Life's Problems – Part 8

Jacob was resting in the Isolation Room in the Infirmary. He had regained consciousness three days ago. However, Selmak's heart rate was still indicating a comatose state. Luckily Jacob's body wasn't trying to reject his symbiote in fact it appeared that Selmak was using Jacob's strength to help heal itself. This was draining Jacob and allowed him to stay awake for only thirty minutes to an hour at a time. His broken ribs were almost healed as were his lungs and liver, thanks to the healing device.

Sam continued her vigil by her dad's bedside. She only left to get something to eat, or at nights to sleep in her quarters on base. She was able to catch up on all her paper work while she sat with her dad. Daniel and Teal'c continued to stop by to show their support.

Jack came in a couple of times a day, not as often as Daniel or Teal'c; he didn't want to give the gossip mill anything to talk about. They hadn't acted on their feelings since that morning in the infirmary. The regulations were still in place, a court martial was still very much a treat, and Jack had not broken up with Kerry. There were, however, brief moments of affection by words, a look, or a touch letting the other know their feelings hadn't changed.

Sam and Jack weren't the type of people to cheat on a spouse or significant other, anymore then they could throw the Military rule book, they followed their entire adult life, out the window to pursue a secret relationship. A kiss was one thing, but they weren't willing to cross the line anymore then they already have. They knew what they wanted ... each other, but they weren't sure how they were going to accomplish that. They had a glimpse of what their future could be like, and neither of them was willing to wait very long.

Sam was in the infirmary writing a report on the results from her latest experiment when her dad woke up.

Jacob was trying to focus on the person he knew was sitting in the makeshift desk next to his bed.

"Hey kiddo." Jacob managed to get out after clearing his throat.

Sam put her stuff away and sat on his bed so she could hear him better. "Hey Dad, How are you feeling?"

"Like I haven't slept in a week." He said roughly.

She smiled at him as she poured him a glass of water. "The doctor said your vitals signs are good and most of your injuries have healed."

The two sat quietly while Jacob wet his dry throat. "It's too quiet." He finally said.

She knew he wasn't talking about the infirmary. He missed Selmak.

"Ian is continuing to use the hand device after he recovers from the previous session. Selmak does improve marginally each time. That's why you are so tired. Your system is supporting both you and Selmak. It is rare for the symbiote to need healing instead of the host, but it is not unheard of."

"If we knew what was wrong with her, then Ian might be able to heal her quicker. I wish I knew what happened on the planet, but I'm afraid I don't remember much after the first two weeks of my mission."

"Don't rush it dad. You'll remember in time." Sam didn't really want him to remember the torture he must have gone through, but she knew it would help Selmak if he could remember.

"I just owe her for saving my life, and now I have a chance to repay the favor and I can't remember what happened to us."

Jacob continued to sift through his memories for anything that might help. Sam tried to help by asking questions, until Jacob became too tired and fell asleep.

Jack was deep in thought as he sat alone in the commissary. His mind kept drifting back to one person, Sam. He still couldn't get over that kiss. She actually felt the same way he did, and this time they weren't going to forget about it, or leave it in the room. He felt like a teenager again, he had a goofy smile on his face, and he couldn't help himself.

Sam walked into the commissary for a quick cup of coffee and bite to eat when she saw Jack. She laughed when she saw his goofy grin. She felt the same way. They had to figure something out soon. There were only a few people around, so she decided to chance it. She walked over to his table and sat down.

"Hey Stranger. You know if you don't wipe that grin off your face the entire base is going to know something is up." He looked at her still grinning. The last three days they had gotten comfortable around each other as Jack and Sam. They couldn't do much more than talk right now, but that was something new for them. They dropped the 'Sirs' and 'Carter' when it was just the two of them.

"Hi! I can't help myself. I feel like a teenager again, and that's no small feat."

She laughed "You're not that old."

"Oh ... so what's with all this gray hair?"

"I don't know I think it makes you look ... distinguished." She said with a mischievous grin. She wanted to say something else, but there were other occupants in the commissary.

He smirked and decided they were treading on dangerous ground so they better change the subject. "So how's 'Dad'?" She smiled at his obvious change in topic.

"He's doing fine, although he still can't stay awake very long. Selmak isn't much better. I'm a little worried about her. Dad just went back to sleep, so I thought I would grab something to eat and head back to the infirmary."

"I'm sure Ian will be able to heal her, it'll just take some time."

"I know. I'm worried something might happen to Selmak. I keep remembering what it felt like when Jolinar died. I was only blended for a couple of days. I can't imagine being blended for 5 or 6 years. This is really hard on him."

Jack remember the time all too well when Jolinar had taken control of Sam. He thought he had lost her; first when she was possessed by what they thought was a Goa'uld, then by an assassin, and finally when Jolinar died. The incident literally and figuratively changed her forever. They rejoiced when the ordeal was over, but Sam slipped into a depression. She mourned a death that none of them could understand. There wasn't anything they could do to comfort her. She wasn't responding to anyone; not even Cassie. He felt completely helpless watching her fight through the anguish alone. The pain from the memory showed in his eyes.

Sam saw the pain and touched his hand briefly and mouthed the words 'I'm sorry'.

"You wouldn't let us help you." He still didn't understand why she pushed them away.

"I know I was so confused. Part of me thought Jolinar was the enemy we were fighting against, and the other part of me was completely convinced he was Tok'ra and we were fighting for the same side. It felt like part of me died, and I wasn't sure if I should be rejoicing or mourning. I felt guilty for both emotions. Add to that the dreams I had of Jolinar's life, and the lines between reality and fiction began to blur. I wasn't sure of anything anymore. I had to figure it out before I could let anyone else in to help me. I'm sorry I pushed you and everyone else away."

"I wished so many times that day had never happened to you." She looked at him surprised. He continued speaking preventing her from replying. "I know we benefited a lot after you were 'blended'. Earth made another ally, and your father was cured of his cancer, but you paid a huge price for that." He said his voice mixed with admiration and regret.

"I think we have all paid a huge price for this war. Teal'c left his family and his home world to fight against those he once served. Daniel lost his wife and an entire planet where he lived for a year. Janet made the ultimate sacrifice by giving her life."

"I guess I was the lucky one. I gained more then I lost when we started this job eight years ago."

Even though Sam wasn't there for the first mission to Abydos, she knew he had signed up because he thought it was a suicide mission. "Jack you lost so much before this war even started not to mention what you went through during it. You've been captured, stranded and tortured more than anyone should."

"Yes but in the middle of it all I found a reason to get up every morning. I have a great team that became my family, and there was a certain blue eyed scientist with a brilliant smile that brought me back to life. I mean it ... if it wasn't for you and the rest of SG-1 I probably wouldn't be here today."

She smiled touched by his words. She knew it wasn't easy thing for him to admit. She considered herself lucky to view the man behind the military mask, a man that had hopes and fears like everyone else. She fell more in love with him at that moment. "I don't know what to say Jack. You mean the world to me... you, Daniel, and Teal'c all of you do, and I can't imagine my life without you in it."

They sat there quietly staring at one another fighting the urge to reach out to the other, when they heard someone dropped their silverware on the commissary floor. They were shaken out of their dream state and looked around to see if anyone had seen them. They didn't think anyone was paying attention to them. They both smiled weakly at the other.

Sam spoke first. "I guess I need to get back to the infirmary."

"Yeah it might be safer there." He said with a smirk. She smiled in response, as he continued to speak. "I'll come by later to check on everyone."

She stood up to leave; knowing others would be able to hear them now. "Talk to you later sir."

"O.K. Carter."

Kerry saw Jack and Sam quietly talking when she entered the Commissary. They seemed to be having an intense conversation, and wondered if she should interrupt. She got her food and drink and was walking over to join them as Colonel Carter left.

Jack hadn't seen Kerry until she sat down in the same spot that Sam just left. He was a little shocked, and he hoped it didn't show.

Kerry noticed Jack's sudden change in demeanor as she sat down. His face became very serious. She missed his boyish charm that was displayed only minutes ago with Colonel Carter as she left.

"Well that wasn't the greeting I was hoping for." Kerry was trying to make light of the situation.

"Sorry ... I uh didn't see you come in. I didn't think you were on base today." Jack was trying to recover.

"So ... is this a pleasant surprise or not?" Kerry didn't want to play any games. She and Jack had only been dating three weeks, well technically only two because she hasn't seen him in the last five days.

"Uhhhh Yeah of course it's good to see you." He finally smiled at her. "I'm sorry I haven't returned your calls, things have been hectic this week."

"That's right, so how is Colonel Carter's dad doing? I saw her in here when I walked in."

'Great! She saw us'. Jack mentally kicked himself for not being more careful.

"Carter's dad is doing much better. The doctor's said Jacob is almost completely recovered. The symbiote is recovering slower then they like, so he has to stay in the infirmary until Selmak is better."

"Good. I'm glad to hear that."

"Listen I hate to leave you sitting here alone, but I have to get ready for a meeting."

"Jack I just got here and I haven't seen you the past five days. Can't you just spare ten minutes?"

Jack felt guilty. The situation was just too awkward. It wasn't fair to Kerry or Sam. He was starting to feel every bit his age. He didn't want to hurt either of them, and he knew if he didn't straighten things out soon he would end up hurting them both. "I really do have to go, but why don't you come over to my house tonight around 20:00?"

"O.K. I'll be there at 8:00 p.m. Do you want me to bring anything?" she was smiling at him, relieved he wasn't shutting her out. She was starting to get worried.

"No that's O.K. I'll take care of everything." He quickly escaped to the solitude of his office. He decided he would break up with her tonight. If he broke up with her gently, then maybe they could stay friends.

That night in the Infirmary Jacob was awake and sitting up in bed. He was listening to Sam, Daniel, and Teal'c talking and laughing about different events they had all been through together. Jacob couldn't help, but notice that Sam was happier then he had ever seen her before. He knew SG-1 was like another family to her, but he had a feeling something else was going on. He wondered if there was something else or someone else that was making her this happy. He remembered her telling him she was dating a guy by the name of Pete. He wondered if he was responsible for her happiness. Jacob wanted to talk to her about it, but his eyes were starting to get very heavy.

Sam was the first to notice her dad dozing off. She started to lower the bed so he would be more comfortable, when he woke up. "Hey why don't you get some sleep I think we're boring you with our stories." She said smiling.

"Nah I just wish Selmak would wake up so I could stay awake for more than hour at a time."

Daniel and Teal'c got up to say their goodbyes. "Rest well Jacob Carter. Colonel Carter is there anything that you require before we leave for the night?"

"Yeah Sam we can get you something for dinner if you want us to."

"No that's O.K. I think I might grab something later. Thanks."

"You're not planning on stay here are you?" Jacob said a little drowsy.

"No Dad I'll sleep in my quarter."

"No you won't. Look I'm feeling much better and Selmak will wake up soon. There is no reason ..." he yawned "for you to sleep on a cot when you can get a real night's sleep in your own bed."

"Dad, I'll be fine ...

"No you're going home tonight. Teal'c will you escort my little girl home and make sure she stays there until the sun comes up."

"Indeed Jacob Carter."

"Hey. I can get my self home when I want to go."

"I agree with your dad, Sam. You need a little time away from here. We'll pick up some take out and head over to Jack's. I saw him leave over an hour ago. We'll have a team night like we use to." Daniel knew she and Jack had gotten closer, so if he could bring Jack into the equation to get her out of the mountain, he would have a better chance. Besides he really wanted to know what was going on.

The thought of seeing Jack outside the SGC was making it very difficult for her to say no. "What is this ... a conspiracy?" She laughed.

"You're darn right. Now get out of here so I can get some sleep."

She leaned over and kissed her dad on the forehead. "Goodnight Dad, I'll see you in the morning."

"Goodnight kiddo. Thanks guys."

The three left and gave the nursing staff instruction to call Colonel Carter's cell phone if there was any change in her father's condition.

It was 21:00 by the time they got take-out and headed towards Jack's house.

"Hey guys, shouldn't we call him to let him know we are coming over." Sam remember the last time she arrived at his housed unannounced. She didn't want a repeat performance; although with recent events she didn't think there would be one.

"No I think it'll be more fun to surprise him, besides I think as soon as he sees you he'll be glad we came over." Daniel smiled as Sam blushed.

"I don't know what you're talking about Daniel."

"Oh come on Sam, Teal'c and I have seen the way you and Jack have been acting towards one another. Something has changed."

"Indeed it has."

"Nothing is going on right now. He's my CO, Daniel you know that.

"Nothing is going on RIGHT NOW?" Daniel asked amused at catching her slip.

Sam closed her eyes and cursed herself for the slip.

"What about Pete?"

Sam cringed as she remembered their argument in the infirmary. She had wanted to end things on a better note. "He came to see me in the infirmary the first night after we found dad. We had a big argument and I broke up with him."

"Sam I'm sorry, why didn't you say something to someone?"

"I believe she did Daniel Jackson." Teal'c remembered the morning after Jacob was found, O'Neill was with Colonel Carter when they arrived very early that morning. "I believe that is why the new situation has transpired between O'Neill and Colonel Carter."

"Oh that's right. Jack was already there that morning, and that was the first time we noticed your behavior."

"He came in to check on dad right after Pete left. We had a nice conversation." She said smiling. She wasn't about to give them any details.

They finally pulled up in front of Jack's house, but none of them really paid attention to the other car parked in front of Jack's house. The neighbors were always parking in front of Jacks house, since he was rarely home.

Meanwhile Jack had finally gotten up the courage to break up with Kerry as they finished eating. "Kerry you know I think you're a great person."

"Uh Oh. I've heard this speech before." Kerry began twisting the napkin she still held in her hands.

"You're an intelligent and attractive woman, and I just think you can do better than me."

"What are you trying to say Jack?"

"I think we should stop seeing each other."

"So you have been avoiding me the past week. I thought we had two great weeks together Jack. What changed?"

"We did have two great weeks."

"Jack if you think the age gap is a problem; I'm not worried about it."

"Well you should be. You're in your early thirty's and I'm ... well I'm not."

"Jack I don't care about our age. I enjoy spending time with you."

"I enjoyed the time we spent together too, but I just think we need to stop while we are ahead. You're ...."

They were interrupted by the door bell. Jack couldn't believe that person's timing. When the door bell rang again he knew they weren't going away. He excused himself and went to strangle who ever was at the door.

He opened the door to see his former teammates. "It's about time Jack what were you doing?" Daniel didn't give Jack time to reply he just walked past him towards the Kitchen.

"Good evening O'Neill." Teal'c followed Daniel in.

"Hi Jack." Sam smiled at him.

"Carter!" He panicked.

"Carter?" She was surprised by the use of her last name. "What's going on, Jack?" That's when she heard Daniel talking to someone in the kitchen. She closed her eyes. 'Please tell me she is not here?' She thought to herself.

"Oh ... Um ... Kerry? What are you doing here?" Daniel was shocked to see Kerry sitting at the table.

"Jack and I were having dinner." She got up from the table to see where Jack was. She thought he should explain what she was doing here to his teammates. She walked into the hall to see Jack and Sam still standing in the open doorway. She was surprised by the strange looks on their faces.

Sam was surprised when she saw Kerry walking into his hallway. She recovered quickly. "It looks like we're interrupting. Sorry to have bothered you, Sir." Sam turned and walked out the door.

Jack lowered his head as he heard her use the "S" word. 'No please, not again!' he thought to himself. He was standing in the doorway about to go after Sam when Kerry spoke. "Jack..."

Kerry had a bad feeling about what she saw. She was about to confront Jack about it, when Daniel and Teal'c came down the hallway mumbling their apologies. Kerry slowly retuned to the kitchen replaying the startling events in her mind. 'Is that really why Jack wants to break up with me, because of Colonel Carter?'

Daniel couldn't believe what was going on. Surely Jack wasn't dating Kerry, especially the way he and Sam had been flirting. Daniel, always the diplomat, was about to ask Jack for a reasonable explanation when he saw the look on Jack's face. Daniel was sure then that he and Kerry were on a date. Part of Daniel felt a little sorry for Jack and the predicament he was in, but the other part wanted to yell at him for being so stupid for messing up what he and Sam had accomplished the last few days.

Jack lowered his voice to speak to Daniel and Teal'c as they were walking out the door. "It's not what it looks like. I'll come by later to explain."

"Do you think that is wise O'Neill?"

"I know how this looks T, but at least give me a chance to explain."

"Jack, I doubt Sam will want to see you. Why don't you call instead?"

Jack was surprised that they knew about him and Sam. He wondered if Sam told them, or if it was just that obvious. "Fine, whatever! Just give me a chance to explain."

Daniel and Teal'c nodded their heads in agreement and left to take Sam home.

Jack watched as their car drove down the street with a sigh. 'How do these things get so screwed up?!'

Jack turned and walked back inside. He found Kerry pacing in his kitchen. She stopped when she noticed he had returned. "Care to explain what's going on?" she asked trying to stay calm.

"What are you talking about?"

"The look I saw on Colonel Carter's face. It's the same look she had the first time she came over and I was here. Of course then I thought it was just the shock of finding out we were dating. Care to explain why she was so shocked to find me here this time?" Kerry asked sarcastically.

Jack started to speak when Kerry cut him off. "Is that why you gave the 'your too good for me speech'. You're a grown man Jack you could have just told me you found someone else. You didn't have to lie to me!"

"I'm not dating anyone else, and you do deserve someone better then me." He was trying to calm her down.

"Cut the crap, Jack. Are you and Colonel Carter dating? I just want to know the truth, it's not like we have had some long meaningful relationship."

"No Carter and I aren't dating."

"Have you dated in the past?"

"No we haven't dated in the past. Why the fifth degree?"

"I just wanted know Jack. I have always heard the rumors, but never believed them until tonight."

"What rumors?"

She didn't know if he was playing dumb or if he really hadn't heard them. The look on his face would indicate the latter.

"You really don't know do you?" She said amazed. "The rumors about you and Colonel Carter, Major Carter, or Captain Carter, whatever her rank at the time ... are involved. Some rumors over the years even have you two secretly married."

"Years?" He was shocked to say the least. He and Sam had just admitted how they felt about the other, and now he finds out the entire base believes they've been involved for years!

Kerry couldn't help but smile at his astounded facial expressions. She wanted to hate him or yell at him, but she couldn't. She saw the way he was looking at Colonel Carter in the Commissary this afternoon, and again tonight at his front door. In the two weeks they spent together, he never once looked at her with the desire and longing she saw when he looked at Colonel Carter.

"Jack, you're a great guy behind that tough sarcastic exterior. We had fun the last two weeks. I knew the rumors could be true when I came into this relationship. I'm not going to lie, I am hurt and angry. I wish you would look at me the way you look at Colonel Carter, but you don't. I can't compete with whatever you two have or will have."

"I never meant to hurt you, and if it's any consolation Carter and I aren't dating."

"It's not."

"I'm sorry." He truly meant it.

"Me too, Jack. I guess I'll see you around the base."

"Of Course."

"Goodbye Jack." She picked up her purse and walked out his front door without looking back.

"Bye" Jack said now to an empty house.

Sam remained quite on the ride to her house. None of them had spoken since Daniel and Teal'c conveyed Jack's message that he would explain everything later.

She didn't want to jump to conclusions. She wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt. 'There has to be a logical explanation as to why Kerry was at his house tonight. Surely he doesn't want to keep seeing her ... does he? No, no maybe that's why she was at his house so he could break up with her. Oh, Jack what are you doing?'

She closed her eyes silently prayed that she and Jack weren't going to go back to the way things use to be. She knew she wouldn't be able to handle it, not after taking the first step and coming this far. Sure there was the time when they had their memory stamped and they thought they were Thera and Jonah. It was easier to pretend that it was Thera and Jonah that loved one another. This time it was Jack and Sam that admitted their feelings. She wouldn't be able to sit in the briefing room and not look at him and remember the desire he had in his eyes for her, or the soft tender kiss they shared once in the twilight hours when nothing mattered, but the two of them.

After they arrived at Sam's house. Daniel and Teal'c put the take-out in the microwave to reheat. It had been a week since Sam had been home so she excused herself on the pretense of checking out her house. Instead she was still trying to work out the nervousness she had waiting for Jack to call. That's when she heard Daniel's cell phone.

She rejoined them in the Kitchen and Daniel handed her the phone. "Hello"

"Hey Sam it's me, please let me explain."

"I'm listening." Sam went into her living room for privacy.

"I invited Kerry over here tonight to break up with her. I couldn't do it on the base, because there were too many people around. Today was the first time I had seen her in 4 or 5 days. She saw us this afternoon in the commissary."

"She saw us in the commissary. What did she say?"

"Not much. Although, she thinks there is something going on between you and me. Did you know the entire base thought you and I have been involved for YEARS?"

"I have heard rumors, especially right after I received a promotion."

"What! That's ridiculous. You've earned every single promotion you received."

"I know that, and so does everyone that matters to me... But Jack, this time the rumors are closer to the truth."

"I know." He said quietly. "You stand to lose more out of this if we do decide to explore what ever we have together."

"Jack I think the decision has already been made. Do you think you could go back to the way things were?"

"No. It would kill me."

"Yeah me too. So I guess we decide where we go from here."

"Why don't I come over, and we can talk about it."

"Do you think that would be wise, Jack?"

"Afraid you couldn't keep your hands off of me?" She could hear the smile in his voice.

"I think we both need to think about our options first and then discuss what we are willing to do. Although, we both have to agree that no one will make any rash decision until we both talk about it and agree with it."

He smiled at her logical approach, and couldn't really argue with it. "O.K. with me. When do you want to discuss this?"

"I don't know. I guess when we both come up with a solution."

"How long is that going to take?"

She laughed. "I don't know Jack, maybe a week or longer."

Jack didn't like the idea of more than a week. "A week sounds good."

Sam still smiling. "O.K. a week."

"Well ... goodnight then."

"Goodnight Jack." He still loved the way she said his name.

They both reluctantly hung up the phone and began to think about what they were going to do next.

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