Disclaimer- Stargate and its characters are not mine, only the story is.

A/N: After everyone read the first part they said "when are you going to finish the next part?!" of course I'd never actually planned another part, but then I kind of got an idea. So here it is! Thanks again to Amanda!

Threads Part 2

Sam pulled her car to a stop in the driveway. Turning the engine off, she looked at Jack's vacant truck parked in front of her, then to his house. A light was on in one of the windows; hopefully he was still awake. She knew she shouldn't be there, but she couldn't sleep, wondering what it was he had begun to say to her when he was interrupted by Kerry; when she had walked in and called the General by his first name. There couldn't possibly be something going on there that was more than a professional relationship. Could there? Sam ignored the sudden pang of jealousy.

Groaning, she leaned her head on the steering wheel. What was it that she expected him to do? Throw away his career for her? There was no way she'd let him do that, just like he wouldn't let her.

I shouldn't be here. Sam pulled her head up and turned the key in the ignition. The car sputtered to life as a knock sounded on the window, causing her to jump out of her skin.

Jack stood outside of the window with a lopsided grin. She rolled down the window.

"Sorry if I scared you."

She shook her head, "That's ok." Only the sound of the engine could be heard as they fell into silence.

"Do you, uh, wanna come in?" He asked after a moment.

"Actually, I should get going."

"So you just came over to take a quick nap in my driveway?"

Sam frowned slightly and bit her lip, "I shouldn't have come here. I just couldn't sleep."

Jack opened the door and smiled, "Then you did the right thing. Come keep me company while I watch some TV."

Sam thought about it. Hesitantly, she turned the key again and car engine died; then climbed out of the car. "As long as it's not The Simpsons." She cracked a smile.

"Well that's no fun!" Jack laughed.

They stood uncomfortably in the lounge room.

"Want something to drink?" Jack placed his hands in the pocket of his jeans.

Sam's blue eyes focused on his. Accepting a drink, which would probably be alcohol, meant staying a while. She knew he wouldn't let her drive after drinking, but if it really came to it, she'd just call a taxi.

Jack smiled at her confused expression, "That wasn't supposed to be a stumper."

"Sure."

"Make yourself comfortable." He walked off to get the drinks.

Sam shrugged off her denim jacket and looked around for where to place it. Finding nothing, she draped it over her arm and looked around the familiar room.

After a minute, Jack walked in with a bottle of beer in each hand. He handed her one, then took her jacket and laid it over the arm of the couch. Jack took a moment to take in her skirt and top. She always looked amazing to him when she was wearing her civilian clothes. Well, she always looked amazing to him period, But even more so when she wasn't in her BDU's.

He sat down on the couch on the couch and she followed, sitting down on the other end, as far from him as she could.

"So…" She began, looking at him with an awkward smile. "You're dating Kerry?" So she hadn't exactly been planning to ask him that, but she'd already begun a truth running streak earlier, why stop now?

His eyes opened in surprise. "No…Yes… I don't know. I think we might have broken up, I didn't exactly give her a warm welcome after you left."

Sam looked down at the bottle in her hands. She was hurt. Hurt because he hadn't told her about his relationship, and hurt because it couldn't be her. "Sorry," she mumbled quietly.

Jack studied her profile and he couldn't help but feel guilty; like he'd betrayed her. It was stupid because he'd done nothing wrong. She was the one getting married! He took a big swig of his drink and looked down at his own hands as they sat in an awkward silence.

"So, excited about the mission tomorrow?" He questioned, once again breaking the awkward silence. Jack saw her look at him out of the corner of his eye.

"What, sitting around while Daniel tries to translate some text?"

"Hey! At least you're not babysitting Felger like Sg-12!" He turned to face her with a mischievous grin plastered on his face.

Sam laughed, "Come on, he's not that bad."

"You're just trying to be nice! Plus, he's got that huge crush on you."

"What? No he doesn't! Why would he?"

"Stop being modest! Why wouldn't he?"

Sam blushed slightly like she always did when he complemented her. At least it wasn't awkward anymore…

"And he was practically glaring at Pete during your engagement party at the SGC that Daniel threw for you."

…Or not.

Jack didn't realize what he'd said until the words were out of his mouth. Again, their eyes dropped to their hands. Jack mentally kicked himself.

Sam sighed and placed her beer on the table. "I need to know something." She spoke quietly.

"Sure." He turned to look at her again.

"Is there any chance that there could ever be an 'us'?"

Jack raised his eyebrows.

"I don't want to marry Pete and lose any chance that we could have, but I don't want to not marry him and wait for something that's never going to happen." Tears welled up in her eyes but she fought them back.

"Isn't that a little unfair to Pete?"

"I do love him. I just…" A tear escaped and rolled down her cheek. Feeling embarrassed, Sam looked away.

"Hey." Jack placed his bottle on the table and reached out and wiped the tear away.

Sam's stomach flipped as his hand sent a spark of electricity across her cheek. She leaned her head into his hand as his thumb stroked her cheek. Her eyes looked back to his and her heart caught in her throat. "Tell me not to marry him." More tears began sliding down her cheeks. Jack moved closer and raised his other hand to brush more tears away. He then let go of her face and took her hands in his.

"I can't ask you to do that." His heart leapt out of his chest at the look of hurt on her face. "But, I want you to know that I'll always be here for you; that there is still a chance for 'us', and there always will be." He watched her tear-stained blue eyes as she processed what he'd said. "Come here." He tilted his head and pulled her into his arms.

Sam wasn't sure what to think as she sat with his arms wrapped tightly around her. She breathed in his familiar scent and couldn't help but feel safe in his arms; like the rest of the world had fallen away; that they were the only ones that existed.

After what felt like forever, but also felt like not long enough, Jack pulled away and looked right into her eyes. Their noses were barely inches apart. They were now dry and only slightly red, which was the only evidence that she'd been crying. The corner of her lips rose slightly as she spoke, "Thanks."

He nodded and buried his hand in her hair on the back of her head. Jack couldn't help but smile. Even when she had puffy, red eyes, and a runny nose, she still looked like the most amazing women on Earth, heck the most beautiful creature in any of the galaxies.

"I love you, Sam." He whispered, in all sincerity, "And I always will."

Before she could respond, he closed the short distance between them and placed his lips lightly on hers.

Sam sat, frozen in shock. Had he just said what she thought he'd said? Was he doing what she thought he was doing? Suddenly, she found herself returning the kiss, deepening it. Her lips craved for more as she placed a hand on his cheek.

Jack had never felt so alive as he tasted her lips. His stomach was jumping like crazy, churning like butterflies, and his skin of his cheek burned from her touch. Although his body felt like it was riding the world's fastest rollercoaster, he'd never felt so calm in his life.

Finally, the need for oxygen won out, and they broke apart, gasping for air.

Sam leaned her forehead against his. Staring into his chocolate brown eyes, her head tried to catch up with her racing heart.

Jack couldn't believe it. Had he just kissed Samantha Carter? Had he just told her that he loved her? So much for regulations!

"I love you too." Sam whispered.

"Jack pulled back and raised his eyebrows. "You what?"

She smiled, "I love you too, Jack."

He grinned and kissed her on the forehead. As much as he wanted to kiss her on the lips again, he knew that he wouldn't be able to control himself, and he knew that right now, they couldn't cross that line again.

"Listen, Sam." He began. It felt strange calling her by her first name, but at the same time, it felt so right.

"I know," She cut him off. "We can't do this now. I'm not letting you retire for me. Besides, I've waited eight years. What's a little longer going to hurt?" She laughed sadly.

He nodded, "As fantastic as retiring sounds, and getting rid of that stupid desk job, I'd miss the 'gate too much. Plus I'd feel really bad if you guys got stuck with somebody like General Bauer again. But I promise that one day we can be an 'us'."

Sam smiled. It was one of those bright smiles which lit up the whole room. One of those infectious smiles that had him smiling right back at her.

"I should get going. Early day tomorrow." She stood up.

Jack stood as well, grabbing her jacket and handing it to her. He walked her to the door; then stopped to look at her. "You'll be ok." Not being sure whether it had been a question or a statement, he still felt relieved when she nodded.

"I'll see you tomorrow…Sir."

"Night, Carter."

Brigadier General Jack O'Neill, watched as his 2IC, Lieutenant Colonel Samantha Carter, climbed into her car. Once again they were bound by the regulations and the 'Sirs' and ranks. This time, they both knew that it wouldn't be forever. One day they would be 'Jack and Sam' instead of 'Carter and O'Neill'.

Jack smiled as her tail lights disappeared around the corner and he closed the door.

A/N: I hope you liked it! Feedback is always welcome!! I might do another chapter, cause certain people keep bugging me (lol).