Previously on 'TMI':

Thinking about why she'd come to him in the first place, Jack asked, "Unless you still want to go have some fun?"

"Actually sir, I think I've had enough fun for one day. Maybe some other time?" She implied, hoping he caught the hint.

"Definitely, Carter. I'll take a rain check."

They walked back to the truck in silence, knowing that for now their friendship was secure and the future was always full of possibilities.

o0o

The Prelude

Some things never change. Things seldom remain the same. Some things are a constant. True things stand the tests of time. The future is full of possibilities. Sam pondered these clichés as she stared up at the twinkling lights above her. It was a cloudless night and the weather was perfect for stargazing. An old comfortable leather jacket cocooned her as she sipped slowly at a steaming cup of coffee, the familiar smell of worn leather blending pleasantly with bitter tang of the brew. The taste was very strong and slightly sweetened, just the way she liked it.

She should have known he would remember the way she took her coffee. She did after all, have his particular preference committed to memory. Extra strong, with nothing else added. Kind of like the man who drank it, really. Normally she could drink it the same way, but tonight she savoured the hint of sweetness that hinted at vanilla. She liked to think that was the way he saw her.

"Hey, you need a refill?" Jack asked from his lawn chair a few feet away.

She shook her head and smiled shyly. "I'm fine, thanks. I take it Daniel bought the coffee?"

Jack huffed in annoyance. "As if there was anything wrong with the stuff in the pantry! He seemed to think it was outdated. It's coffee f'cryin' out loud, not fashion."

"True, but you know how he is about caffeine. Taste is important, especially when you're addicted."

And didn't she know it. There was a reason she took generally took her coffee the same way as him. Sad really.

"Yeah, well, if he's so addicted, why isn't he here? This was supposed to be a team night, but you're the only one who decided to show. Uh, not that I mind…you know, just the two of us, well, not like that obviously – not that that wouldn't be, you know, uh, nice 'n' all – but…look, Teal'c at least asked to get out of it, being that Ry'ac wanted to see him. But did Danny even bother to call? No. He had Satterfield hand me a bag of beans on my way out and tell me that he wasn't coming! No reasons, no explanations, just the excuse that he had 'other plans'."

The 'other plans' were accompanied by long elegant fingers making speech marks in the air. Sam watched them in idle fascination as her mind mused over the mix of emotions their easy conversation evoked. It brought with it a feeling of comfort and the vague sense of melancholy which always arose at any thought of 'them'. A mood that her next words weren't going to help.

Sam took a sip of coffee, and then answered hesitantly. "He's on a date."

"A date? Daniel is on a date?" Skepticism dripped from his voice.

"Yes, a date." She tried very hard not to smile at his bewildered visage.

"With who?" Jack couldn't seem to believe what he was hearing.

"With whom." Sam replied, allowing a smirk to appear. "He went out with an old friend of his from the university. She was in town and asked him out for dinner."

Jack shook his head at her and grumbled, "does she have a name?"

Smiling coyly, she retorted, "I'm sure she does."

"Ugh! Carter, just tell me." His order came out as a bark and Sam quickly complied.

"Allysa Stanford. Apparently, she and Daniel were quite good friends before Sarah came into the picture. Then, of course the Stargate project took over from there."

"Yeah, well, that happens. It has a way of taking control of your life." Jack muttered aloud to himself, well aware of the person sitting across from him. "So…what's she like?"

"I have no idea. Daniel just told me about the date and said he'd give me the details in the morning."

"He'd better."

Taking a sip of the now lukewarm coffee, she found her voice again and said softly, "he needed this, sir. He's had it rough lately and he needs to feel wanted."

"He is wanted! And needed. He's a part of the team." Jack stated emphatically.

"I know that and in a way he knows it too, but I think he's lonely."

With a quiet sigh, Jack mumbled, "aren't we all." Realizing just how depressing that had sounded, he quickly corrected, "not now, of course. What could be more fun than this, huh? The eclipse should start in just a few minutes."

He saw her nod her head and then asked again, "need more coffee?"

"No sir, I'm fine." Sam answered with a strained smile.

Lost in thought, they watched the stars flicker above them and waited patiently in comfortable silence.

o0o