Thanks so much for all you guys who reviewed. :) It means a lot and I really appreciate your comments and any of your helpful hints. Thanks!

I know this chapter's been slow in coming but I've finally managed to get my butt in gear and get writing!

So… here's chapter three. Put up your feet, grab a cuppa and enjoy. :)

Thunder echoed across the sky as the rain started to pour down harder. She quickly rose from the park bench and strode in the direction of home.

The weather contradicted with everything. It's edge, confusion, the prolonging of it all. It reminded her of that night she had drove to see Jack – to ask him to their wedding.

Flashback

Sam pulled the silver car into the driveway of Jack's black cabin. The lights were on in the house, and Jack's black truck was parked beside her car-but Sam felt a feeling of uneasiness as a flash of lightning outlined the shape of another vehicle. It was a navy blue jeep- a vehicle Sam didn't recognize.

Nervous, but assuring herself it was probably General Hammond, or Dr. Weir or someone else, she approached the large oak door. Sam knocked on the door and listened to the tiny noise echo throughout the cabin. Clutching the tiny white envelope in her hand she wondered if he would accept her invitation. She wanted him to be her best man- a position which wasn't under normal conditions but ever since Janet had died she felt that he was the only person she needed to stand by her side. Over the years they had braved unimaginable things. He was her rock, her anchor, and she simply needed him to be there. She hoped that he would accept her offer and she silently crossed her fingers behind her back.

Sam heard the door being unlocked and it gently creaked open revealing a very frazzled looking Jack O'Neill.

'Hey.' Sam greeted him, a warm smile on her face.

'Hey Carter. Whatcha doin' here?'

'Umm…can I come in?' Sam asked him softly.

Jack ran a hand through his graying hair. 'Yeah, sure.' He agreed.

'Thanks.' Sam smiled.

'So, is there a reason you drove all the way down from Colorado Springs to see me in the middle of a thunderstorm?' Jack smirked , a grin tugging at his lips.

'Yeah. Umm, I wanted to ask you something.'

'Okay. Try me.' Jack flashed her a smile.

'Can you come to the wedding?'

Jack glanced down and pulled his gaze up again to lock his eyes with her own. 'I'll try to Sam.'

Sam almost flinched at the sound of her name. He said it with such a pained tone- like he'd lost something.

'I want you to be my best man.' Sam blurted out interrupting the silence between them.

'Best man?' Jack grinned, his eyes sparkling.

'Yeah.' Sam smiled. 'I'd love it if you accepted sir.'

'Well then…I accept.' Jack smiled warmly at her.

'Kay. Well…I'll see you around?'

'Yeah. Briefing tomorrow? 0800 hours?

'Of course. See you tomor-'

-'Jack where's the coffee?' came a voice from somewhere in the background.

Sam felt a lump form in her throat at the sound of the voice. She glanced up at Jack and questioned him silently. His eyes turned dark and hollow looking. Regret etched across the features on his face.

A pretty, dark haired woman with bright green eyes appeared in the hallway. 'Oh, um…hi! I'm Aadi…nice to meet you. You must be Samantha.'

Sam fought back the tightness in her throat. 'Yeah…Aadi, that's such a pretty name. Do you and Jack know each other well…' Sam trailed off, her voice growing hoarse again.

'Carter, I, We—'

'—We met last week. There was a group going fishing for bass up at Lake Minnesota, and I had decided to go, and Jack was there. And, well…we just met up and found that we had a lot in common.'

Sam smiled painfully. 'Oh that's great. I'm happy for you both.'

Aadi smiled sweetly at her. 'Thanks. You know you should stay for awhile and have some coffee. I have to find it first, but stay. I just put the kettle on.'

'Thanks for the offer but it's late. I really should get back. Pete will be coming home soon.'

'Oh! Congratulations on the wedding. Jack told all about it.'

'Oh…' Sam shot Jack a quick glance.

'Have you set a date yet?' Aadi asked.

'Next month. The 23rd.'

'Well. Congratulations and all the best.'

'Thanks.' Sam smiled weakly and left closing the heavy door behind her.

Sam hopped into her car and brushed away the tears stinging her eyes. She started the ignition and shifted the gear stick into reverse before pulling out of the driveway and away from the cabin.

End of flashback

Sam was now soaked from the pouring rain as she neared her house. She could feel fresh tears prickling her eyes again from the memory, but she brushed them away angrily. She opened the tiny gate allowing her entrance to the front yard of her house. She didn't bother to close it but ran to the door and quickly stepped inside from the wicked weather. Sam locked the door behind her and set off in search of a towel to dry off with.

She was drenched, frozen and chilled to the bone- but she didn't care. The walk was well worth it. It gave her time to reflect and it put it her at some peace – enabling her to brace the events and hardships of the coming day. She didn't know what today would bring, and she didn't know if she could face Jack anymore.

Everything was a scrambled up puzzle- everything was out of place and nothing fit. Jack had chosen to move on in his life and her complex feelings for him had ruined her promising life full of happiness and love with Pete. Nothing made sense anymore. None of the pieces fit. But one fact she knew- that Jack was happy. And if he was- then she was too.

………………………………………………………………………………………………

Okay, like it, hate it…anything is greatly appreciated. Aadi is troubling me- but I think she is really the sweetly annoying type of person. So her and Jack….we'll see.

Chapter four is on the way soon. Thanks so much for reading. :)

-Trina