A/N: sequel to "Dad", I guess the title gives that away huh…
A/N2: thanks to Seahen, from GW Jack/Sam family thread for reminding me that it's Service Dress not Dress Blues
Dad?
"How you doing Carter?" came a voice from the doorway.
Sam was standing outside, needing sometime way from the other people gathered inside to mourn her father's death. She turned, leaning on the wooden railing, and looked at the General in Air force Service Dress, who had presented her with her father's flag during the service a few hours ago. As she looked into the deep chocolate pools of her Commanding Officer, her friend, everything she had spent the last week repressing nearly came bubbling over; the look of concern evident on his face comforted her: he was her one constant, no matter how many times the Goa'uld or god knows who else had tried to kill or torture them, he was always there when she needed him.
They both turned back to lean on the railing looking out across the garden, both lost in their memories, after a few minutes, Sam's resolve started to slip, Jack reached out and placed his hand on her arm, trying to provide the comfort she needed from him, and he needed to give her. That was one thing she understood about him, he needed to give her the comfort just as much as she needed it from him.
"Thank you"
"Sure, I always liked Dad"
She turned and stared at Jack as she realised what he'd said.
"He always let you call him that."
Jack looked at her slightly confused
"What? Let me call him Dad?" he asked
She nodded, "Pete kinda tried to call him that when he met him, and Dad corrected him; he said that Pete had to marry me first. But he's let you call him Dad, almost since he met you. Only you and Mark, Daniel and Teal'c never called him that." Half-smiling up at him, she tried to imagine Teal'c calling anyone by anything but their full name or surname.
But then her smile began to waver, as her thoughts turned back to her father, but Jack was paying attention, and noticed her smile falter.
"C'mere"
He wrapped his arms around her shoulders as hers went around his waist, and he just held her to him and let her cry. After a few minutes the sobs had quietened but they hadn't moved apart, in fact one Jack's hands was holding the back of her neck, whilst the other was rubbing soothing patterns on her back, her head still buried in his chest.
Eventually, Sam's breathing back under control, she lifted her head to look him in the eyes, his hand now cupped under her cheek, as his thumb wiped the tear stains from her face.
Sam's breath almost caught in her throat as she saw the look in Jack's eyes, but she pushed it to the back of her mind, just letting it strengthen her to go back inside the house.
"Thank you" she repeated, "I think I should go back in now, see how Mark's doing."
Jack nodded and she stepped out of his embrace giving him one of her Jack smiles and walking back inside.
Jack stood leant against the railing for a few minutes more, promising to himself to do something about that beautiful smile he knew she reserved just for him. Well, he'd seen how tired she was, maybe he could convince all of SG1 to go up to the cabin for some fishing soon.
Maybe it would be time for something more…