"It's a long story."

Chapter 2

"When… How long has this… for God's sake why?"

Seeing the uncomfortable looks on the young peoples faces Sam took O'Neill's hand.

"Let's take a walk."

Sam smiled at the new arrivals and turning, held the arm of the bristling man and walk with him through the wood.

And it was a long story. It had begun a few weeks after they had met the 'young O'Neill' and recovered the 'original'. Sam started to think what she would have done in the Colonel's place. Would she have broken off almost all ties with her other self? Wouldn't she have been fascinated with the intriguing complexity of the situation? And then she turned her mind and heart to the incredible loneliness of the clone. It reminded her of the pain she felt when Hathor's minions had awoken her from the cryogenic sleep to tell her all of SG-1 and everyone she had known was dead. Sam understood the emotional pain the young man must feel but being O'Neill, he would suck it all up and let it fester.

In relaying this part of her tale Jack remembered too, feeling eviscerated by the news that they were…that she was dead. He squeezed her hand letting her know that he was listening to her, to more than just the words.

After the horrible mission that caused the death of Janet Frasier, the plight of the clone was again brought to Sam's awareness. The poignant feelings for the wounded O'Neill had almost undone her and then there was the funeral for Janet. At the cemetery Sam saw a young man lingering in the background. Thinking it was one of Cassie's friends she went over to him to invite him to the reception at Janet's house thinking it would be comforting for Cassie. But when she approached him she realized with a start it was the clone and he was upset. He had lost someone important to him without the comfort of family or friends. Everyone that he held dear was so far removed from him. She realized, too, that it truly hurt Jack to see the passing of Janet and the grief of Cassie. But she had given and taken comfort from the Colonel; the clone had no one. He would have to bear this alone. It put the seed of a thought in her mind.

At the reception in Janet's house, Sam walked in to see Cassie in Jack's arms, she was sobbing and Jack was patting her back, giving what little comfort he could. She saw him swipe the heel of his hand under his eye just as she put her hand on Cassie's shoulder. Cassie threw one arm around Sam while holding fast to Jack.

Later in the afternoon Sam saw Jack sitting on the living room sofa looking decidedly exhausted and some what grey, she fetched him a cup of coffee and slice of pie. He had seemed detached from the group, who were telling Cassie how Janet had saved them countless times.

"Coffee is kind of week and the pie is store bought."

"Thanks Carter, I think."

"Do you want to go?"

"Not suppose to drive yet"

"I'll give you a lift. I need to pick up some clothes. I'm coming back to spend the night with Cassie. I'd like to slip out and back before everyone goes."

He rose trying not to grimace. They left after reassuring the girl that Sam would return.

On the way to his house Jack divested himself of as much of his dress blues as he could -jacket unbuttoned, tie off, top buttons of the dress shirt undone. He looked knackered and when he arrived at his house he simply thanked Carter and headed inside.

Sam was about to leave she saw his tie on the driveway. She stopped, picked it up and brought it inside. He was still standing there, leaning against the wall, eyes closed, trying to summon up the strength to continue. She handed him the tie, and bit her trembling lip, and he put his arm around her. When she regained her composure she asked it there was anything she could do for him.

"A good strong cup of coffee, just so I can stay awake long enough to go to bed. You think the person who made the coffee in Janet's house would know we run on sugar and caffeine.
You don't have to do that Carter, honestly I'll be fine. Cassie needs you now."

For some bizarre reason, perhaps it was all the sorrow and pain and emotional turmoil of the day, she went to drop a kiss on his cheek as she left. And he leaned in to do the same. But they both turned and instead of cheeks, they found each others lips and they lingered just for a second longer then they should have and not near as long as they wanted.

"You sure there is nothing I can do?"

He quirked his lips but did not voice what came to mind.

"Go, take care of Cassie."