A/N: Thanks so much to everyone who reviewed. Good to know theres someone reading this. Heres the next part, let me know what you think and excuse any mistakes!

Chapter 7

"So I'm guessing you haven't said anything to Sam yet? Bout your condition?" Jack asked Jacob as they headed down a long corridor back towards the main area where the 'shindig' was happening.

Jacob grimaced, "No, I haven't said. Not sure I want to tell Sam, days before her wedding, that her old man is dying. Doesn't really fit with the tone of the big day, does it!"

"Dad?"

Jack winced as he heard the voice from behind Jacob. He saw Jacobs eyes widen and then close briefly before he turned round to face his daughter. Sam's brow was creased in confusion. Her bright blue eyes wide and questioning. "You're dying? I, I don't understand."

"Aw, Sammie. I…" Jacob sighed deeply. "Let's take a walk eh?" Jacob put an arm around his daughters' shoulders and guided her back in the direction he had just come from.

Jack watched them walk away, his heart aching for Sam. Life could be so cruel sometimes. He gazed after them a couple of moments before turning round towards the main room. He stopped as he reached the door and looked back over his shoulder. Carter looked like she was crying as she was pulled into an embrace by her dad. Jack sighed and looked down. Sometimes life just sucked.

Jack sat down at the quiet hotel bar and ordered a glass of whisky. He had stayed at the function for another hour before making his escape. Jacob had appeared briefly only to say he was taking his daughter back to the hotel. Jack asked if she was ok and Jacob answered that she just didn't feel up to being sociable right now. Jack watched Jacob walk away wishing there was something he could do to help. Wishing he could comfort Carter in some way.

The barman placed his drink in front of him and Jack picked it up and stared into the glass.

"Penny for your thoughts?" a voice to his right asked.

Jack turned and looked at the woman. He smiled slightly before downing his drink and saying, "Make it another one of these and you got a deal."

She smiled back although he noticed that it didn't reach her eyes. She indicated their empty glasses to the barman who refilled them both.

"Never took you for a whisky drinker Carter." Jack picked up their glasses and moved them over to a table by the window.

"I'm not really." Sam sat down opposite him.

"You been in here since you got back? Where's dad?"

"He's upstairs asleep. Don't worry sir, I'm not planning on drinking myself into oblivion, just didn't feel like sitting around in the room." She gave Jack a wry smile as she sipped her drink.

"How you doin Carter?" Jack asked, watching her study her drink.

"I'm ok, sir, Jack. Better than I expected. I had so much more time with him than I ever thought I'd get last time he told me he was ill. We're a lot closer now. I'm grateful for that."

"And he'll be here to walk you down the isle." Jack added.

Sam looked up, making eye contact with him. She saw an intensity in those eyes like she had never seen before. It made her stomach flip flop. She ducked her head feeling suddenly nervous, although she had no idea why. "Eh, yeah, I guess."

She turned her gaze toward the window wondering when things had changed between her and the general. Was it before or after Pete? Did things even change at all? Or had they just kept these feelings so deeply buried that they began to forget just how strong they were? It was moments like this that they seemed to come closer to the surface. Like they were reminding Sam that they were still there, but then disappearing deep inside again a moment later, leaving Sam wondering if she'd felt them at all.

Jack noticed the distant look appear in Sams eyes. "Sam, are you happy with Pete?"

The question was out his mouth before his brain even realised he was going to ask it. From the look on Sams face she had been expecting it even less.

"I… Uh, I…You sound like dad." Sam leaned forward and placed her head in her hands.

"Sorry, Carter, I, I didn't mean to pry. I just… Are you? Are you happy with him?"

Sam looked up at him, her eyes bright and intense. She looked away, downed her drink and then stood up. "I'm sorry sir, I can't do this, I can't do this right now." And with that she walked away leaving Jack slightly stunned, slightly confused and a lot kicking himself.