Hi guys, chapter 10 up. Hope you like it...

Chapter 10 – Too Different

Sam finished her toast quickly and picked up her plate to clear it away. As she was leaving the kitchen and heading for the stairs, Janet caught up with her.

"So Sam, what are your plans for the day?"

"Exactly what Cam suggested – shower, probably more sleep, maybe some reading, then my seminar this afternoon. Why?"

"No reason, I was just thinking maybe we could go into town or something. I have some shopping to do and I wouldn't mind some company if you're not busy." Yep, shopping was always a good reason to ask probing questions.

"You wanna gossip don't you?" Janet did double take. There's no way it can be that easy!

"What? --How did you know?"

"I saw you and Daniel this morning, there's something going on with you two." Oh that.

"Yeah, that's exactly what I wanna talk about. So how about it."

"Sure, what are you shopping for?"

SG1SG1SG1SG1SG1SG1SG1SG1SG1SG1SG1SG1

After Sam's seminar that afternoon, the two students made their way to the town centre.

Janet had been uncharacteristically quiet; thinking about how best to broach the sensitive topic. She knew Sam was a private private person, almost as private as Jack himself. Still, she could tell that Sam needed to talk to somebody about the situation and hoped that they were good enough friends for her to open up.

It hadn't escaped Sam that Janet was thinking deeply. The small woman cared for everybody, those close to her saw her undeniably maternal tendencies. Janet was a born doctor, Sam knew she would dedicate her life to helping people and be a credit to her oath. Still,Sam mused as the two women sat drinking coffee outside a cafe, people hurrying by them, who's there to care for Janet when she needs it?

"So, tell me what's going on with you and Daniel." She leaned forward and fixed her friend with a knowing stare, which Janet could not evade. She watched Janet consider what to tell her.

"Well, it's brand new. We're just in the getting to know each other stages..." Janet tugged on the string of her teabag, creating a groove in the side of her cardboard cup. She didn't usually discuss this kind of thing with people. Finally looking back up at Sam, she saw her smiling understandingly at her own shyness.

"But as more than friends, right?" Sam gently prompted. Janet nodded.

"Yeah, it was stupid really but kinda romantic..."

"You don't have to tell me Janet, it's between you and Daniel, but if you want someone to talk to , I'm here." The two shared a smile, silent for a moment until Janet broke into a torrent of dialogue that Sam wasn't really expecting her to divulge.

Janet explained how they had bumped into each other on the landing and just...kissed; deliberately omitting the part about why they had been out of bed at midnight.

"It was amazing Sam. I hope this isn't weird for you, I know you and Daniel are quite good friends..."

"No Janet, really, I'm just happy for you guys." Sam couldn't help smiling at Janet's obvious infatuation with their resident super-sweet archaeologist. If only we all had it as easy as those two.

"Well, like I said, we're just getting to know each other a little better but I just feel like..." Janet paused for a moment trying to decide hoe to describe the feeling of total security she felt with Daniel. "I feel like I can always rely on him...whatever happened, I know he'd be there for me – I can trust him with how I feel." She looked up to find Sam nodding in agreement.

"I know what you mean Janet. I don't think Daniel would ever hurt you. Unlike a lot of guys, he'd never intentionally say or do anything that would upset you." Janet heard the bitter undertone in her words even if Sam wasn't aware of it.

Sam was silent, but Janet thought about her initial reason for their little shopping trip. She took a deep breath.

"Sam, has something happened between you and Jack?" Sam's head snapped up.

"What? No! Why would you think there was something happening between us?" A couple of people at neighboring tables looked round at Sam's slightly panicked voice. Janet quickly focused on damage control.

"No, I don't mean that anythings happening. It's just that, this morning, he seemed, put out about something...more than usual I mean." Sam saw how her friend was walking on eggshells and immediately felt guilty for snapping, but she couldn't explain why she was being so defensive.

"No, I have no idea what could be wrong with him. We're not really that close. Maybe it's his workload?" She suggested, trying as best she could to sound nonchalant.

Janet almost laughed. Sam really was a terrible liar. Her comment about the two of them not being 'that close' was too good for Janet to let go. She raised her eyebrows, asking lightly:

"Really? The times I've seen you two together, you seemed to be getting on ... quite well." She sipped her herbal tea, watching Sam's reaction carefully.

Sam swallowed. "Well, you know, we don't hate each other. We can get along alright We're just not...close." Usually Sam's transparent self denial would have been a little bit funny, but Janet could see that their was real pain in the other woman's eyes. She really lost something important last night. Maybe her feelings for Jack are deeper than even I thought. I can't believe she can fool herself into believing otherwise. Because Janet was sure, from Sam's expression that she honestly didn't believe she was lying. What to say?

"Well, just keep an open mind about him Sam. I think there's the potential for you guys to..." she sighed resignedly "...to be good friends."

It was Sam's turn to be completely focused on her drink as she avoided Janet's gaze.

"I'll keep an open mind Janet but honestly, I really don't think he likes me at all. We're just too different."

Janet smiled brightly at her across the table. If only you could see how similar you two actually are.

"I don't know Sam, I think you might be surprised."

AN Sorry it's a bit short, and took some time to update. I've been struggling to decide how I was gonna continue this but I've thought about it and I'm pretty sure I know how it's going now :D

Reviews loved. Tell me what you thought.

Prometheus246