Takes place mainly during 'Threads'. Her father, Jacob's last act of love for Sam is to make sure she ends up with the man she loves. The one man who has loved her in secret for years. Jack. Will a dying man's last words of wisdom fall on def ears or be taken to heart? Jack/Sam

I do not own SG-1. I make no profit off of this or any other fanfics. That said, please note that some rather iconic scenes and dialogue from the end of season 8 and the beginning of season 9 have been taken directly from the show.

Happy reading!

Jack watched as Sam ran back towards her car parked in his driveway, she was clearly upset. Either about finding him with another woman, or because of the phone call she had just received. He wasn't entirely sure, probably both, yeah, both. Whatever had happened to Jacob was obviously serious if they had called her on her day off. The whole situation had been awkward as hell. He wished he would have handled it better. Suddenly he felt a surge of desire to just drop everything and go with her. Instead he just turned to the pretty woman beside him, trying to assess the situation he found himself in. She didn't deserve to be in the middle of all this; whatever this was.

"Kerry, I huh, I should probably-"

"Do you need to go?" she asked calmly. It was one of the things that had attracted him to her, she was a very calm, level headed sort of person, and just happened to look fantastic in parado.

He sighed and shook his head putting down his beer "Kerry, I'm sorry"

"Ok Jack, slow down a second. We don't even know what happened yet. I know she's your friend, I get that. Look, lunch is already overdone, why don't we at least eat and then you can head over to the SGC after?"

He fiddled with the barbecue fork with the charred meat still stuck to the end of it. It really didn't look all that appetizing anymore and yet, he couldn't just run off and leave Kerry there all alone. "Yeah, I guess you're right" he agreed even though the voice inside his head was screaming at him to go after Sam.

As they attempted to salvage the rest of their lunch date, Jack's mind kept drifting to Sam. Specifically what she had said, what she hadn't said, and what he hoped she would. All these years he'd dreamed she would come to him and make the first move and she comes now? Her timing was really awful! he thought.

"Earth to Jack!" Jack looked up to see Kerry looking at him expectantly.

"Humm?"

"Are you alright?"

"Oh yeah, sure I'm fine" he sat up straighter in his seat and took half a swig of beer.

"Liar" her tone was light but she smiled sadly, "You really do need to go huh?"

"I'm really sorry Kerry but, Carter…Eh, Jacob is a friend too."

Kerry nodded, her eyes held just a little too much understanding. Damn he hated to do this to her. He swallowed "Besides that, it's my command, I really should know what's going on." He stood up and started clearing the table.

"Jack, if it's that important then let me clean up. I have to stop by the SGC to finish up some paperwork I've been putting off anyway. I'll lock up here and check in with you sometime this evening before I head home for the night, alright?"

Jack gave her a curt nod "Thanks Kerry, I appreciate it.'' Then a quick peck on the cheek that was much different from the passion filled kisses and simi-long goodbyes they had shared over the last few weeks. Or even this afternoon for that matter. Yes, something was definitely wrong, and not just with Carter's dad.

After checking in and making himself presentable, Jack made his way to the infirmary where he knew he would find Sam and her dad. He had already asked the attending Doctor for a status update on Jacob's condition so as he would not be blindsided when he entered the room. The news had made his stomach turn.

The door was open when he got there. Jacob was resting quietly, sound asleep. While Sam slowly paced the floor. Unsurprisingly she was still dressed in the same outfit she had been wearing when she had come over to his house. She had always looked nice in blue, he thought. God, he had been such an ass. "State of affairs"? Really Jack? If only Kerry hadn't been there, then maybe they could have had a real conversation, He thought to himself. Kerry was great, sexy, smart, professional, great sense of humor, and that smile. Yet as much as he had enjoyed Kerry's company he would gladly let her go. Just so long as he knew for sure that Sam wanted him as much as he wanted her and that there was even a slight hope they could ever actually be together.

He had never really thought much of Pete but figured, "Hey, if Mr. Potato-Head makes her happy then so be it" and had tried to move on with his life. He tried to act like he was happy for her. After all, he only ever wanted her to be happy. Even he thought of her being happy with someone else was slowly turning him into a bitter old man but it was a small price to pay for her happiness. The truth was that he had never been able to justify taking any of the actions necessary for them to be together. He couldn't ask her to leave the Air Force, that not only would kill her career but very possibly everyone else on earth. He hated the idea of her ever resenting him if he allowed that to happen.

The last time he had talked to Hammond about retirement he had made it clear that it was out of the question. He had screwed up in reverse, he had somehow made himself indispensable. And so he sat, heart locked in a box trying to pretend it wasn't. Miserable without her.

Then again, who said he had to be miserable anyway? It was only after Sam had told him she actually accepted Pete's proposal that he had even thought about dating. It was only fair that he should try finding a little happiness for himself wasn't it? Damn, he was an idiot then too wasn't he? She had practically begged him to give her a reason to tell Pete "no" and he just stood there with his foot in his mouth. Always the good little soldier, Jack. Where the hell had that got him? Command of the SGC and not court martialed, that's what; but he sure as hell hadn't got the girl. What was the point of playing the hero all the time if he couldn't even get the girl? The girl that had pulled his ass out of the fire more times than he could count and had done a pretty spectacular job of playing hero herself on more than a few occasions. Damn he loved her for that.

Sam had a list of qualities he loved that could fill a book. The tiny masochistic part of him even loved when she would drive him crazy with her tekno-bable.

He watched as that same amazing woman slowly paced the floor, head down, shoulders drooping uncharacteristically. Pain shot through him seeing the woman he admired so much looking so- forlorn.

Jack knocked lightly on the doorframe "Hey there, Carter, mind if I come in?" his voice had been soft but he would have thought a bomb had gone off by Sam's reaction. Her head whipped up and she had a look of pure shock mixed with a myriad of other emotions Jack wasn't entirely certain he was qualified to decipher. "Sir! What are you doing here?"

He might have laughed if the situation hadn't been so serious "Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you" he said gently as he entered the room "I just wanted to check in and see how your dad was doing. That's ok, isn't it, Colonel?" He asked, raising his eyebrows.

"I, eh, yeah, yes General, of course it is. It's just, I thought, I just didn't expect you to leave…"

He really didn't want her to finish that sentence "How's he doing Carter?" he cut her off as he walked over to sit next to Jacob's bed.

Sam closed her eyes and took a breath to collect herself. "Selmak is dying, Dad says he's going to die with him."

Jack nodded, that much he had already heard from the Doctor "Isn't there anything they can do? The Tok'ra maybe?"

Sam shook her head, "I'm not sure, Sir. I've been running through possible solutions in my head, but I haven't had a chance to talk to him about them. I was going to bring it up when he woke up but the wait is killing me." Jack stepped up to her as he laid a hand on her shoulder and pulled her close to him. Close but not too close, he was remembering the loss of his own father. That had been a difficult time but at least Sara had been with him and that had made all the difference in the world.

"Sam" he murmured and regretted using her name when he heard the breath catch in her throat. Distance, O'Neill, distance.

"Carter" he corrected himself and felt her relax a bit "Look, why don't you go. Change out of your civvies, get something to eat, get a coffee, stretch your legs, whatever you need to do. I want you to take a break. I'll stay with him, he won't be alone and I'll call for you at the first sign of trouble. Ok?"

Sam started to protest, shaking her head "Carter, please. I'm asking you as your friend, to take a break. I'd rather not have to make it an order as your CO".

"Understood" she took her father's hand patting it gently, "I'll be back, Daddy" she murmured.

She couldn't have been gone more than three minutes before Jacob started to stir "Sam?" he rasped.

"Hey there Jake"

"Jack? Where's Sam?"

"I sent her out for some fresh air and a bite to eat."

He shook his head, "She wont you know."

"Yeah, but hopefully she'll at least try. How are you feeling?"

"Selmak and I are dying Jack, how do you think I'm feeling?"

"For what it's worth-"

"Don't go getting all mushy on me now Jack"

"Hey, no mush, I'm being honest. You've been a good friend and ally. I consider it an honor and a privilege to work with you and the amazing woman you fathered. See no mush."

Jacob eyed him critically "Damn, I really am dying aren't I? We both know that for you that's pretty damn mushy" he choked out a laugh that turned into a cough.

Jack grabbed for the glass of water sitting nearby and helped Jacob into a more comfortable position to drink.

"Come on now, Sam will kill me if you die on my watch, you wouldn't want a double funeral now would you?" he teased.

"Has anyone ever told you that your bedside manner stinks?" It was Jack's turn to laugh.

Jacob turned serious again "Jack, you mind if I ask you something?"

"Eh sure, I guess" he said sitting back onto the stool next to the bed.

"When are you--" He stopped himself "What do you think about this 'Pete' guy?"

Shit, "I don't really know him. He seems like a decent guy".

"Oh cut the crap Jack, I'm dying here."

"You really want my honest opinion?"

"Please"

"And you won't say anything to Sam?"

"Like we never had this conversation"

Jack took a deep breath and nodded once "He's a nice guy, but..."

"But?"

"Damn it Jake, the guy is a potato, and I know I'm out of line here but, Sam…"

"Sam what?" Jacob tested.

"Well you know, she's your daughter. If he's a potato then, then Sam is a freaking diamond. I just mean…"

"I agree"

"I, you what?"

"I agree"

"You do?"

"Well of course she's precious to me she's my little girl. I just met Pete and I already think of him as 'Spud-nik'''

"Mr. Potato-Head"

Jacob nearly choked on another laugh, "Ow Jack, it hurts to laugh"

"I'm sorry" he grinned sadly.

Both men sat in silence for a number of seconds before Jacob broke the quiet, "I just want my little girl to be happy, Jack. Is that too much to ask?"

"No. But it's her choice, whether it's the right one or not, it's her life, her choice. Not yours and sure as hell not mine" he spat out the last words like poison, suddenly wishing he had a beer, or maybe something a little stronger than a beer.

Jacob set Jack with one of his patinated sole-piercing gazes "I think you and I both know that it isn't quite as simple as that, Jack".

"I, what are you talking about?" his throat was suddenly dry.

"Do you really think Sam would chose a potato if she thought she could have the blue Jell-o instead?"

He was not having this conversation "I really shouldn't have said anything. And you know, potatoes aren't that bad depending on how they are cooked. I mean, sometimes french fries can really hit the spot".

"Look, if you want to be flippant and pretend you don't know what I'm talking about, fine. All I know is it seems to me like Sam is having some serious doubts about good ol' Spud-nik and I've got a pretty good hunch that you have something to do with it"

"What? Me? I… no, Jake, come on… you know that I, that Carter and I-"

"Are complete professionals and you would never do anything to jeopardize either one of your careers, yes I know. Which makes you good as gold in my book. But, I also know that you can't go on living your lives lying to yourselves"

"Sure you can if the alternative is court martial or worse"

He shook his head and sighed "I know my girl. She loves you Jack, and from what Fraya has said, you love her too. Or at least you did a few years ago, personally I think you still do."

"Filthy, slimy, good for nothing… damn it! She had no right to say anything to anyone about that!"

"Calm down Jack, it wasn't like it was water cooler gossip. She just said something a few years ago about you turning her down. Knowing you as I do, that didn't surprise me. Then during an unrelated conversation, she mentioned the difficulty in determining zatark test results. She gave an example of two "test subjects" that sounded an awful lot like you and Sam. I sort of put things together from there. So don't be so hard on the girl."

Jack was still pissed, but he really couldn't stay mad when Jacob had simply done the math. "So how long have you known?" He asked quietly.

"Heck I first suspected the day I met you."

"What?"

"I kinda thought there was potential for something there anyway" he shrugged a shoulder weakly. "Look Jack, I wasn't going to mention it but maybe I should…"

He paused long enough to wonder if he was actually going to continue. "Mention what, exactly?"

"Just before I collapsed I had been on the phone with George. He and I go way back you know. He's talking about retirement. In fact he was getting ready for a meeting to discuss his replacement as we were talking. He's already made his mind up on who he wants to replace him in Washington but wanted my take on who might be a good replacement for you" He paused again taking a shaky breath "Now I've been out of the loop in Washington for quite a while of course but I gave him a couple names of some good men I think might be up to the job. He knows the one guy I mentioned, so I'm hoping they will go with him. He's a bit of a bird nut but he's a good guy. The SGC would be in good hands with him. Washington could open up a number of new doors for you, you know."

Jack took a moment to let his words sink in. He would no longer be Sam's CO for starters, but Technically he would still be in the same chain of command. But Washington? The very thought made his head hurt. "Washington?" he asked numbly.

"I know it doesn't fix everything but at least give it some consideration, alright?" Jacob rested his head back on his pillow clearly exhausted from the lengthy conversation. "Whatever you decide, please just make sure she knows how you feel. She deserves to know what her options are before she makes a final decision. I just want what's best for my girl."

"Even if that means blue Jell-o?"

"Especially the blue Jell-o, she's always loved that stuff. Just promise me you'll tell her how you feel."

Jack looked down at his hands and backup at Jacob "Jake, I don't think I can do that to her. I can't give her the life she deserves."

"Just tell my girl how you feel. She doesn't deserve to settle for anything she doesn't really want and we both know that's what she's doing. As far as your careers go, you two have been in this long enough. It's time to work out a solution. That's what you two do best isn't it?"

"Yeah well I can't really use C4 and duct tape to fix this mess now can I?"

"Is that really how you see yourself Jack?" That gave him pause.

"I don't deserve her Jake"

"No one does" He rasped "But if there is a man alive that has proven he deserves a chance to make her happy, it's you."

"Alright, fine, I'll talk to her."

"Just tell her" Jacob was growing weak.

"Rest, Jacob. Sam will be back soon. I told her I'd stay with you until she got back. I'll think about what you said alright? I will talk to her."

Jacob nodded weakly, "You're a good man Jack. Thank you. I mean it. A diamond deserves to be set in gold." With that Jacob closed his eyes and soon fell back asleep.

Jack sat there until Sam returned. She was wearing BDU pants, a black shirt and carrying two cups of hot coffee. She handed one of the cups to him without meeting his eyes. "Everything ok while I was gone, Sir?"

"Just fine, Carter" he took a sip of the hot coffee, just the way he liked it.

"Did he wake up at all?"

"Ehh, yeah, for a bit. He's only been sleeping for about ten minutes or so now"

Sam nodded. She looked tired and yet there was a determination in the set of her jaw. "Sir" she started "About earlier, I mean, before-"

"Not now, Carter" he cut her off and his voice came out more forceful than he had meant it to.

She swallowed once and stood up a little straighter, "Of course, Sir. I'm sorry, I was out of line."

He took and breath and tried to slow his heart "Carter"

"You don't have to say anything, Sir. I understand completely, I shouldn't have brought it up, I'm sorry."

"Carter! Would you knock it off?" For the first time she looked him in the eye. "First of all, Samantha," his voice was very low, but not quite a whisper, "Yes I do. Secondly, No, you really, really don't. And third, yes you most certainly should have. In fact I'd go as far as to say that it's about damn time ya did. We need to have a very long talk indeed, but for crying out loud, Carter! Not Here, Not Now!" he said, gesturing to the room in general and then to the dying man laying in the bed next to them. Jack hadn't raised his voice an octave.

Sam looked between the two men for a moment then went to take her father's hand in her own, turning with her back towards Jack. She didn't look back to him when she uttered "Yes, of course, Sir".

It was barely a whisper but Jack heard her loud and clear. He took an uncertain step towards her putting his hands gently on her shoulders leaning into her slightly but still maintaining distance "We will talk, Carter. I promise we will, but for now, lets just get through this. One step at a time like we always do, alright?" With that he released her shoulders and made his way back to his office.

He sat at his desk for what felt like hours. Considering that Walter had already been in a couple of times to let him know members of the Tok'ra were coming to say their farewells to Jacob and Selmak he figured it probably had been at least that long. He really had tried to get some work done but it was a lost cause. Between the Tok'ra coming and going and his mind drifting back and forth between Carter and her dad, Kerry and Pete, retirement and Washington... Damn he really didn't need all of this right now. He had enough on his plate already with the paperwork strewn all over his desk and Daniel still missing. He really didn't have time to be thinking about his love life. And yet here he was.

Contemplating the woman he'd been afraid to love for the past eight years. Eight years? Had it really been that long? And Kerry, the woman whom he had allowed to partially fill the void. They hadn't really been dating that long, only a couple of weeks but things had been good. Really good in fact. They had taken things slow but had just been getting to the good stuff. He suddenly felt a pang of guilt. Like he had somehow been unfaithful to Sam, which was ridiculous. If anything he should feel guilty for even thinking about Sam when he was still with Kerry. He liked her a lot. He made him feel something he hadn't felt in years. Partly because he could actually act on his desires with her, the way he couldn't with Sam. Even so, she was nothing compared to the few fantasies of one Samantha Carter he'd allowed himself to indulge in over the last few years. Granted at this point he wasn't sure if the real Samantha Carter herself would compare to the fantasies either.

That was one of the many reasons he had never let things get any further. Fear. When it came to a mission or protecting someone he cared for he'd risk bodily harm any day. But his heart was another story altogether. He hadn't always been like that, just after Charlie, after Sara. But Sam, she had often left him wondering if he could find love again.

Then there was Mr.Potato-Head. And there was what Jacob had said about choosing between a potato and blue Jell-o. After thinking about it he could vividly remember seeing Sam with the bright blue stuff on several occasions and remembered her saying something about how much she loved it. Damn Jacob and his insightfulness.

He knew they would have to talk, he had meant it when he said they would. He just didn't know what the hell he was going to say to her. He also needed to talk to Kerry. Hell what was he going to say to her? "Sorry Kerry, but this woman I've been in love with for years is having second thoughts about her upcoming wedding and she MIGHT be interested in trying to pursue a relationship with me if we can figure out a way around regulations." Oh yeah, sure, that would go over really well. He really sucked at this sort of thing.

Just then there was a soft knock at his door and none other than Kerry sidled in wearing a top he felt sure she picked out just for him. He pretended not to notice and was more than a little surprised when the first thing out of her mouth was to inquire after Sam's dad. Then she closed the door.

As much as he liked her he knew she was right, he wasn't about to fight her. Especially since she was doing his dirty work for him. He simply let her have her say, responding appropriately to move things along. It wasn't fair to her, she really deserved someone who could freely give his heart to her, today had proven to both of them that he couldn't be that man for her. What had surprised him was her calm when she asked him if regulations were really all that lay between him and Sam. Her advice of course had been to retire.

It wasn't a bad idea of course but he just wasn't sure if he was ready for that yet. Washington didn't seem much better. Maybe after he had a chance to talk to Carter he could better make a decision. Heck, officially, he hadn't even known about Hammond wanting to retire, yet alone been offered his position. There was still the possibility that Washington wasn't really an option. The Joint Chiefs could just as easily appoint someone else and then retirement would be his only option if he wanted to be with Sam. Retirement might not be so bad. Perhaps this would be easier than he could have hoped for.