A.N.: So the last chapter hit a pivotal step in Jack and Sam's relationship. It was the huge turning step that we all wish didn't happen but knew it had to. At some point, they would have to move on. If you love someone, you have to let them go. If it truly is your soul mate, they will find you again. Just remember that. The story is now going to start to drift away from the flashbacks and start to take on a life of its own. There will still be flashbacks because this is still taking place with the events of the SGC that we know and love, but you will start to see things that we didn't see during the television series.

...

Oh no. She was humming. It had finally happened. She had met someone new, and although she had relationships with men since they had broken up so many years ago, this guy had to be different. It didn't matter to him that his name was Pete or that he was a cop. All that mattered is that this guy had made her hum. He knew that he had to be strong for her, pretend to be happy for her. She had waited long enough. He didn't blame her. In fact, he knew that is what she needed to do. She deserved to be happy.

...

Jacob was sitting by her bed in the infirmary when he approached. He had just helped rescue her from Anubis's super soldier, and she had collapsed from the extend of her injuries. He grabbed a stool and sat down beside her father. The action didn't seem to phase Jacob one bit. It was almost as if Jacob had expected it to happen. They were alone in the infirmary.

"Jack, can I ask you a personal question, man to man?"

"Sure, Jacob. Of course you can."

"Do you have feelings for my daughter?"

The comment made him choke on the air he was breathing.

"Uh...Jacob...you do know she's seeing Pete now, right?"

"Yes, but that wasn't the question but it is the reason I'm asking it. I've seen you two work side by side in battle. I've felt the deep connection between the two of you. When Sam told me that she was seeing someone, I thought for sure her next statement was going to be that you retired. I'm not saying that this Pete character isn't good for her, I just always thought it would be you. So, do you care to tell me why I would think that?"

He felt a wave of defeat pass over him. Jacob Carter was too smart of a match for him.

"I'm surprised that you don't know. I mean, I knew that at the time, Carter and you didn't have a very close relationship, but I thought you would have known..."

"Jack, what in blazes are you talking about?"

"You do know that over seven years ago, your daughter was about to get married, right? And she called it off for personal reasons?"

He knew that Jacob was beginning to understand. Flashbacks started to flood Jacob's mind to the day he found out his only daughter was going to be getting married. She had still been so mad at him.

"Honey, all I want to know is if he's going to be good enough for you."

"Of course he is, Dad. I don't know why you always have to question my decisions."

"Well, I'm sorry, but you haven't told me the least thing about him, and then you come out of the blue and tell me that you are marrying him. What am I supposed to think?"

"All you need to know is that he makes me happy. Frankly, the decision doesn't even concern you. I was just being courteous by calling. If you really must know, though, his name is Jack. He's a Colonel in the air force."

It all made sense now.

"Oh, Jack. I'm sorry. I didn't know."

"We called off the wedding when we realized that we were needed here. I became her commanding officer, and a personal relationship just wasn't allowed."

"What am I going to say now when she asks what I think of her dating Pete?"

"Tell her what she needs to hear...that its wonderful and about time. She needs this relationship, Jacob. She needs to have someone who can make her happy in ways I haven't been able to. She deserves someone to come home to at night."

"Do you still love her?"

"Always. I will always love her."

They sat there for a few minutes in silence. There wasn't really anything left to say, and as much as he wanted to be there when she awoke, he knew that was something Jacob needed to do this time. He gave her one last look of longing, patted Jacob on the back, and walked away.

He knew that the relationship between Carter and Pete must only have gotten stronger, but the truth is, he didn't want to know the details. He was happy for her, but he still mourned for himself. He had no way of knowing that she secretly felt the same way about him still.

She awoke a couple of minutes later. Although she was as happy as ever to see her father alive and well, her heart couldn't help but ache. This was the first time that she could remember where Jack was not there beside her when she came back to consciousness.