She was sitting at the table with a piece of alien technology in front of her, knowing that if anyone came in it would look like she was working. But the fact was she wasn't. Samantha Carter, workaholic, was daydreaming. She reached up and grasped her necklace between her finger and thumb and rubbed it absently, thinking about the man who had given it to her.

She thought back to the last few days and couldn't help but smile. She'd taken a chance – a big one – in flying to Washington for Valentine's Day and it had turned out better than she'd ever hoped.

She'd been nervous. No – more than nervous. She'd been terrified. She and Jack had been speaking regularly on the phone and even though the conversations were sometimes awkward, it had still felt as if they were moving forward, finally, into a new relationship. The problem was, of course, that being so far away from each other made it difficult to really move forward. It was for that reason she'd decided to jump in with both feet and go see him. She'd known that he would never take the first step.

She remembered those moments standing outside his house, debating whether to turn around and flee or to ring the bell. The longer she stood there, the surer she'd become that she'd made a huge mistake. Just as she went to turn around and call for a cab, a tiny voice in her head told her to be brave and take a chance.

There had been a brief instant, after Jack had let her in, when she'd thought that she had made a huge mistake. Then, when she told him the she wasn't seeing anyone, she'd seen the happiness return to his face and the evening had only gotten better from there.

Their time together had had to come to an end and she'd returned to Colorado and to work. It was hard to be separated, but at least now they knew where they stood with one another. They were now officially a couple.

"Hey Sam, whatya doing?"

She looked up, startled. She hadn't heard him come in. "Uh – oh hi Daniel. I'm just –" she looked down at the object in front of her and realized she had absolutely no idea what it was or what she was supposed to be doing with it. "I'm just cataloguing this."

"Oh? What is it?"

"I – " Damn – what the hell was it? "Uh, it's a – a flux capacitor." She prayed he hadn't been into movies as a kid.

"A flux – what?" He frowned in confusion.

"A flux capacitor", she said, sounding sure. "Sg8 brought it back and Dr. Fields asked me to take a look and catalogue it. He had to leave early."

"Really? He told me he'd finished looking at everything Sg8 brought back."

"No – he didn't get to this one. What is it you want Daniel?" Truth be told, she was still a bit angry at him for telling Jack she had a boyfriend. She was mad at Cassie too. Although they were both well-meaning, they shouldn't have tried to interfere. In the end they'd just caused a lot of needless pain.

Daniel was still staring at the object on her table, looking at it as if it held the answer to a universal truth. "What does it do?" he finally asked.

"Do? I – " She had no idea. "It's an energy source." There, that sounded plausible and she was pretty sure that's what the flux capacitor had been for anyway. She just hoped he wouldn't ask any more questions. She quickly turned away from the table and looked directly at her friend.

He stared for another moment at the object and then seemed to shake himself. He looked up at her and gave a small smile. "Right. Uh – I just came by to say hi. I haven't seen you in a few days and I was wondering how you were doing."

She lifted an eyebrow slightly. "Fine – I'm fine. How are you doing?"

"Me? I'm okay." He paused and looked around her office, biting his lip. "So –uhh – do anything interesting the last few days?"

She knew he was fishing but there was no way she was going to tell him all that had happened. She decided she deserved a bit of revenge for the upset he'd caused."

"Not really."

"No? Did you -"

"Did I what?"

"I just wondered if you did anything for Valentine's Day", he asked casually.

Too casually she thought. She wanted to giggle but bit her lip instead. Her only regret was that Jack wasn't here to witness this.

"For Valentine's Day? Why do you ask?"

"I don't know – just making polite conversation I guess."

"Oh. Well yes, I did do something."

After a few seconds of silence Daniel cleared his throat. "I see. What? I mean, did you have a date or something?" He sounded hopeful, but she was pretty sure he wasn't hoping that she had had a date.

"Yes I did."

"Really?"

"Yes. Why, is that a problem?"

"No, no of course not. I'm just surprised." Daniel's arms snaked around his chest, a sure sign that he was nervous.

"Why are you surprised? Don't you think anyone would be interested in going out with me?" she asked in a sugary sweet voice. This was just so mean, she thought. But Daniel sort of deserved it. He really had to learn not to stick his nose in things.

"What? No, no - lots of guys would be interested in going out with you. I'm sure just about any man here would jump at the chance."

"They would?" She looked at him in surprise.

"Yeah – of course. So was it someone from here?"

"From the SGC? No. That wouldn't be a very good idea. It could start a lot of gossip and rumors and there's nothing I'd hate more than that." So there Daniel.

"I – yeah, I'm sure that would be – so not from here?"

"No." She frowned at her friend. "Why are you so interested? It's not like I haven't dated before."

"True, true. So it's just casual? It's not serious?" he asked hopefully.

"Oh, I wouldn't say that", smiled a knowing smile. "In fact, I'd say it's very serious."

"Really?" his voice squeaked and he looked quite upset. "But you haven't known him that long. It could just be – lust or something."

"Daniel!" she exclaimed, sounding shocked. "What do you think I am? It's not lust – although I admit I find him very attractive. And anyway, if it was, it wouldn't be any of your business. But I'll tell you anyway. It's much more than that. He's – just about perfect for me. He's tall and handsome, brave and honorable and very, very smart." She turned in her chair and smiled, biting her cheek hard so she wouldn't burst out laughing at her friend's sick looking expression. "I don't think I could have found anyone better."

"So – sounds serious."

"I told you, it's very serious."

"But I thought this was a first date?"

"Who told you that? Although you're right, it was a first date but I've known him for a while and anyway, I could tell after just a few minutes that he was the one."

Daniel looked at her as if he desperately wanted to say something, but didn't know quite what. His eyes suddenly narrowed. "What's that?" he asked, just noticing her hand playing with something hanging around her neck.

"This?" she dropped her hand away and showed him the heart. "He gave it to me. It's pretty, isn't it?"

"Sam – he gave you that on a first date? Don't you think this guy is rushing it a bit? I mean, that's the kind of thing you give someone you love, not on a first date."

"I told you, I've known him for a while and it was a beautiful gift."

Daniel sighed and shook his head slightly. "It's really none of my business, but -"

"You're right", Sam interrupted gently. "As much as I value our friendship, I can't let you interfere in this. I know I've made the right decision with this man. Can't you just be happy for me?"

"Of course I can. I'm sorry.", Daniel answered, sounding sad but guilty. "You know I want only the best for you. It's just -"

"Just what?"

"What about Jack?" he asked hesitatingly.

"Jack? What about him?"

"Well – I mean – we all thought -"

"Thought what Daniel?"

"We all thought that you and he – you know – that there was something between you. I guess we're just disappointed that you're seeing someone else."

"We're disappointed? What do you mean? Who else knows I'm dating?"

"Cassie and Teal'c both know", he told her.

"Cassie and Teal'c? Okay, I know about Cassie – I told her – but I certainly didn't say anything to Teal'c – and how do you know that she knows?"

"Well, she may have called me."

"She may have – Daniel, what the heck are you doing? This is my private life. You shouldn't be discussing it with anyone, lease of all Cassie."

"Hey, she called me. She was upset and needed to talk to someone."

"Upset? Why was she upset?"

"I told you – we all thought you and Jack would get together. She was disappointed."

Sam sighed and slowly shook her head. "You guys really need to get your own lives. Jack – the General and I are friends, very good friends and we're going to stay that way. You really shouldn't worry about us like this."

"But Sam – he's in love with you!"

"Who?"

"The Gen – Jack. He's loved you for years."

She closed her eyes briefly, feeling a twinge of guilt. Maybe she should just tell him and everyone would be happier. But then she remembered the stricken look on Jack's face – and the liquor bottles thrown in his kitchen garbage – and knew Daniel and Cassie had to learn a lesson. "Daniel, he was my commanding officer. We couldn't have done anything even if we'd wanted to."

"I know – not then, but now you can. There's nothing standing in your way – except for whoever this guy is", he finished in a mumble. "So, who is he anyway? What does he do?"

"Well, he has an office job", she told him, thinking furiously.

"An office job? He's a paper pusher?" he asked, trying hard to keep the disgust out of his voice.

"Yes –there's nothing wrong with that. He's an important man and makes important decisions."

"I'm sure he does, and I didn't say there was anything wrong with working in an office. I just pictured you with -"

"With?"

"Someone more active I guess."

"More active? I spend half of my life traipsing through jungles and forests, across deserts and over mountains fighting aliens intent on destroying our planet. Maybe I'm looking for someone with a little less active a life."

"So what's his name?"

She'd known this was coming and really didn't want to lie. She could say 'Jonathan' but that would probably give it away. It would be too much of a coincidence for the man to have the same name as Jack. "Uh –"

At that precise moment her phone rang. She was not one to believe in miracles, relying much more on science as her system of belief. However, in this case, she was sure there was some kind of divine intervention. "Hello", she picked up the receiver quickly.

"Hey Carter", Jack voice was clear to her, but she didn't think Daniel could hear him. At least she hoped not.

"Hello", she answered formally. Please let Jack figure it out.

"Howya doin?" he asked, a soft note in his voice.

"I'm well, thank you. Yes, I'll have it finished and back to you in a little while if that's okay."

"Is someone there with you?" he asked.

Thank God he was smarter than he sometimes let on! "Yes, that's right", she replied.

"Is it Daniel?"

"Exactly."

"And you don't want to tell him about us?"

"That's correct."

There was a pause and she prayed he wasn't offended. They hadn't really spoken about their friends, and she didn't want him to think she was hiding things – or at least she was but only for a little while. She needed some time for just the two of them, without questions and comments and teasing. And there was that revenge factor too!

"You're evil Carter, you know that?" His voice was filled with laughter. "Is he wetting his pants?"

"Yes, definitely."

He laughed out loud. "Enjoy, although you know you're in for it when he finds out?"

"Yes, that's to be expected with things like this, but definitely worth it."

"Okay. Call me later?"

"Absolutely and – thank you."

"You're welcome – and thank you. I'll talk to you soon Carter."

She slowly placed the phone down, her hand again moving to her necklace. She wanted to be back in DC.

"Everything okay?" Daniel asked.

"Huh? Oh yeah, everything's fine. I just need to get some work done. Sorry Daniel – maybe we can talk later?"

"Sure. Maybe we can get together for a team night this week?"

"That would be fun."

Daniel left her office, but before she had time to even blink he'd stuck his head back in.

"By the way, I did see Back to the Future. Next time I'd try to think of a better name for it. Flux Capacitor", he muttered as he left again.

She grimaced slightly after being caught out but then shrugged. Hey, she deserved to daydream a bit. It's not as if she did it very often - or ever for that matter.

She continued to sit for a few more moments, torn between guilt at basically lying to Daniel and wanting to laugh. Poor man – he was going to be miserable until she told him the truth. She bent her head and picked up the alien artifact and glared at it.

"Okay – what the hell are you?"

They went out on one short, boring mission that week and the rest of the time was spent catching up on some research and lots of paper work. Daniel and Teal'c were both relatively quiet, for which she was thankful, and neither mentioned anything about her 'date'. She knew they were dying to know – even Teal'c, who was usually quiet about things like that looked as if he had to bite his tongue on a number of occasions.

She found herself thinking about Jack almost all the time and had to talk to herself seriously while on their mission so that she could keep focused on work and not on the man she left back home. As the week went on she kept wishing that she could see him. Long distance relationships were horrible.

She finally decided, by the end of the week, that it was time to put her two teammates out of their misery and to tell them. She'd spoken to Jack every evening and he'd agreed. He'd had calls from both Teal'c and Daniel.

"They were checking up on me Carter", he laughed. "They're worried that I'm pining."

"And you're not?" she smiled.

"Of course – I'm pining for your company. So, you're really going to tell them?"

"Yeah. I'm having them over on Saturday. I wish you could be there."

She'd just finished dinner and got her pajamas and robe and grabbed a novel she'd wanted to read for a while. It was Friday evening and she looked forward to doing nothing. It was just as she settled in that her doorbell rang.

Frowning, wondering who it could be, she got up to answer the door. "Jack!"

"Hey Carter", he grinned. "So – can I come in?"

She reached her hand out and grabbed his arm and pulled him inside. She kicked the door shut and pulled him close and kissed him, hard - like she hadn't seen him for – days, weeks, years.

After a few loooong minutes, they both surfaced for air.

"Uh" Jack licked his lips, looking quite stunned. "That was – Carter?"

"Yes?"

"Can I come in again so we can do this over?"

"Why? You didn't like it?"

"Hell – I loved it. That's why I want to do it over."

She laughed and pulled his head down slightly until their lips met. "You don't have to come in again for that!"

It was quite a while later before they moved into the living room and sat down. "What are you doing here?" she finally asked. "You didn't tell me you were coming."

"I know – and I hope that's okay?" he frowned, looking slightly worried.

She giggled. "I did the same to you and of course it's okay. It's wonderful. I'm just surprised."

"Yeah, well I got finished early today and was on my way home when I decided to see if I could grab a flight. You know – being a General does have some perks."

"They had a seat for you?"

"Oh yeah. Anyway – I thought you might want some help telling Teal'c and Daniel. They're going to be a little ticked off – so I figured you could use some back up."

"Definitely", she nodded. "Thank you."

Jack was in the kitchen helping to make the salad. She'd been a bit surprised to find out how handy he could be around the kitchen. Usually when they'd gone for team nights to his place he'd ordered in, but it appeared he knew his way pretty well around a kitchen.

"I don't just eat junk food", he told her. "I have to watch my weight now that I'm not in the field anymore."

"You're looking pretty good Sir", she told him. She walked by and patted him on his six. "You feel pretty good too!"

"Huh – it only gets better Carter!"

She laughed but could feel herself turn a bit pink. She just hoped Jack didn't notice. As of yet they hadn't gone beyond some heavy kissing, both deciding it was better to wait and really get to know each other first before hopping into bed together. She'd agreed but now –

"Don't think so much", he walked up silently behind her and kissed her neck. "They'll be here soon. I'm gonna go change – I spilled some oil on my shirt."

It was only a couple of minutes later when the bell rang. With Jack still in the guest room she answered the door.

"Come on in guys", she welcomed her two best friends – except for Jack.

She got them settled, chatting to them both as they sat down in her living room. "What can I get you to drink?"

Just then a door shut down the hall. She turned back to face her teammates, who were both looking at her in surprise.

"Uh, Cassie here?" Daniel asked.

"Cassie? No, she's still at college."

"Do you have a guest Colonel Carter?" Teal'c asked. "Is this a poor time for us to be visiting."

"What? No – I mean yes I have a guest – but it's not a bad time. In fact, he wants to see you."

Just then they all heard whistling. Daniel frowned and then got a startled look on his face. "Jack?"

"Hey Daniel, Teal'c. Good to see you guys!"

"It is good to see you as well O'Neill." Teal'c spoke calmly, although the others could all tell he was disturbed. "I did not know you were joining us."

"No – it was a surprise", Sam told them. "It's nice though – all of us together again."

"Uh Sam?"

"Yes Daniel?"

"What about -"

"What about – what?" she raised her eyebrows.

"I think he means your boyfriend Carter."

Daniel and Teal'c both swung to look at him – looking like fish with their eyes bulging. "You – you're okay with it?" Daniel choked out.

"Okay with – oh, you mean with him?" Jack said, reaching over to grab a cracker from the plate on the coffee table. "Sure, why not? Carter deserves a man to love her – don't you Carter?"

"Jack!" Sam said, her eyes narrowed.

"What Carter? Don't you think you deserve a good man?"

"Yes, I mean – Jack!", she sighed this time.

"Well I definitely think you do." He walked over and put his arms around Sam and kissed her deeply. He finally put his head up and stepped back, taking her hand in his. "Come on guys, let's eat."

As they walked towards the table, her hand still held in his, Jack could hear Daniel choking – which was followed by –

"Jack – what the hell's going on?"

He grinned and kept walking.