Note: Final chapter of this one. Thanks so much for all the kind words of encouragement.

Chapter Six: Sweet

Jack O'Neill wandered down to his 2IC's office on Monday morning. She was predictably at her computer, as she was every Monday after a rare weekend away from the base, going through the logs of every non-event that had happened in her absence.

"Looks like they survived without you," he commented with a smile, plunking himself down on a stool and picking up a doohickey off of her desk.

"Yes, sir," she said absently, reading a screen of complicated gate diagnostics as if it were something as simple as Dr. Seuss.

Jonas ran into the room looking as happy as he had done when Carter had given him his first piece of chocolate.

"Major Carter, thanks!" he said happily, bounding over to her and pulling her up out of her chair in such a huge hug that Jack was worried she was being damaged.

"Jonas, I can't breathe!" she objected, her voice muffled.

"Sorry, sorry," he apologized profusely, letting go of her but still looking like the happiest kid at the zoo. "Teal'c said that's what you guys do when you're happy and… sorry."

"It's okay. Just don't do it so hard next time," Carter said with a smile, discreetly rubbing her ribcage, which was aching.

Jack, more than a little irked at the manhandling of his 2IC and the person behind it, frowned at both of them. Carter, noticing this, said, "Jonas, what are you thanking me for anyway?"

"For the fish tank! In my office! It's great! I love it!"

She looked at him, confused, and said, "Jonas, I didn't give you a fish tank."

"Oh… I thought it was you…"

Carter looked over at her CO, who was suddenly obsessed with manicuring his nails with the device he had picked up.

"Sir?" she asked in surprise. He met her eyes and shrugged.

"You gave me the fish tank, Colonel? And those great fish? Wow. Thanks!" And before Jack could duck out of the way, Jonas was hugging him as well, possibly even tighter than he had been hugging Carter.

Jack patted the man awkwardly on the back while Carter shook with silent giggles.

"Thanks so much, Colonel!" Jonas repeated when he let go of the older man.

"No problem, Jonas. I'm glad you like them."

"I love them! I'm going to go name them right now, and I'll name the biggest one after you!" he said excitedly, practically running out of the room.

After Jonas had left, Jack demanded, "What?" defensively at the look he was getting from his 2IC.

"Sir, that was really nice of you to do…"

"Poor guy still doesn't get off base much, and he likes fish. It's no big deal," he said gruffly with a shrug.

Shaking her head with a smile, she watched him head for the door.

"Colonel?" she called quickly. He turned and paused, waiting for her to keep talking. She hurried over to him, put her hands on both his arms, squeezed lightly, and leaned in and pecked him on the cheek. His eyes conveyed a mild version of the surprise he felt. Blushing slightly, she said, "Thanks."

"For what?" he asked, unable to keep himself from being a little irritating. It was what he did, after all. Especially when he was in need of a defense mechanism, and quick.

"For being so…"

"You finish that sentence with the word 'sweet' and I'll kick your ass, Carter," he said gruffly, hurrying out of the room. Shaking her head after him, she went back to work smiling.

The end.