Author's Note: So this was my first attempt at a fan-fiction ever, and I just now dug it up on my computer. Let me know what you think. I'm a big shipper of the Jack/Sam relationship, so this is my attempt to take yet another, perhaps alternate view of what might have happened. This will be in several parts, which I hope to finish in the relatively near future. Life is a bit hectic at the moment however, so try to be patient. It might take a while.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to Stargate SG-1, the Stargate program, or any of its members.

Major Samantha Carter sat bent over her workstation, busy as usual, her fingers flying over the keyboard of her computer console. Everyone at Stargate Command had been informed that tomorrow would be the dreaded annual inspection by their supporters at the White House, and as such the day had been spent making sure everything was in order. Sam was just putting the finishing touches on the systems update for the dialing and gateroom safety protocols. She finished her last line and triumphantly hit the upload key.

SYSTEM ERROR – PROGRAM UNAVAILABLE

"What?" She punched up the program file. It looked fine. She tried again.

SYSTEM ERROR – PROGRAM UNAVAILABLE

Sam rubbed her forehead. She had been working all day and now this? It figured. This had just not been her week. Just then Daniel poked his head into her lab. He was out of uniform and looked as tired as Sam felt. He offered her a friendly smile.

"Hey Sam, I'm uh, heading out. I think everyone else has already left." He suppressed a yawn. "Are you still working?" he asked, noting the powered up computer.

Sam sighed. "Apparently. The system is giving me a weird error." She tapped a few more keys and frowned.

"Are you going to be alright?" Daniel asked, concerned. "Do you want me to hang around or can I help in any way?"

Sam smiled. "No, that's alright. Go get some sleep. I can finish up here on my own." They had all had a long day, and it wasn't fair to keep Daniel any further. He had worked just as hard as she had today.

"You're sure?"

Sam nodded. "Positive, but thank you."

"Well, you know how to reach me if you need anything. Goodnight."
"Goodnight Daniel."

As Daniel's footsteps faded down the hallway, Sam turned back to the error message that was taunting her on the screen. It was going to be a long night.

Sometime later, Sam was still staring at the same message. She was both exhausted and frustrated and she couldn't even vent that to someone. She now wished she had accepted Daniel's offer to stay. At least he might help her stay awake, and he always had new ideas. The sound of footsteps in the hall became louder as someone approached the control room. At this hour? Maybe Daniel was coming back after all.

Moments later, Colonel O'Neill poked his head in the door. He entered with a cup of coffee in each hand. "Still here, Carter?"

"Yes, sir. The system is malfunctioning." She gave him a quizzical look. "What are you doing here?"

"I forgot something," he said casually. "Coffee?"

He handed one of the cups to her and then took a seat in the chair at the end of her desk. He took a sip of his own coffee and put his feet up. "So, what's this malfunction?"

Sam was still a bit confused as to why he was here and more so why he had arrived with coffee, but she was glad for the company so she didn't question it. She doubted he would be much help in solving the problem, though.

"Well, sir, it claims to be unable to access the safety protocol program. I just finished the updates for the inspection tomorrow, but when I went to upload them the interface shut down and the only response I can get is this error message."

Jack took another sip of his coffee, only half listening to her explanation. He had a bad habit of tuning her out when she started talking that quickly. "Did you try the 'restart' button?" He asked, nonchalantly.

Sam gave him a look like he was crazy, but then again, she was about ready to try anything.

"No, I hadn't thought of that."

Jack gestured towards the computer. She held down the manual reboot button for a moment. The computer whirred and then quieted, and then slowly hummed back to life. Sam's heart sunk as a blank screen stared back at her. Colonel O'Neill noticed this and, sitting up, reached over and smacked the back of the computer.

"Colonel!..." Sam protested, but after a moment of blurriness from the impact the computer made a click and went into startup.

Jack smiled smugly. "Ta-da!" He said as he settled back into his previous position.

Sam was torn between laughing and wanting to smack him upside the head. She just shook her head and turned back to the screen.

"Ok…ok…the program is still functioning. I just have to reprogram the sequence and re-upload the compatibility links. It's going to take some time, but I can do it."

"Good to hear, Carter."

"Sir, you don't have to stay…"

"Nonsense. Go. Program. Upload. I'll be here." He waved his hand lazily towards the computer console.

She smiled and turned back to her work.

Some hours later Sam was interrupted by the sound of light snoring. She glanced over at Colonel O'Neill who sat, feet up, chin down on his chest, asleep in his chair. She supposed she hadn't exactly been stimulating conversation while she worked.

"Colonel?" she called softly.

He mumbled something incoherently in response.

"Colonel, wake up."

Slowly his eyes fluttered open.

She smiled. "I can finish up here, sir. Why don't you go get some rest. We've got briefing in 5 hours."

Jack squinted at the clock, attempting to asses the time.

"Go ahead sir. I'm fine, really." She said, seeing his hesitation.

He nodded sleepily and yawned, getting stiffly out of his chair. He put a hand subconsciously down on Sam's shoulder. "Goodnight Sam." He said, and then made his way to the door.

"Goodnight, sir." Sam said softly after him. Sam? He never called her Sam. She pushed the thought from her mind. Almost done. Trying to focus she set back to finishing her work.