A/N: I won't be able to post again until Monday because I am in my friend's wedding this weekend, and it is out of state. Pleas read and review though, so that when I get back I can get started right away! Special thanks to stusue for her detailed review…there were some good questions in there that I think I am going to take the time to answer. No Teal'c this chapter…it is going to take me a little longer to get there then I thought, but it'll be worth it!

Chapter 7

(A week later)

In D.C. Jack O'Neill was not a happy camper. In fact, he was an incredibly cranky camper, which his staff and particularly his secretary could attest to. It probably didn't help that he had been averaging two hours of sleep each night for the last week. It also didn't help that he had run out of whiskey a couple of days ago and hadn't bothered to go back for more yet.

At the moment, Jack was sitting in his chair and glaring imposingly at his desk. Well, more specifically, at his phone. In his own little world he was content to blame the phone for ruining his life last week. That was a better option than believing that one of his best friends was dating the woman he loved behind his back. A much better option.

Jack sighed, frustrated with the situation for even occurring, and at himself for dwelling on it so much. A small part of him kept trying to convince himself that if Sam was happier this way, he shouldn't care. The rest of him knew that he did care, and he probably always would, and inside he argued back and forth.

'You left Jack. What did you expect her to do?'

'Miss me the way I miss her. Talk me into coming back. Hell, give me a reason to come back.'

'You all but told her that you weren't interested. You saw the look in her eyes when you left.'

'Well, she could have said something too. Why does this always have to be the man's job!'

'You're supposed to be more secure.'

'Yeah well look how that turned out. She's already with someone else. Did it have to be Daniel though?'

'Can you blame him? He's worked as closely with her as you did. Did you think he was blind?'

"YES!" Jack shouted, and got up and paced angrily around the room, sick of having this same conversation with himself day and night. He couldn't sleep, couldn't focus, and was only further annoyed by the ever increasing mound of paperwork that he wasn't doing. Catching sight of his phone again, he decided to do something. Anything. He picked it up, unsure of who to call at first, but then decided on General Hammond. He always knew what was going on. He could tell Jack how long this had been going on, and most importantly, if Sam was happy.

George picked up on the second ring without checking the caller id. "Hello?"

"General, this is Jack O'Neill."

George smiled, glad to hear from his old 2IC. "Jack please. I'm retired, call me George now."

"Of course. How is retirement treating you?"

"Not so bad. It has been wonderful spending so much time with my grandkids. They almost make me feel young again." George paused. "I know you Jack, and you don't do social calls. Besides, your voice sounds…off. What's going on son?"

Jack hesistated for a minute, almost regretting that he would be pulling George into this. "Actually George, I was hoping you could get me caught up on the SGC gossip. I'm feeling out of the loop here."

"I didn't know gossip was your thing Jack, but Landry has kept me fairly informed. I know that the betting pools have died down since you left."

"Really?" Probably because Sam has a new man now. "Why is that?"

George laughed at the younger man. "Well you are not around anymore! Most of the bets involved you anyways."

Jack smirked at that. He'd always been vaguely aware of the pools, but never really cared. "Well I'm sure that they'll find someone else to bet on." He cleared his throat. "So I uh heard that Carter has a new boyfriend."

"Sam?" George shook his head. Jack was fishing, and that wasn't like him. "I think that your information is a bit unreliable son. The only person who has been able to get her to do anything at all besides work is Daniel. I doubt that she's been on the surface enough to find another guy, much less have a relationship with one."

"Well, actually." Jack winced at Daniel's name. "Daniel was the one I was told was seeing Sam."

"Jack."

"George?"

"Let me get this straight. You actually believe that one of you best friends is dating the woman that we all know you have been…excuse the term…pining for?"

"I do not pine, George. This has nothing to do with me. I just haven't talked to Sam in a while, and figured I would try to validate my information."

"Son, you're sounding a little paranoid. As far as I know, not only is Sam definitely not seeing anyone, but I heard a rumor that Daniel might be working up the nerve to ask one of the nurses out."

"I see."

"Jack…I know that you aren't likely to confide anything, but let me give you a piece of advice."

"Yes?" Jack asked, not sure he wanted the advice.

"If you are so jealous about Sam seeing someone that you had to call your old boss to get information about her, than you should fly back to Colorado yourself and talk to her. Hasn't this 'thing' with you two been going on long enough.?"

"I don't know what 'thing' you are talking about George, and I'm not jealous. Thanks for the advice though."

"Anytime. You could try talking to Daniel too. Good bye Jack."

"Bye George."

Jack hung up his phone and put his head in his hands. He just didn't know what to think anymore. Why didn't it seem suspicious to anyone else that Sam and Daniel were spending so much time together. They both had other friends, didn't they? However, the idea of Daniel going after one of the nurses made a lot of sense too. Part of him felt betrayed, and part of him felt confused. He looked at the picture next to the phone of SG-1, taken a few years back and sighed. What the hell was he supposed to do now.