DISCLAIMER: Nope still not mine. If it was, I certainly wouldn't be working at Walmart and living in Kansas now would I?

SUMMARY: Jack and Sam have actually admitted to each other that they love each other and are now trying to figure out how to work things out between them so they can be together. Daniel is falling deeper in love with Shey every day. So how do two people that are forbidden to be together by their jobs get a little quality time alone? Very carefully.

SPOILERS: Up through season 8 Affinity. I hate Pete so if you like him, consider youself warned: I participate in some major Pete bashing.

A/N: Thanks to everyone that's been leaving such wonderful reviews. The more review I have the faster the Muse pushes me to write.

Sam and Jack were sitting on a hillside together watching the world go by. Sam was sitting in front of Jack with her back against his chest and his legs to either side of her.

She sighed. "This feels so good. Just sitting here like this."

"I found out something interesting this morning. It seems even dear old Dad had a bet going on the two of us getting together."

"What?"

"Yeah. Apparently he thought we were going to take an awful lot longer than this to open our eyes and see things their way." He wrapped his arms around her a little tighter. She tensed a bit. He relaxed almost instantly. "What's wrong?"

"I didn't want to tell you. When Pete left me the shiner, he also bruised my ribs pretty good. Dr. Brightman did an x-ray. Nothing broken. Just heavily bruised. Which pretty much takes me out of the field for a while." She turned to put a palm against his cheek ever so lightly. "I'll be okay. Really, Jack. Especially now that I have you to protect me when I can't protect myself."

"Why didn't you fight back?"

"I was scared. He had never outright threatened Cassie but somehow I got the feeling that if I fought back he'd either have her taken away or that he'd hurt her in some way. I didn't want to find out if I was right or not. I won't take that kind of a chance with Cassie."

Jack just pulled her in to his embrace, being careful not to squeeze too hard. "I really wish I knew what I did to deserve you in my life."

Shey was sitting quietly at the campsite she and Talorn had named their temporary home when Daniel came up the mountain. "Shey, Talorn. We have a message for you from your father. It's coming through in just a few minutes."

Shey and Talorn both went back toward the base. They were eager to hear how the battle against the false one was faring.

Walking into the control room above the embarkation room, Shey and Talorn were eager to hear from there father. "Right over here, Talorn." Sargeant Siler was waiting by the screen.

As Talorn stepped up to the monitor, the picture came into focus. It was their father. But he had obviously been severely beaten. "Father, what is happening?" Talorn said.

"Talorn, She'tiana. My beloved children. I am currently unsure of how long this battle will take. Your older brother, To'marn, has fallen to the false one's forces. As have so many others. It appears to us that the Morrigan has abandon us. We are being slaughtered by the false one's forces."

"Father, how badly are you injured?" Shey's worry laced her voice. She couldn't see her father and for once in their lives both Talorn and Da'norn were glad of her blindness.

"Do not worry about me, She'tiana. Care for yourself and Talorn. We will defeat her. The Morrigan will see that we are still loyal only to her." Just then, they heard the sound of a blast. Talorn watched as his father fell dead.

Just then, Mnimi stepped into view. "So shall I crush all who oppose me!" she announced.

"Father!" Shey screamed. She slumped back where, thankfully, Daniel stood. He caught her and pulled her back to a chair where he sat her down. Tears streamed down her face as she went completely limp in the chair.

"Shey. Shey, calm down. Shey, please." Daniel hated to see her like this. He had only seen her as strong, steadying. She was falling apart and he couldn't do anything about it.

Talorn came over to his sister as Siler turned off the monitor. He pulled his sister into his arms to give her all the support he could. It was his way of sharing her grief. It was the only thing he could do.

Daniel could only watch as Talorn offered his twin the comfort that she needed so desparately at that moment. Just then, Sam and Jack walked into the room. Sam left Jack at the doorway and hurried over to Daniel. "What happened?"

"The Go'auld killed their father. Shey collapsed. I wish I could just --"

"Daniel?" Shey's voice got his attention as quickly as if she had touched his shoulder.

He walked over to her. "I'm here, Shey. Right beside you." She turned to him and reached for him. He took her into his embrace. "I will always be here for you. You have a home here."

The look on Talorn's face caught both Jack's and Sam's attention. As they watched, Shey looked up. "Honestly, Daniel?"

"Yes. Honestly."

"Talorn, what is it?" Sam asked.

"He has just spoken the ritual words to propose marriage."

A/N: Dun dun dun dun dun......... Now what? Stay tuned to find out how Daniel reacts to finding out that he just proposed to Shey.