VisualIDentificationZeta: thanks for pointing that out to me. I did realize discarding the frat regs probably wasn't that easy but it was necessary for the story. I do appreciate you explained it to me, it comes in very handy for other fanfics. Thanks!

About the line 'emotional range of a teaspoon' you were all so excited about: I wish I could take credit for it but it's not mine. Just something I picked up when watching Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

Chapter 2: Hell hath not fury like a woman scorned

The date went pretty well. Jack took Sam to a nice restaurant where they had a nice talk and dinner. They didn't seem to have problems adjusting to their new situation although Jack caught Sam slipping up a few times and addressing him as 'Sir'. But looking back, he had to say he had had a great time and he hoped Sam felt the same.

Inevitably, the night drew to a close and all too soon they were in front of her house saying goodbye.

"So, this was nice." She sounded nervous, he could tell and he smiled in an effort to make her feel more comfortable. Despite of what she had said about him, he couldn't bring himself to make her feel uncomfortable on a night he didn't want her to forget.

"Yeah, we should do it again some time."

"Definitely." He could have jumped around and cheered when her answer passed her lips, but instead he went for 'goofy smiling'. Oh god! She was turning him into a sap! Time to act O'Neill!

He took a step closer and she tensed. He smiled at her reaction but still proceeded to move towards her.

'Oh God, he's going to kiss me!' The thought crossed her mind. As he got closer, she remained still. When he was just two inches away from her mouth, he deviated to her cheek, gave her a small kiss and backed off. Her beautiful big eyes stared back at him. 'What the…?' She was so sure he was going to kiss her, on the lips, hot and passionate, just like she'd always imagined it.

"Sleep tight." He was pleased to see her dazed, too surprised and unable to articulate anything that made sense. He thought it wise to make his retreat and got in his truck. One last glance at her house told him she had gone inside so he drove off.

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The next morning, Jack was in a very good mood. His date with Sam had gone well and he was very optimistic about a repeat of last night's events. Nothing could spoil his day. So he resorted to one of his favorite hobbies: bugging Daniel. He couldn't wait to rub his friend's face in the fact that his evil plan was working. The archeologist was going over the stuff he collected on their oh so fun mission when he walked in.

"Hey Spacemonkey." His friend didn't even look up.

"Jack what did I tell you about calling me that?"

"Haven't a clue, mustn't have paid attention." Daniel rolled his eyes and faced him.

"What do you want Jack?"

"What? A guy can't come and say hello to his friend?" Daniel continued to look at him and raised his eyebrow. Jack swore he must have gotten Teal'c to tutor him. "Went on a date with Carter last night." Now that little bit of information caused the archeologist to sit a little straighter.

"Really? Well… how did it go?"

"It was… nice" There was that stupid goofy smile again. He didn't seem to be able to keep it from his face lately whenever he thought about Sam and their date.

"Nice? That's all you can say? It was nice?"

"Okay it was better than nice." He hesitated a little before moving on. "I'll bet you fifty bucks that she'll cave in first."

"Oh for God's sake you're not still on about that are you?"

"Of course I am! I've got to prove her wrong." Jack cried indignantly.

"I'm telling you Jack, you're going about this the wrong way."

"And how would you know Daniel? It's not like you're so hot on the dating scene." He had to admit, Jack had a point there. "Trust me, it'll work out."

"Okay. Just don't come complaining to me when your little plan doesn't work out." Jack rolled his eyes and decided a strategic retreat to the commissary for cake was in order.

"Bye Spacemonkey." And the sound of Daniel choking in his coffee in rage followed Jack in the hallway.

It didn't take long for the rumor to spread around the base that Jack and Daniel were betting about who was going to make the first move and everyone soon joined in. Everyone except the astrophysicist herself of course, who was none the wiser.

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Sam was having a weird day. Everywhere she went, people quickly stopped talking. At first, she hadn't paid it much attention. If some people were talking about her, so be it but this wasn't just some people. The entire base seemed to be in cahoots. Everyone she met looked at her in a strange way, as if she was some sort of weird alien that had penetrated the base. She wondered what it was about. What was so interesting about her that everyone would want to talk about it? She hadn't done anything THAT spectacular… lately.

It wasn't until sometime in the late afternoon that she finally found out. She had been on her way to the showers to wash off the orange juice Felger had accidently spilled on her when she noticed some voices inside. It was SG-3 who had come back from their mission. She didn't mean to eavesdrop on them and was just about to turn and walk away when she heard her name. She froze and moved closer to the door so she could listen.

"Yeah I heard about it." That was Reynolds, Sam recognized.

"Heard about what?" The captain of the team asked, Sam couldn't quite recall the name.

"The bet O'Neill made with Jackson." Major Bosco replied. At this point, Sam pressed her ear against the door. What bet? And what did Daniel have to do with it?

"What bet?" The captain asked again.

"Apparently Carter and O'Neill have this thing going now the frat regs are gone and O'Neill made a bet that Carter will succumb first."

Sam backed off in shock. Jack had made a bet that she would fall to her knees for him? Beg him to have a relationship with him? That overconfident bastard! Rage coursed through her and she balled her fists to keep from beating the wall to pulp. She would have to have a chat with him, AFTER she got her shower.

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Airmen quickly cleared the way when they saw a steaming Sam marching through the hallways. Boy was the one who had gotten her mad going to regret his actions, crawl on his knees and beg her for mercy.

"Hey Sam, I wanted to ask you…" Oh this was SO not a good time. She had absolutely NO desire to talk to Daniel now.

"Not now Daniel!" As far as she was concerned, he was an accomplice and deserved the same punishment.

"O-kay." He stared after her with a surprised look on his face.

The doors of the commissary flew open and furious Sam stood in the doorway. She looked around until she found the silver-haired ape she was looking for. She came to a halt in front of him, barely noticing the entire population in the mess had their eyes trained on the couple.

Sam tapped her foot on the ground, crossed her arms and kept glaring at Jack until he looked up. He looked surprised to see her like that.

"Carter? What's wrong?" He asked with his most innocent tone of voice that set her off even more.

"You bet with Daniel that I'd fall for you?" To her relief it came out alright, even if you could clearly hear the anger she was suppressing. She didn't think she was able to speak at all because of the rage she was currently feeling. He swallowed.

"Well… you suggested I couldn't restrain myself once there were no more regs." He just had to say that, didn't he.

"I did not say such a thing!" By now, everyone had abandoned their food and turned their attention to the show unfolding in front of them.

"Yes you did!" His voice had risen a few decibels too.

"No! I said I was afraid we'd probably rush into things!"

"Oh and that's different… how?" They were face to face, each shouting hard enough to be heard in the control room.

"I never said I thought you couldn't restrain yourself!"

"Well… maybe not in so many words!" She'd had it up to here with his semantics.

"Fine! I thought you couldn't control yourself! Happy!?" He could be proud of the amount of sarcasm she'd used.

"This is precious, I can't control myself?! What about you?! Eying me all the time and practically drooling!" Sam nearly exploded.

"I did not…!"

"Admit it, you can barely restrain yourself! That was the reason you were so afraid of going out with me!" Oh that was the last straw. He was going to regret the day he ever met her.

"Why you arrogant, overconfident, self-centered bastard!" She poked him in the chest in time with each word to emphasize her point. "I don't need your help living my life and I'll have you know I can restrain myself extremely well!"

"Now that's something I have to see!"

"Just wait!" And with that she stormed out of the mess.

TBC…