Author's Note: I know I am on a hiatus until the end of September but I've noticed a few of my friends and fellow fandom lovers having a difficult week, so I hope this brightens up someone's day and can let you forget about your worries and stresses for a few minutes. Remember, if you are finding things tough right now, please reach out to someone – even if it is just to say hello.

Written for 'Another Look Unlimited Day' (7 September), a day "to look again at the items you own and – if you need to clear out – decide whether to donate to charity, give to friends, or recycle in another way".

Alternate reality; set shortly after the events of the season 2 opener, The Serpent's Lair.

"It was a good idea you had, Jack."

Jack rolls his eyes as he picks up the remaining cardboard box and heads out of the garage.

"For the last time, Daniel. It wasn't my idea."

"On the contrary, O'Neill." Jack glances over his shoulder to Teal'c. "Did you not in fact suggest that a yard sale would be a most beneficial opportunity for Stargate Command to accumulate additional assets for its operations?"

"It was a joke, Teal'c."

"General Hammond inferred otherwise."

Jack momentarily stops to glare at the Jaffa but knows there is no point in arguing. Instead, he spots their other teammate at one of the tables that has magically appeared on the front yard and approaches them.

"This is the last one," Jack says. "Apparently it's more of the kids' toys."

With a smile, Mark Carter takes the box from his commanding officer and sets it onto the front yard. "Thanks, Jack."

The two of them work together to place some of the items onto the table but its only when Daniel starts to explain to Teal'c about the history and possible anthropological significance of yard sales that the two Air Force officers share a long-suffering look before they edge away from their teammates and the conversation.

"You know," Mark says a moment later as he looks around at the people gathered around his house and front yard, "as happy as I am to finally clear out some of my kids' toys, it's quite a fall to go from saving the planet last weekend to being responsible for a yard sale this weekend."

Jack smirks at the comment. "How'd you end up hosting this thing anyway?"

"I don't know, but I'd guess the marines had something to do with it," he quips.

A comfortable silence settles between the two when the younger man's amusement fades.

"Thanks for offering to help, Jack. I – well, with all due respect, sir, I was surprised to see you here today."

Jack winces, then shrugs. If he was honest, he was so close to not making an appearance even with General Hammond issuing him a thinly-veiled threat. He'll be the first to admit that he doesn't particularly care for the yard sale but it's not because he doesn't want to support his team or the SGC. Rather, he's still getting used to the fact that he has people in his life again – and people who want to be in his life – but they are mostly colleagues, aside from Daniel, Teal'c and Mark, whom he's come to see as friends. But they aren't his family in the sense of what he had before and it's at times like this, when he's around kids or other families, that the loss of his son and subsequent breakdown of his marriage is still raw.

Lately, the pain hasn't hurt as much for which Jack is grateful and there's even been the odd time when he's been able to forget his grief and guilt and self-inflicted torture for a while. He'll never, ever forget Charlie – nor will he ever forgive himself for his death – but for Jack, he knows that he also wouldn't be standing here now if it hadn't been for that day because it had ultimately led him to the Stargate. And going through the gate, being recalled to active duty, and leading a team across the galaxy every week has been a life-line for Jack. It's as if the universe, despite everything, has offered him a second chance to put things right and – for his son's sake – he doesn't intend to take the opportunity for granted.

He pulls himself from his thoughts. "Hey," he finally says, "we're a team."

"Huh, I thought it might have been the promise of free steak and beer later."

"Well," Jack smirks, glad that his second-in-command isn't pressing the issue, "that helped."

Mark chuckles before he points towards a longer table running parallel to the side of his house full of food and drinks.

"Help yourself. I'll give you a shout when I'm firing up the grill."

Jack frowns. "I didn't agree to cook."

"That's true," he says, "but I'll need a hand – and it's either you or Siler."

"Yeah, OK," he agrees quickly.

With those final parting words, Jack finds himself standing alone in the yard. There's an excitable feel in the air and as he glances around at the various officers and members of staff who've all turned out to sell some of the crap from their own houses, he knows that they are also still on a high from defeating Apophis and saving Earth and so this impromptu get-together at Mark Carter's house is – while under the weird guise of a yard sale – actually a way for them to celebrate and let off a little steam.

With a smile, he decides to put in some time before he grabs his first beer of the day and makes his way around the sale. Aside from a Homer Simpson bobblehead figure, he doesn't see anything of interest but then he stops at a table and can't resist picking up one of the hockey sticks that rests against the edge. He passes it from hand to hand, before he smiles to himself, and carefully sets it back. He's about to move on when a stack of National Geographics catches his eye, so he crouches to get a better look and starts to flick through the copy that sits on the top of the pile.

"There's more if you're interested."

He looks up at the sound of a woman's voice and as he gets to his feet, he just manages to stop himself from coming across as a creep and saying he's definitely interested when he realizes she could be talking purely about the magazines. Yet he can't stop his thoughts from straying because standing at the other side of the table is one of the most beautiful women Jack O'Neill has ever seen. She's tall with blonde hair falling loosely to her shoulders, bright blue eyes, and her lips are quirked into an amused smile. He can't help but grin in response.

"How many more are we talking?"

The woman looks as if she already knows she's secured the sale and gestures to a large plastic storage box beside her. Jack's eyes widen in surprise at the sheer volume of magazines and even though he already has a Nat Geo subscription, he has a feeling that he's going to end up buying this lot too. He wonders where he's going to store them when she speaks again.

"I could do you a great deal."

This time, Jack takes a step closer to the table but he realizes that he needs to know a couple of things before he starts to engage her in conversation. Namely, who she is – and if she is single. He knows most of the people currently milling around Mark Carter's yard belong to the SGC but a few of the personnel have brought their spouses along and even though the woman standing before him is stunning and he sees no sign of a wedding ring, the last thing he wants to do is start flirting with one of his colleagues' partners – even if she appears to be flirting with him, Jack is not that kind of man. He tries to pinpoint other signs as to her status but doesn't get very far.

"How good are we –"

"Jack?"

He turns his head slightly at the interruption, biting back a sigh as Daniel and Teal'c arrive, and he glances at the mystery woman just in time to see her gaze dart between them curiously. He's too busy staring, however, he misses how his friend managed to engage her in conversation and Jack still has no idea who she is until he hears Daniel say "it's great to finally meet you".

Jack pins him with a look silently asking what is going on when Mark appears.

"I see you've met my sister," he says.

"Your sister?" Jack questions, while she turns to her brother and smiles.

"We were just getting to the introductions."

Mark narrows his eyes. "I hope you're behaving yourself."

Jack, oddly, finds himself on the verge of responding when his mystery saleswoman speaks first.

"Don't I always?"

Mark gives her a look, muttering something that sounds suspiciously like "whatever" before he gestures to each of the men. "This is Colonel Jack O'Neill – my commanding officer – and these are the other members of our team, Daniel and… Te– T," he amends. "Guys, this is my sister, Samantha."

There's a moment of silence as they let the introductions sink in before Daniel speaks up. "So, uh, how are you finding Colorado Springs?"

"I've only been here for two days," she laughs softly, "and most of that time has been spent at the mercy of my niece and nephew. Today, I'm at Mark's mercy."

"Ha ha," he replies, before he turns to his team. "Sam offered to help. Just don't enter negotiations with her – you'll end up with more than you bargained for."

She rolls her eyes, while Daniel chuckles along with Mark, Teal'c looks slightly amused and Jack just feels confused.

"Anyway," Mark continues, "Jack, I'm going to fire up the grill. I've already had to fend off Siler's offer to help."

"Yeah, I'll be right there," he smiles, his gaze drifting back to Sam.

"So," they both say a moment later as Mark heads for the house, and Jack gestures for Sam to continue.

"You're Mark's commanding officer."

"You're Mark's sister."

"Yeah," she nods, her gaze falling. A beat passes before she asks, "Are you still interested?"

His eyebrows shoot up at her question and Sam smirks before gesturing towards the stack of National Geographics.

"Oh! Oh. Uh –"

Her smirk widens as he stumbles over his answer but then he catches the mischievous glint in her eye. It sparks something to life inside of him and he momentarily forgets Daniel and Teal'c are still there as he picks up the hockey stick from earlier and leans an elbow on the tip of the handle as he answers her question.

"Let's say I am," he hedges. "Think we could come to some kind of deal?"

"I think that could be arranged."

"There's just one thing," he says nonchalantly.

"What's that?"

He leans in closer, using the hockey stick for leverage. "I was advised not to negotiate."

"Then you'd better make me an offer I can't refuse."

"I see. Perhaps I should consult with Mark."

"What my brother doesn't know won't hurt him."

"Are we still talking about the magazines?"

Sam lifts a shoulder in a half shrug. "It depends."

Jack leans infinitesimally closer and lowers his voice. "On what?"

"How good your offer is."

He studies her for a moment, then grins.

"You know, we're just going to…" Daniel trails off as he hooks a thumb over his shoulder. He glances between Sam and Jack as he takes a step back, then turns to Sam and smiles, "it was really nice to meet you Sam – perhaps we can talk more later."

Tearing her gaze away, she nods. "I'd like that."

They watch Daniel and Teal'c leave and when they are alone, Jack rocks back on his heels. "So, Samantha –"

"I tend to go by Sam, mostly."

"I quite like Samantha," he admits. When he sees a blush creep along her neck, he can't help himself. "Samantha Carter," he murmurs, testing the way her name rolls off his tongue and he reaches out to shake her hand, "it's nice to meet you."

"Likewise," she smiles.

"How long are you in town?"

"I'm only staying for the summer," she says, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, "but I'm hoping to make it a permanent move."

Jack can't quite hide his surprise. "Yeah?"

"Yeah. I mean, I know I only arrived a couple of days ago and I've yet to really explore the area, but… I like it here."

"Well," he says, "if you'd like a guided tour…"

"Are you offering to show me the sights of Colorado Springs, Jack?"

"It depends," he shrugs, mirroring her earlier words.

"Oh what?"

"On whether it sweetens the deal."

Sam chuckles lightly. "I think it might."

With a nod, Jack turns his head and sees Mark at the grill, his attention half on the food and half on him and Samantha, and he realizes that he is on the verge of arranging a date with his teammate's sister. He knows he'll need to have a chat with Mark later, but for now, he decides to risk it and turns back to Sam.

"How about we discuss the details later over a beer?"

She glances in the direction of her brother, then smiles as she reaches out to shake Jack's hand once again. "You've got yourself a deal, Jack."