himself.

But who was he kidding, huh? He would be saved, he knew he would. And then after getting back to Earth, the masquerade would start again, masks would be put on once more and this little screwed-up trip would be forgotten because hey – they still had a war to win and at least one planet to save!

Anyway, Jack couldn't chase out one question out of his head. Why did Carter love stars so much? He knew why he loved them… but why did she?

He knew that her childhood dream had been becoming an astronaut, joining NASA and going to space in a shuttle. He knew her well enough to know that something worse than just the Challenger tragedy had to happen to send her in a different way, onto a different path… but still she seemed to be keeping the stars and space close to her heart. Why?

Before falling unconscious, Jack promised himself that he would ask her. Later. But he would. He had to know… he had to figure that one out. It was Carter after all and he wanted to know everything about her. Was it silly? Maybe. But to him it had always been, well almost always been making perfect crystal-clear sense.

The next thing Jack remembered was … Carter…? No, wait… Goa'uld ship next to his window? Really? Oh how he loved hallucinations… Jake? Carter? Sam? Carter? What? Really? Not a chance! And was that Daniel?

He knew Sam was asking something but he couldn't think straight. But she was asking him to trust her and that was something he could do. And so he did it. Well, Teal'c did it but he was following.

He couldn't remember much, just the dark, the space, all the thoughts about stars and space gliders… all mixed up together. Oh and then there was the headache… Huge headache.

And then there was Jacob. The guy he used to fear, the guy he had swiftly started to admire.

"Jacob…. Thanks for stopping by…"

"What the hell, I was in the neighborhood…. You need a lift home?"

Jacob was smiling at Jack. He knew the man would mean troubles. But he sort of started to like him a long ago… he was one fine soldier. And hell of a friend, he knew that.

They wanted to get home, quickly. But the ship had other plans. It turned out that it had taken a hit at the unplanned meeting with the mothership. And with the way the power had been drained by the wanted - needed speed, they were in troubles.

Jacob took a look at the ship and at the crystals… and he was really surprised to find out that the solution was actually simple. They just had to wait for an hour or two, let the ship rest, as Daniel had so nicely put it… it was like with any other piece of basic technology back on Earth… stoves, ovens, phones, televisions, batteries… sometimes they just needed their rest.

Teal'c was not in a good shape. So he found himself a nice place in the corner and started to meditate. He knew that Junior, yes, that name had grown on him, would help him.

Sam talked to the base, Janet was there to ask about Teal'c and the Colonel's condition. She was worried.

"Sam, I think Teal'c just needs to rest and let Junior help him out…"

"He thinks the same, he's already resting…"

"And the Colonel… I think he's gonna be okay but please, if you can, try to make him drink as much as possible and keep him awake. Let him rest but before I get a chance to check him out, just to be sure don't let him sleep… can you do that?"

"Yes, I think so. Thanks, Janet. See you in few hours. Carter out."

And so she found some water, of course Jacob had some on board and decided to keep the Colonel some company. Doctor's orders after all. She wasn't that sure that it was necessary to keep him awake. But Janet said so and she was the right kind of doctor here. And well, she wasn't about to leave him anyway, sleeping or not.

Jack was sitting on the ground, resting. He was tired and the headache was not getting much better. Carter gave him aspirin… she was his angel, no doubts about that. Those blue eyes… they should be marked as illegal…

Jacob wanted to talk to Jack but noticed his daughter there with him. Teal'c was meditating and Daniel was already leaving the room to sit in the front of the ship. Jacob didn't particularly like the situation but well, he was not blind. Besides Selmak was doing all the hard work of keeping the man calm.

He didn't understand the relief he had felt after saving Jack and Teal'c. One part of him wanted to let them suffer so they would understand the mistake they had made. But the other 99,99% of him wanted to save them. Why? Because he cared. Because his daughter cared. Because they had become his friends and more than just allies. And because, maybe just tiny little because he simply knew that without Jack and Teal'c his days would be less interesting… and his daughter would be much more sad and feeling empty.

His fatherly side wanted to think it through and be happy for her. His military side got to see the rest of it and he was not happy about it. But in the end, especially with Selmak being his constant companion, he could see more the benefits and less the risks. Besides they were on his ship now and nobody would talk about the time spent here… and he was sure that both Sam and Jack could suck it up when needed.

Well, given to some recent events obviously not always but well, hopefully as much as possible. And so he allowed them all that hour or maybe two of solace, peace and silence, of something stable. Yeah, the ship was okay… but actually not far away from real malfunctioning so his reasoning was almost accurate. Sam didn't seem to be suspicious and that was all that counted. For now. In two hours they would start the engines again and go back to Earth.

Jake took a look at his daughter putting something folded behind her CO's head to let him rest a bit more comfortably. He noticed how happy Jack had been earlier. He didn't notice him or Daniel. He noticed her. And when he said hi her eyes were sparkling … just like her mother's used to.

He wanted to understand it, he wanted to know the whole truth, he wanted to sort it out, he wanted to save his daughter and her CO from some very bad decisions but Selmak stopped him. This was not his place to do anything… or say anything. Those two were adults and knew how to take care of themselves, sometimes… besides by giving them the time to be together, to adjust to the situation, to regain some composure, he had already done more than just enough.

Jacob sat down in the front of the ship and looked at Daniel. And of course, Daniel noticed. He could be very observant.

"Jacob?"

"Nothing…"

"Really?"

"It's…. do I need to worry?"

Daniel understood him completely and immediately. He knew what the man was talking about, oh yes, he knew. They were actually both equally concerned and … in some strange way also happy. They both looked back only to see Sam sitting down next to Jack, finding a place to rest there as well. Jack reached for her hand, squeezed and she smiled… he let go and she kept on watching him with concern written all over her face.

Daniel knew a lot more than Jacob and they both were aware of that fact… They learned how to trust each other. And now was the time when they were counting on that trust. Rescue mission actually being even more dangerous than the original mission itself… and obviously not without consequences.

"No, you don't have to worry…"

"You sure about that?"

"Yes…"

And Jacob believed him. Daniel wasn't sure if he believed himself but Jacob just nodded so… he believed him and that had to be enough, at least for the time being. And so they were sitting there together, waiting for the ship to be operational again. And Jacob just had to ask about the stupid idea of introducing them as Oz.

Back in the ship O'Neill was sitting on one side, leaning against the wall a bit, trying to get rid of the headache. The aspirin helped a bit but it was still a bit too much.

Carter found some more water there so soon she poured it into a cup and made O'Neill nice cold piece of cloth to put over his forehead. She was also trying to make him drink. His body needed it. Desperately.

He knew it was inappropriate and he knew it was wrong but he had to ask her anyway. He could and he would deal with the consequences later. Hopefully.

"Carter, can I ask you a question?"

"Sure…"

She was looking at him, sitting next to him, far enough to be professional and his 2IC and close enough to be his friend.

"I know you love the stars and space… I just don't know why… or since when…"

"Sir… that's…"

"Let me rephrase that… I don't want to know all the scientific details or anything… just why you, Samantha, had fallen for stars and space… and when did it happen… well, of course if you wanna tell me."

"How did you figure this one out?"

"What?"

"The question!"

"Ehm..."

"I know it's caused by the lack of oxygen…"

"Wait! What?"

"I mean normally you would be asking about details about the mission and General Vidrine and about how we found my father and all… and you ask me about this?"

"You want me to ask you about the rescue?"

"Eh… no, actually not exactly."

"I'm officially confused, Carter."

She smiled at him and ducked her head a bit for a moment. He really could be adorable, couldn't he? She knew this conversation was officially not taking place… and especially not with her father only few feet away from her. She knew he could hear them… somehow she decided not to care in the end.

"I just didn't expect you to ask something like this, that's all…"

"Am I making you uncomfortable?"

"No, Sir, you're not… It's fine. Just… why are you asking me? Why now?"

"I wanted to ask earlier but didn't get the chance… and you know, being doomed to die in that damned glider made me … think about …. things."

"So…?"

"So I am just curious and I promised myself that I would ask you… so I'm asking you now."

His tone was light and yet she could hear the emotions there. He was grinning at her, he seemed to be a bit nervous and unsure though. Suddenly she had the urge to comfort him… she really liked it when he was being open and honest. It made him look a bit vulnerable but she wouldn't trade it for anything.

Thinking about her and her passion for stars, promising himself that he would ask her later, it made him survive through this, like thinking about his ex-wife made him survive the crash all the years ago. It had become a habit actually, he would make it through anything and everything while thinking about seeing Sam for one last time, hearing her laugh or explain something, getting to know her even better…

Jack wasn't sure if she could pick up on the real meaning of his admission… but the way she was looking at him was speaking for itself… he could see the brilliant smile again, and it was clear. She knew… she understood.

Then he knew that things would be just okay. He really was safe, here in the middle of one beautiful Solar System on board of Goa'uld ship with one big jaffa, Tok'Ra, archeologist and with … Samantha, the astrophysicist. Now he just needed the answer. Why had she fallen for stars?