This started out as a short story on Cassie finding out about Jack and Sam - but has now grown to a multi-chapter story including other characters and the evolution of J/S relationship.

She whistled as she got ready for bed that evening. Cassie was coming for Easter weekend and would be here tomorrow. She could hardly wait. She hadn't seen her 'daughter' since Christmas.

Janet had named both her and Jack as co-guardians for the young woman and she had taken that responsibility seriously. And it wasn't even as if it was a burden. If it hadn't have been for her work she would have adopted Cassie in the beginning. She hadn't because she didn't think it was fair to the girl considering the dangers and unpredictability of her job. It was ironic – and tragic – that it was Janet that had died in the line of duty rather than her.

But now, she viewed Cassie as a daughter and knew the young woman thought of her – if not as a mother, than at least as a favorite aunt. She loved Sam and adored Jack, who had long been a surrogate father figure. It was still surprising to Sam how strong Cassie was. She had lost, not only her entire family, but her entire world. A few years later she had then lost her second mother. It sometimes made Sam wonder if she should continue to go through the gate. It was true she could die just crossing a street, but the fact was, her job was dangerous and she hated the thought of what Cassie would go through if another family member were to die.

And now, of course, there was an added incentive for retiring. She and Jack had been seeing each other for six weeks – since Valentine's Day, and she was more in love than she thought possible. She hated the fact that they were so far away from one another and could only see each other on weekends, and sometimes not even then. She missed him and wanted to be able to come home to him at night and have him come home to her. She sighed. She had no one to blame but herself – and him – they'd both chosen their careers in the Air Force.

She decided not to think about that anymore but rather to think about Cassie's visit. Unfortunately Jack couldn't make it – he had some important events this weekend with the visit of the Russian Ambassador. He absolutely hated this kind of thing although he accepted it as part of his job.

"I just wish you could be there Carter", he said on one of their nightly calls. "At least then I wouldn't be bored."

"I wish I could too, although I'd rather be with you – and not there."

"You and me both Sam", he sighed. "So, tell me what you two lovely ladies are going to get up to this weekend?"

She told him of their plans for a 'girls'' weekend. "Cassie said she needed some new clothes so we're going shopping. It'll give me a chance to get some things too. I haven't been shopping for clothes for a long time."

"Hey, don't forget to go to Victoria's Secret", he told her. She could just imagine him waggling his eyebrows. Men could be so predictable.

"Mmm hmm", she answered seductively. "I was thinking of buying this little scarlet colored teddy – you know, the one made of silk, with the ties down the front …?"

"Carter", he groaned, "You're killing me! Don't do that – not when I'm so far away."

"Just two words Jack – cold shower!"

"Hey – me and cold showers have become very well acquainted over the last few weeks. You know, you're a cruel woman Carter."

"Me? Hey, I've had my share of cold showers too you know."

"Really? Sweet." He sounded quite pleased by that, which in turn made her giggle.

"So General – be good this weekend. Don't go flirting with any Russian scientists or anything."

"Me? Russians? No way Carter – I've got all I need in my own sexy scientist."

After the call was finished Sam was smiling, although she now missed him even more than ever. God – maybe she should retire.

The next morning she woke up, feeling a bit under the weather. Damn – she hoped she wasn't getting sick just as Cassie was getting here. By later that morning she felt fine and was looking forward to her girl's weekend.

She picked up some groceries on the way home from work. Cassie had told her that she'd arrive by about 6:00 - and Sam decided they'd eat in and get caught up on each other's news. She grinned – and if it was a bit evil she decided the young woman deserved it. She hadn't told her yet about Jack and could hardly wait.

It was Cassie who had started all the trouble by telling Daniel that she was dating someone. He had, of course, told Jack – who had been devastated. It had almost ended their relationship before it had even begun. The only thing that had prevented that was her taking her courage into her hands and going to see him in DC. In the end everything had been fine – more than fine – and they were now a definite couple. Still, she'd been terribly upset at both Daniel and Cassie for their interference and for hurting Jack, even though that hadn't been their intent.

She'd already gotten back at Daniel, but decided that Cas still needed to be taught a bit of a lesson. Oh, she hadn't been too cruel – not as bad as with Daniel. She told Cassie that the Valentine's date with the fictional man hadn't happened – she just didn't tell her about her real date with Jack, or about the consequences of that one.

Well, she'd tell her this evening. She just wished Jack was here to witness what was sure to be an eruption of joy. There is nothing Cassie wanted more than to see her two favorite people get together. Sam was sure that part of it was Cas' desire for a family again.

She was preparing a salad for supper when she heard the key turn in the lock. Drying her hands on a towel she turned and walked down the short hallway, just in time to see the young university student walk through the door and place her bags on the floor.

"Cas", she cried, walking forward and enveloping the young woman in a hug. "It's so good to see you!"

"You too Sam", Cassie said, her voice thick with tears. "I've missed you so much!"

"Really?" Sam leaned back, her hands on Cassie's shoulders. "You mean you thought about me in between all those classes, all that homework and all those handsome young men?"

Cassie grinned. "Of course Sam – although I must admit the men were pretty distracting."

"Well come on", Sam told her, putting her arm around the young woman and leading her down the hallway. "Talk to me while I finish making supper. I thought we'd stay in this evening and rest up for our shopping excursion tomorrow."

The two of them talked and laughed all through supper. Sam asked the young woman all about life at college, about her classes, friends and, of course, any young men that had taken her fancy.

"Well, there are lots of cute guys", Cassie told her seriously, "although none that I think are really special – at least not yet. There was one guy who I really liked but -"

"But?"

Cassie shrugged. "He's a year ahead of me and kind of serious."

"Serious?"

"Yeah, you know. Most of the guys I see just want to have fun. They like to party and go to games and everything. This guy – he likes to talk to me about more serious stuff and he's not really into partying, although he did come to the party we threw just after mid-terms."

"What's his name?"

"Uh – Liam", she replied shyly. "But there isn't – I mean, we aren't dating or anything."

"Hmm, well, you have lots of time", Sam answered. She wouldn't say anything to Cassie of course, but she wondered a bit about this Liam. It sounded as if he was more mature than most of the girl's friends – which could be good, or bad, depending on which way you looked at it. Oh well, if 'Liam' became more serious she'd just send Jack to talk to him. He'd scare the crap out of anyone.

"So Sam, what about you?" Cassie was looking at her seriously, a worried frown between her brows. "You didn't end up going out with that guy, did you?"

"What guy Cas?"

"You know, the one you told me about before Valentine's Day. You said you had a hot date with some handsome guy. Did he call again? Did you ever go out with him?"

Sam sighed – silently – and debated whether or not to just tell her adopted daughter – or to string her along a bit. "We-ell", she drawled. "Yeah, I did."

"You did?" Cassie squeaked. "Really? Oh no Sam – tell me you didn't like him."

"What?" Sam frowned. "You sound like you don't want me to like him."

"I don't", she said. "You know I want you and ", she stopped, looking incredibly guilty.

"What do you want?" Sam asked, sounding suspicious.

"I want you and Uncle Jack to get together", she said defiantly. "I know I'm not supposed to say anything. Mom told me again and again not to – that it would be cruel because you guys couldn't do anything about it, which I think is just silly! We all knew that Jack adored you."

"You did?" This time Sam's reaction was totally honest. "You're just saying that. He wasn't crazy about me."

"Yes he was – is. He loves you Sam, everyone knows it. My Mom knew. She talked about it a few times, wishing that one or the other of you would retire and just 'jump each other'." When Sam looked at her in shock she giggled. "Yes, she said that – although I think she forgot it was me she was talking to. And Daniel and Teal'c know and so does Uncle George. We all thought that when Uncle Jack moved to DC you'd get together."

"You did?"

"Of course. I can't believe that you could have gone out with someone when you had Uncle Jack –General Jack O'Neill – pining for you!"

Sam thought back to what Jack had said about pining for her and almost laughed. Cassie was going to kill her. "Uh – but he was dating Kerry Johnson."

"So – that's when you were dating potato head – okay, okay", she held up her hands, "I'm sorry. I know I shouldn't insult Pete – he was a good man, yadda, yadda, yadda, - but Sam – come on – Pete Shanahan vs Jack O'Neill? What were you thinking?"

"I was thinking that I wanted to have a normal life, settle down, have a house, two kids and a dog. I thought that J – er General O'Neill had moved on."

"No you didn't. He didn't move on – you did. But look, I understand, and so did Jack but now – you don't have to worry about not being able to get together. You can do it – so why don't you?"

"It's not so simple Cassie", she started to say.

"Sure it is. You just call him up and tell him you want to come to DC and jump his bones. He'll say 'sure Carter, come on up'. Then you'll fly in an Air Force jet and be there in less than an hour. He'll meet you, take one look at you and kiss you passionately. He'll then take you back to his place and have his wicked way with you – and you'll love it!"

Sam couldn't help but laugh at the young woman's words, although she could also feel the blood rushing up to her face. She lifted her hands and placed then on her burning cheeks. "Cassie! Where do you get such an active imagination?"

"Samantha Carter! Don't you dare tell me that you haven't imagined that whole scenario? In fact, I bet you have all sorts of Jack O'Neill fantasies. Did you even dream of doing it on an alien planet? Or what about in a supply closet at the SGC?"

"Cassie!" Sam spoke to her friend, half laughing, half serious. "Stop that! You're embarrassing me!"

"Come on Sam – I'm an adult and I know darn well you've had your share of fantasies. Heck, if Jack was younger and not like a father to me I would too. You have to admit he's a sexy guy!"

"Yeah", Sam sighed. "He is, very sexy. Well, I can tell you I wouldn't call him up like that."

"No?" Cassie said, sounding disappointed.

"No. I'd fly to DC without telling him and I'd show up at his door, dressed in the sexiest dress I could find, with my hair done up and wearing make-up. I'd tell him that I wanted to be his valentine and then, when he agreed, I'd kiss him passionately. He wouldn't know what hit him! After that I'd tell him I was in love with him – madly – and then we'd start to see each other and he'd fly out here and I'd fly to DC and we'd – well, you don't have to know what we'd do, although I'm sure you can imagine – being an adult and all. Anyway, that's what I'd do."

There was dead silence in the room. Sam looked over at the young woman seated next to her on the couch and couldn't help but grin at how big Cassie's eyes had grown. Not only that, the woman's mouth was hanging open. Sam giggled.

"Samantha Carter! Are you – did you – is this real?"

"Do you mean did I really fly out to DC and tell Jack I wanted to be his valentine? Yes, I did."

"What?" Cassie squealed. "Really? Oh my God – you're not joking are you?"

"No, I'm not joking."

"But - but what about that gorgeous guy you were going to date?"

"You don't think Jack is gorgeous?"

"Jack? You mean that's who you meant all along?"

"Yes", Sam laughed and immediately covered her head as Cassie started beating her with one of the cushions.

"You are so evil Sam!" she cried. "I can't believe you did that. How could you? Oh my God – you and Uncle Jack? YEAH!" she shouted at the top of her lungs. "It's about time. I am so happy!" She reached over and grabbed Sam and gave her a huge hug. "I still can't believe you did this but I'm so happy for you guys. I'm gonna have to call him and kill him", she said. "He didn't say a thing, and here I was feeling sorry for him because I thought you'd moved on and were dating another dweeb!"

"Cassie!" Sam said, laughing. "Poor Pete – he really was a nice guy."

"I know, I know – and I wish him all the best. I hope he finds some great woman and falls madly in love – but I'm so glad it won't be you. God – you and Jack! Mom would be so pleased", she suddenly grew serious and her eyes filled with tears. "She really wanted you both to be happy you know."

"I know', Sam said softly. "Somehow I think she knows Cas", she said, giving the other girl another hug.

Cassie sniffed and nodded. After a few moments the sad moment passed and Cassie began to ask all sorts of questions, some of which Sam answered, others she just laughed and refused to answer. There were some things that would remain private between her and Jack.

"Do Daniel and Teal'c know?', Cassie suddenly asked.

"Yes, they know."

"So I was the only one who didn't?" she asked, sounding a little miffed. "How come you didn't tell me?"

"Well, I wanted to tell you in person rather than over the phone", Sam told her truthfully, although it wasn't the only reason. "The other reason Cas was because – well, when I told you I had a hot date over the phone I didn't tell you it was Jack because I needed to keep it private for a while. I wasn't sure how it was going to work out – or even if it was going to work. Instead of keeping what I'd said private – or asking me about it if you were upset – you called Daniel."

Cassie suddenly started to look uncomfortable, as if she knew where this was going. "I was worried Sam", she explained. "I knew Jack would be upset."

"Yes – well he didn't need to be upset. If you, or Daniel, had simply spoken to me then Jack wouldn't have heard that I was seeing someone else."

"No! Do you mean Daniel called him?"

"Yes, that's exactly what happened."

"Oh God – and he was devastated, wasn't he?"

"Yes, he was. He had been planning to come and see me but decided not to. Not only that, he was sure that there was no chance for us and he was – upset – to say the least."

"I'm so sorry Sam – I didn't – I – shit! I am really sorry. I shouldn't have done that and I feel terrible. I'm just glad everything worked out okay."

"So am I", Sam smiled. "And I got my revenge on Daniel. I let him think I'd found someone else. He was miserable."

"I can believe it", Cassie laughed. "And so you let me stew for a while too!"

"Yeah. I'm sorry. I know it was a bit mean but -"

" – but it served me right! I get it Sam and I don't blame you at all. At least you guys are together! Hey, I just had a thought!"

"What is it?" Sam looked at her suspiciously.

"I can be a bridesmaid! I'll call Daniel and get him to start working on Jack!"

Sam groaned and buried her head in her hands.

One more chapter after this.