Disclaimer: It is really a torture having to repeat this every single chapter, but as I put up with it so far... Not me.

A/N: Hiya folks! I've live to see this. I feel so proud of myself. Chapter 17! One more and I'll be marking an anniversary... with a small surprise. Alright...alright... big surprise! Gosh... do you have to be so cruel? *wicked smile* Cause I do.

Till the end of the time

Chapter 17

"Sam, Jack is dead."

Daniel's voice choked as the last word left his lips, but he kept his eyes firm on her, even though now there was very little he could actually see through the mist of tears and his smudged glasses.

She gave him one long look, then closed her eyes. Her brows furrowed, and lips thinned into a line. After a few seconds of painful silence, she spoke.

"I know."

Small gasp escaped Janet, as she directed an enquiring look towards young woman. Daniel had a dumbstruck look on his face.

"You know?" he asked in a surprise.

She opened her eyes, and leaning her head back on the pillows, replied in almost casual tone.

"Yes, I killed him."

~~~

Soft knock interrupted Daniel from his musings. It was a very long day... with many hard conversations, with many questions, although most of them Daniel kept for himself. Sitting in his paper-littered office, he was still trying to make his peace with the fact Jack was no longer with them. Hearing the knock, he sighed and pondered for a second whether just to pretend to be asleep so that whoever it was, was going to let him be. He was in no mood for talk...

"Come in," he heard himself saying against his own will.

To his surprise Sam entered. She forced a small smile, the one that didn't really reach her eyes.

"I asked the General for permission to come and see you. After today, I think he began to doubt me," she said quietly as she approached his table. "Can I sit down?"

Daniel felt awkward. During all these years, he only heard her ask him that couple of times. She would usually just barge in, plop down on his spare chair and began talking about her new experiment or their latest mission... 'But that was Sam,' Daniel reminded himself. 'This woman here is Sam only in the appearance, but inside...'

Inside she was a stranger. He saw it in her eyes today, after she said those damned words. 'His' Sam would never speak of anyone from the team with such an obvious lack of emotion and amusement. It was as if some completely different person took over her body... as if Goa'uld...

"Of course, sorry... I am not used to you asking that..." once again he didn't know where the words came from. He was doing the talking, but his thoughts were on another matter. Daniel felt weird for having to explain every little bit of his actions to her. Usually, she would know them better then he himself.

She frowned a bit, but took the offered chair. For whiles both were quiet, each pursuing their own ponderings and worries, both suffering through the silence they posed on themselves.

"I came to ask you something," she finally said and leaned a bit over to his side. Her eyes were brightened, as by some sudden and unexpected discovery.

He simply looked at her, and shook his head. 'No more questions today. No more.'

"Can it wait? I am tired, Sam," one part of his mind was screaming at him for this coldness of act, but the other simply didn't care.

Sam smiled, very small and sad smile. She seemed to perceive the suffering of the young man, and wished to cause no further annoyance.

"I understand. I am sorry to have bothered you," she said in a small voice and headed for the door. Her hand went for the doorknob when his voice stopped her. Caring part of Daniel's mind overtook the control. This woman was Sam, even if just in body. And their Sam was somewhere in there, somewhere underneath that black ash that hid her memories, along with her personality.

"Wait, please. That was... unforgivable of me. Please, sit down and ask. I am sorry."

She turned around and gave him an inquisitive look, as if trying to figure out whether it was his real desire or simply courtesy.

"Are you sure?" Again, maybe the words were the best way to go.

"Yes... please... sit down," he pointed to the chair that she occupied only a few seconds ago.

She stood still, her eyes still resting on Daniel's face. He was tired, it was plain as a light of the day. But a flicker of determination was visible, through all that pain and worry that settled in the creases of his face. He was determined to give her what she wanted, even if it meant recalling things that were now only but the memories. After all, she had every right to know. She was a part of almost every one.

Samantha approached and knelt in front of him, then slowly took his hand in hers and pressed his fingers between her own.

"I am sorry, Daniel."

He looked at her, surprised. "You have nothing to be sorry for. We are still unsure of what happened."

She lowered her eyes, and taking a deep breath whispered, "I killed him." Her voice was full of guilt and sorrow. Maybe Sam was closer to the surface then he thought.

With the tips of his fingers he lifted her tear-streaked face, and cupped it, wiping her tears off with his thumbs. She didn't deserve the burden she had to carry. She didn't deserve being left in the dark after she sought for light... in one form or another... all her life.

"No, Sam... I don't blame you. No one blames you."

Silence in the room was disturbed by her quiet sobs. Even the air seemed to vibrate with the emotions. He pulled her up and wrapping his arms around her, whispered in her ear.

"Everything is going to be alright," he said, even thought he didn't believe it himself. Nothing will ever be the same. Nothing.

Daniel could feel her body shaking in cries, as he hugged her tighter, allowing his hands to wonder across her back, up and down, soothing her. To him, she was not Samantha anymore, not even Major Carter. She was a stranger. A stranger with whom he shared the same fate. They both lost a friend. He knew Jack was not an easy guy to forget, and that somewhere, deep in her memories, she still carried everything he was.

To the end of his life, Daniel could never explain to himself why he did what he did in that moment. Ever so gently he pushed her away, just enough to see her face, and then slowly brought his face closer to hers. Soft touch of her lips on his, and the feeling of her warmth on his body made him forget the cruel reality, even for a while. He kissed her.

By the time reality hit in, she was gone. First thing his ravaged mind noticed was the soft thump of the door of his office and somewhere in the distance, sound of her retreating steps. Daniel contemplated going after her for a second, then dismissed the option. What he did was beyond reason. Beyond friendship. Friendship he shared with her... 'And with Jack,' he thought bitterly.

As he closed his eyes, image started in his mind. Beautiful, young woman. In the beautiful, ancient world. In the forgotten time.

'I betrayed you Sha're. I betrayed Jack. And Sam. And you don't deserve it. They don't deserve it. Oh, Sha're... I am sorry. I am so sorry,' feeling broken, he slid to the floor and put his palms on the cold surface of the floor. As he leaned his head back, side of his desk prevented any further movement. For a moment, everything was quiet, and then sickening feeling in his stomach started to alarm his senses and he turned his head towards the door half expecting Sam to return.

Doorknob slid down and then back up, and the doors opened forcing bright hall lights in the half-darkened office. Military boots made their way half across his office before Daniel Jackson decided to look up and see who his visitor was.

A/N: Yes, I know, another cliffhanger. But hang on. Alright, I can assume you are wondering what kind of game am I playing... here with Danny kissing our ol' Major (wish it was me :)) but... think about it logically. Who is more better of a couple? Sam and Jack... or Sam and Danny?

I want to know what you think... of the couple thing and the story in general so ... see that button in the lower left corner? Click on it and tell me... in other words... REVIEW!