Jack was a little surprised when Teal'c and Daniel returned to Andarna's. They were, Daniel probably more so, as equally surprised to find the Colonel clothed. Apparently one or two incidents could give a guy a reputation.

"I'm glad I'm not interrupting anything." Daniel breathed a sigh of relief, as he sat down at the table, now cleared of their evening meal.

Jack was a little perturbed by the comment. It was no one else's business if he chose to get involved with someone. They had no right to judge him. No, he wasn't going to get involved with her, but it was the principal of the matter.

"What do you want, Danny?"

"I want to know what's going on?"

"What's going on…?" He repeated, his tone raised in a questioning manner. "What do you think is going on?"

"What do I think is going on? What do I… I think you're being an ass, Jack. I think that you're just annoyed because Sam hasn't been laughing at all your lame jokes recently. I think that you deserve the way that she's treating you after all the crap you've put her through."

"Daniel." O'Neill's voice carried a warning.

"No Jack. Don't 'Daniel' me. For the last six years, Sam has been nothing but professional. Even after you ignored what it took her to get you back from Edora." He saw Jack wince at that, but carried on regardless. "After you did your undercover stunt. And let's not forget Kynthia. The sexist comment you made on the Archeopteran home world and your behaviour tonight were the last straw. Jesus Jack, you really know how hurt her, don't you! For God's sake, she's in the teepee crying her eyes out -" Daniel stopped abruptly, his eyes widening as he realized what he had just said. Sam would be mortified.

Jack's eyes also widened, but in disbelief. He could not recall a time where he had seen her cry. Sure he'd seen her shed a tear or two, but nothing like what Daniel described.

"What are you talking about? Carter doesn't cry." He really didn't want to believe it. He didn't want to hear any of the things that Daniel had told him tonight but it was time to face reality. Years of stretching the boundaries of his relationship, with his 2IC, and kicking it around had taken its toll. The seems were on their last tether and it was in danger of falling apart.

More to come...