Jack sat in his room, staring absentmindedly at the television, watching a reality show.

He was trying to keep his mind off of Carter, unsuccessfully.

The phone rang, startling him out of his thoughts. He jumped up, and went over to pick it up.

"O'Neill."

"Colonel O'Neill? It's Doctor Frasier. We have the cure."

"Bout damn time," he said. "Are you going to bring it down, or do I get to come out of my cage and come to you?"

"I want to run an analysis on it first, just in case. Then I will be down shortly with it, Colonel. Then we should be able to let you out of your room, and get back to your normal duties."

"Great. I'll be here," he said sarcastically before hanging up.

I need to get out of here. I'm going crazy. At least it will be over soon. I can stop having these feelings about Sam. Carter. I mean Carter.

"Damn, this is frustrating."

Having all these thoughts about her, it hasn't been that awful, really. I mean, I love Carter. Have for awhile now.

Then the little voice in the back of his head started talking back, causing Jack to argue with himself.

Do you?

I do. Don't I? I have had feelings for her for years. And I think she loves me too. Or at least she did. Lately she has been acting different. Maybe her feelings have changed.

It's not like I can do anything about it, even if I do love her. I am her superior officer. Regulations and all that.

Jack began to think about his career, and what it meant to him. You know you would never give it up for her. Even if you did love her.

With that thought, Jack came to realize something.

I don't love her. At least, not anymore. I did, at one time, but things have changed. I know we would never last. We are friends, teammates. Nothing more.

As Jack was making some tough realizations, Janet was finishing up her tests. She finished preparing the cure, and headed down to Jack's room. She had decided he could be the first one to get it.

Knock, Knock

Jack was startled out of his thoughts by the knock on the door, and jumped up to answer it.

"About time, doc. Got the cure?"

"Yes Colonel," she replied, holding up her hand to reveal a syringe.

"Great, let's get this over with." He sat down and held out his arm so she could give him the shot.

A few moments and a slight pinch later, he had the cure coursing through his veins. Jack stood up and thanked Janet.

"So can I get out of here now?" he asked, eager to get on with his life.

"Yes, but only to go to the infirmary. I want to keep an eye on you to make sure there are no side effects to the substance."

"Fine. Great. Let's go. I need to get out of here," he agreed, eager to get out of the room that had contained him for the last few days.

Daniel was sitting in his room, trying to get some work done. He wasn't having much luck, because he knew they had the cure, and Janet just had to run a few tests first.

What is taking so long? I want to get this cure, and get out of here. I want to get some work done, get some fresh air, sunlight.

And see Sam?

Sam. I need to see Sam. We really need to talk. But what do I say? Do I tell her how I feel, or don't I? How will she react if I do? I don't want to ruin our friendship.

Daniel was so lost in thought, he didn't here the first knock on his door. He heard the second one though. Harder, a little more urgent.

"Daniel?" Janet called out, concerned.

Daniel headed to the door and opened it for the doctor.

"Oh, sorry Janet. I was just thinking. Is it ready?"

"Yes. Have it right here. Just have a seat and I can give it to you. After that, I just want to observe you in the infirmary for a bit, and then you're free to go."

"Thanks," he said, sitting down. "I can't wait to get out of here. I have so much work to do."

"Are you going to talk to Sam?"

"I don't know. That's what I was thinking about when you came by. I can't decide if I should or not. I don't want to mess things up, Janet."

"Daniel, Sam cares about you. No matter what, that won't change. Nothing you do or say will make her stop caring about you. You should know that."

"I do. I- I guess I'm just scared. I love her, and I have no idea how she feels. I don't even know how I feel. How do I know it isn't just this drug playing tricks on my mind?"

"There's only one way to find out. Just wait until this cure kicks in, then go see her," Janet suggested as she stuck the needle in his arm.

He flinched slightly, then nodded. "You're right. Thank you, for everything."

Janet just nodded, and headed for the door so they could get to the infirmary and run her tests.

Sam was sitting in her lab, examining a piece of technology that another team had brought back from off world.

She was busy trying to take it apart, when there was a soft tap on her door.

"It's open," she called out, not turning.

"Sam? Can we talk for a minute? I can come back if you're busy," he said when he saw what she was doing.

Surprised, Sam dropped the device on the table and turned around.

"Daniel, what are you doing in here? I thought you were supposed to be under guard still."

"I- I just needed to talk to you. I can go if you want," he said, starting to turn.

Sam saw the disappointed look on his face and stopped him. "Daniel, wait. I'm sorry. Please stay. What did you want to talk about?"

Daniel came over and sat down on by Sam on a stool. He looked at her for a moment, then turned away and was fidgeting, as if very nervous.

"Daniel, what is it? Is something wrong?"

"I have to tell you something, but I don't know how to say it, or even if I should. I just don't know how you will take it."

"Daniel, you can tell me anything. We have been friends for years, nothing you could say would change that," she said, reaching out and gently touching his hand.

Daniel smiled. "That's what Janet said, too."

"Janet? What does she have to do with this?" Sam asked, confused.

"Never mind. I think I better just say it and get it over with. Then deal with the consequences." He paused, as if he were trying to find the words, or the courage to say them.

"Sam, I- I love you," he muttered softly.

"What?" Sam said, stunned.

"I love you, Sam," he repeated, stronger this time.

"Daniel, I don't think you know what you're saying. It's the drug. It's just messing with your mind. You don't love me."

"Sam, you don't understand. I do love you. It's not the drug. Sure, it probably helped me realize it, but I have been in love with you for some time now. I have just been in denial."

"Daniel, I think you are just confused, under the influence of this chemical those people gave us," she said, still unconvinced. "Once we get the cure, you will forget all about this love stuff, and we will still be just good friends, like we always have."

"Sam, I already have the cure. Janet gave it to me about an hour ago," he explained quietly.

"Oh." A stunned look came over Sam's face. "Then, you- you really do l-love me?" she asked.

Daniel nodded slowly. "And know I can see how you feel, I think. I know I shouldn't have told you and I know that you love Jack, but I just had to let you know how I felt," he said, disappointed. "I'll leave you alone and let you get back to work now."

He stood and headed for the door, leaving Sam sitting there stunned.

What are you doing? Did you see that look on his face? He loves you! Go after him.

"Daniel, wait," Sam cried out. She stood and ran over to him.

Daniel turned around at Sam's call, and stood by the doorway. "Yes?"

Sam came up to him, and slowly moved forward. "Daniel, I'm sorry."

"Sorry? For what? I'm the one that's sorry. I never should have come here and told you that."

"No, I'm glad you did."

"You are? Why?" he asked, confused.

"Because now I can do this," she said. Sam stepped forward, and leaned in to kiss Daniel.

Their lips met, and Sam moved closer so she was pressing against Daniel, putting her arms around him.

Stunned for a moment, Daniel didn't move. After a second, he got over the shock, and let his heart take over. He moved his hand up to her face and gently stroked her cheek. His other hand moved to her back and pulled her tightly against him. The kiss grew stronger, more passionate, lasting several moments.

Feeling she made her point, Sam stepped back to see a very shocked, but elated Daniel before her.

"I don't know what to say, Sam. Why-"

Sam cut him off before he could finish his question. "I don't love Jack, you fool. I love you," she explained, smiling. "I just didn't know how you felt, so I never said anything. I thought I loved Jack, but I realized awhile ago it would never work between us. But you and me, we get along so well. We have so much in common. I just could never bring myself to say anything, because I didn't want to ruin our friendship. It means so much to me, Daniel."

Daniel stepped forward again, and reached up to touch her face gently. "I love you so much, Sam." He leaned forward to kiss her again.

"I love you too, Daniel," she said before meeting his lips with hers.

The end