Was now the right time to say something? Here he sat with Samantha Carter having basically heard her describe the very same dream he had had just a few days earlier.
"Carter do you understand what you are saying? he replied mentally kicking himself for his 'military' style tone
"Yes, and I am prepared to take full responsibility for the consequences of my actions"
"There will be no going back"
"I understand that"
"Be sure Carter. Alex needs you no matter what the outcome"
"She also needs a father"
"And I'm the safe bet?
"No...no not at all...Sir you are the last person I'd expect, you would never take advantage"
"Then why?"
"I don't know, I guess...deep down I have this since of connection with you"
"We're friends and we work together"
"Its more than that, ever since she's come into my life, our lives things have been different"
"True"
"I guess Connor made me think"
"Connor was my imagination, as I recall you said Alex wasn't a replacement"
"And she isn't but think about it Jack....you have all those memories and the pain they caused you, yet even if you won't admit it you have a bond with Alex that no one not even I have"
"She's your daughter Sam, not mine"
"I'd like to find that out for sure"
"Sam look I'm old, my track record with my own kid was a disaster, lumping your kid with my name isn't..."
"I'm not asking to change her name, I'm asking you to help me find the truth"
"Why?"
"I can't live with the consequences"
"What?
"Going off world one day and leaving her alone"
"She's got everyone she'll ever need"
"I know everyone will care of her, but they won't love her not like me, she isn't their flesh and blood"
"Oh I don't know Dad loves her to bits"
"That's different and you know it is"
"How?"
"If I died....he'd want to take care of her, but the truth is I'm not sure he can"
"Why?"
"The Tok'ra"
"I think his snake will help out"
"That's not it....Dad's life has changed so much in the last few years, I don't want to leave her jumping from planet to plant whenever there's trouble"
"Good point" he studied the shadow of her face from the light "fine if it's what you want I'll have the test" he replied