A/N: For those who might have been confused: Ch. 1 took place before that episode ended. Ch. 2 takes places after the episode ended.

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Chapter Two: Divide and Conquer

It didn't take Jacob long to find Jack when he arrived at the SGC. He had expected to spend at least a few minutes searching, but he ran into the younger man in the elevator. The second the doors were closed, Jacob turned to him.

"Anise has told me what happened during the zatarc testing, Colonel." His voice was low and restrained, but still conveyed the dangerous quality that only fathers can manage. "I shouldn't have to remind you of the fraternization regulations, Jack. What the hell were you thinking?" His volume had raised slightly, but Jack merely rolled his eyes as he responded.

"I don't suppose there's any chance that I could have this conversation with Selmak instead?" Jack's tone suggested he didn't actually expect any such thing and he was surprised when the retired General's eyes flashed gold and a deep voice answered him.

"Jacob has requested that I stay away from this subject. He knows I do not agree with his opinion regarding the matter. I believe that ignoring your feelings for Samantha will only lead you both to regret." The last word had barely left Jacob's mouth before his eyes flashed once more and the stern and annoyed features of the host returned. Jack resigned himself to a very long lecture.

"I don't care what your feelings may or may not be, Colonel. You are the Second in Command of this base and her direct superior officer. That's not to mention the age difference and a tendency towards reckless and irrational behavior."

Jack opened his mouth to defend himself, but the older man continued without giving him a chance. "You once accused me of not caring about Sam and her career beyond what it could bring me and now this happens." A flash of anger lit his features and he exploded at the other man, "YOU'RE THE ONE WHO DOESN'T GIVE A CRAP ABOUT HER CAREER. WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU, JACK?"

The ding of the elevator arriving at its destination spared Jack from further yelling and Jacob exited the box with one last quiet admonition "You're a good man, Jack. Think about what this could do to you both." A stern stare followed his words as he stepped out and allowed the doors to close behind him, leaving Jack alone in the small space.

Jack's mind ran through everything that the General had said and he couldn't help but think that the older man had a very good point. He was well aware of exactly what breaking the regs could do to both of their futures with the Air Force. He also felt that Jacob's comments regarding his suitability for Sam were entirely accurate: he was more than a decade older and he did have a propensity for getting himself into bad situations. Despite all of those arguments – ones that he had already made to himself repeatedly since the testing – he couldn't help but flash back to what Selmak had said during her brief appearance. He already regretted a lot about his life, he didn't think he could handle adding Sam to that list.

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TBC