Two for the price of one! ; ) I've just uploaded the next two chapters in this story for all of my loyal readers! Enjoy!!!

2003

Jack sat down on his couch and opened his second (or was it fourth?) beeer. He still couldn't believe it. Joe?

His thoughts drifted to the day when he found out about what was going on with Sam.

It was a bright and sunny June afternoon. Jack walked into the third Aschen research facility in Colorado Springs he had been to that morning. Once he got inside he walked up to the front desk.

"Can I help you?" the woman behind the desk asked him brightly

"Yes, Dr. Samantha Carter. Does she work here?"

"Yes," the Aschen secretary replied, "but she isn't here yet. You may wait beside the door. She should arrive soon."

"Thank you," he said. As soon as he turned around he saw Sam standing by the door.

"Sam!" he called out. "Long time no see."

She gave him a hug. That hadn't happened in a while and he still felt like they were breaking regulations. They weren't, of course, but it still felt to him and he could tell she felt the same way.

"What brings to to Colorado?" she asked him, smiling the smile he knew was reserved for him.

"A business trip for the President. Needed me to talk to Hammond. I don't fly back until tomorrow so I figured I'd come see you."

"Come into my lab and we can talk, okay?"

He nodded. They walked into Sam's lab and he shut the door.

"Last time I saw you... I'm sorry for not believing you. I trust you more than anyone," she told him quietly.

"I know. I was probably being a bit over-dramatic. You know me," he teased. "I still don't trust the Aschen any more than I did back then, but I guess I'll just have to deal with it."

"I don't think they're going anywhere, that's for sure."

"So, what have you been up to?"

"Lots of scientific projects, but I'm sure you don't want to hear about those."

"Not exactly."

Sam smiled.

He took a deep breath. "So, you seeing anybody?" he asked. Sam stuttered out her reply.

"Yeah. I am. For about a year and a half now."

He tensed up ever so slightly before he seamlessly returned to his previous disposition.

"Who? Do I know him?"

"Um, yeah, you do."

Oh no, he thought. "Not Daniel," he said.

"No, not Daniel," she replied quickly. "Joe Faxon. The ambassador?" she said the words smoothly, trying not to provoke him.

"Faxon, you say? It's... serious?"

"Yeah, I guess it is."

"I see. Well, I warned you about that guy."

"Jack, he's really a great guy."

"Just... don't come crying to me when he breaks your heart."

With that, he walked out the door. And this time, he didn't look back.

"Joe," he spat. "She picked an ambassador - an ambassador! How could she do something so stupid," he wondered to himself.

He took a second to reflect on his life. Ever since Teal'c had gone back to Chu'lak and Daniel had left to do yet another archaeological survey in Egypt, Jack had been cut off from them. And Sam...

Even Jack had no idea how much d Joe until that day in Sam's lab. He hadn't spoken to her since. That wasn't to say he didn't want to, but he couldn't get up the courage to call. He couldn't bear to hurt her again.

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