A/N: Okay so I've finally gotten around to working on this story. A big thank you goes out to Ruth who Beta'ed the ending and helped me write this! And now, on with the show.

A/N 2: So, some of you have commented on how out of character Sam and Jack's actions are, I'll be the first to admit that they are. But, one of my reviewers, daydr3am3r, hit it on the spot, especially with respect to Sam. I think her actions in this are more true than other fics where Sam gives in too easily to her feelings for Jack (that's what spawned me writing this little piece of fic). Besides, this is my story and I'll write them as I see fit !(hopefully though you can see a bit of the real character in my stylings :)

Other than that, thank you everyone for your reviews and comments - they are always appreciated!


Two months later Teal'c was finally moving off base, and that weekend he was hosting a housewarming party. All afternoon members of the SGC had been stopping by. Teal'c's closest friends Jack, Daniel, Cassie, and Sam stayed the entire afternoon.

"So where's Carlos?" Daniel asked Sam.

Sam looked down at her watch, "He had some papers to fill out at the university in Denver… he should be here soon."

In a nearby corner, Jack and Cassie were speaking. Jack had been rebuilding his relationship with Cassie all summer and it had been made easier by Sam accepting him as a friend. When Jack overheard Daniel's question his ears perked up and he intently tried to hear Sam's response. Cassie noticed his distraction and slight disappointment at her response. She carefully watched Jack as he watched Sam walk away to try and call Carlos.

"You still love her," Cassie quietly stated to Jack.

Jack, who had been watching Sam's movements across the room, quickly turned his attention back to Cassie, "Huh? … No… We're j-"

"Just friends?" she mocked him. "No, you still love her."

Jack stared at Cassie before being distracted when he noticed Sam go to the door out of the corner of his eye. He watched as a grinning Sam opened the door and gave Carlos a quick kiss hello before ushering him in.

Cassie watched Jack stare at Sam and shook her head, 'He says he doesn't love her! Ha!' She grabbed a hold of his arm and led him out to the balcony where they could speak in semi-private. When they were alone she spoke, "It's killing you to see her with him, isn't it?"

Jack looked down at his feet and didn't reply. Cassie pressed on, "Do you still love her?"

Jack looked up and back into the apartment and at that moment Sam happened to look out onto the balcony and saw him there with Cassie. She flashed him a genuinely happy smile before turning back to Carlos. He remained silent as he continued to watch her.

Cassie leaned over and whispered into his ear, "Do you love her enough to let her love someone else?" She then stepped back and began to re-enter the apartment.

Just before she stepped back inside, he whispered his response, "For now… I know it's supposed to be me though."

Cassie stopped and looked back at him and stared at him silently for a minute. She then nodded her head once before heading inside.

Jack stayed out on the balcony thinking of the past few months. He loved Sam. He could say that with absolute certainty now, unlike a year ago. He had spent a year thinking about Sam and recalling everything about her that he missed. When Sam had left he had lost his enthusiasm for work. Without her at his side there was nothing to break up the monotony or brighten his day the way one of her smiles or laughs used to.

But he knew he loved her when she gave him a second chance at being friends. Who else but a beautiful soul could forgive him after taking away her chance at happiness? And they were friends now- at least that's how she saw him. Even if she did detect that Jack wished for them to be more than friends, she never let him know. There weren't the lingering stares or occasional discomfort like before. She was a woman who was involved in a relationship and was giving it its proper attention. The tension that had existed between them before was no longer there. She was a changed woman.

When she had been with Pete there was an unresolved tension between them, but not anymore. She knew what she was involved in and she wasn't doing anything to jeopardize that. Jack was her friend, nothing more. Jack knew that that was what she had to do- she had to focus on her relationship with Carlos. But even then, she was still able to let him into her life as a friend. How could one not love a beautiful soul like that one? Jack knew that when he would have his relationship with Sam she would be that loyal to their relationship. And Jack couldn't wait for that day. But he had to show her that he could wait- that he wanted what was best for her. And if right now that meant being with Carlos then he would have to be content with their current relationship. But he could always hope… he would never lose that. And that was another confirmation of his love for her. She had restored hope in a man who had lost so much and given so much of himself.

TBC