Author's Notes: ' ' indicates dialogue between Jake and Selmak


There were days when Jack really enjoyed sitting in that command chair. Hanging back, issuing orders and sending people on their way. It was a blast having that kind of power! Jack quickly learned that being the MAN wasn't so bad. Especially since Jack considered himself to be a cool General to work for which is why he never bothered wearing the uniform like General Hammond did…not that Hammond wasn't cool!

For Jack, being a General was a lot easier on the body. He truly appreciated his body not seeing the action of getting shot at, thrown to the ground, whacked with a staff weapon, getting poked with a pain stick or getting zapped with a zat gun. For the first time in a long time, Jack had stayed injury free for several months in a row, unless you count stapling his finger by accident. However, after the stapler incident, as a precaution, Jack stuck with using paper clips on his paperwork.

Of course, being a General also meant much more responsibility and stress. Jack had no doubt that stress was the reason why Hammond had lost his hair! As a Colonel, Jack only had his unit to worry about when out in the field. Now that Jack had to worry about each individual at the SGC, from the guy who cleaned the toilets to Jack's right hand man, Sergeant Walter Davis, Jack was secretly checking his own hairline to make sure it wasn't slowly receding from the stress. Especially since Jack knew his stress levels were through the roof when his personnel were off world and in trouble. He knew just about all the dangers when traveling through the Stargate, having survived them…barely!

On such stress inducing days, he couldn't stand the sitting around and the waiting. Jack would always be a man of action. The urge to help those in need was always strong within him; being a General hadn't diminished his instincts to grab his P90 and head out through the Gate gun blazing. The only way to pacify those urges was to send help to those in need. Something Jack never hesitated to do, never caring that his ass was on the line on several of those occasions.

Just because Jack was a General didn't mean he had to stop being the man he was! He just had more power now to abide by his motto of never leaving a man or woman behind.

Today the need to help was overwhelming. Jack couldn't sit back and do nothing. He had to do something. Because this time it was extremely personal, not just for him but for many others as well and especially for a little bundle of joy in the infirmary.

Less than forty-eight hours ago, two Tok'ra delegates had arrived at the SGC, via the Stargate. Shortly after their arrival Jack had allowed Jake to go with them on an urgent mission. A mission Jack had been reluctant to send Jake on, not just because it was for the Tok'ra but they're timing had sucked. Jack had to take Jake away from Sarah! The man didn't get to hold her very long before Jack sent for him.

Ok, that was the reason Jack had tried to convince himself with. The real reason was that he didn't like the Tok'ra and didn't trust them. So what if it was his own personal feelings were telling him not to let Jake go. Jack really didn't give a shit if the Tok'ra needed Jake or not. But what really pissed off Jack was that they didn't need Jake and never even mentioned his name! The Tok'ra had ignored Jake because they only needed Selmak. Jack found it rather ironic and was quick to point out to the delegates how they had kicked their oldest and wisest Tok'ra out of the club and now needed him to come back.

Selmak wasn't happy about the whole situation either! Jack had never seen a Tok'ra so livid and had been surprised at how well Selmak used some of Earth's curse words. Selmak had only agreed to do the mission on the prerequisite that it be his final mission as a Tok'ra. He had made it quite clear that he belonged with the Tau'ri now. Earth was his home.

Jack was impressed. He never, ever thought he would trust a snake the way he had come to trust Selmak. At first Jack only trusted Selmak because of Jake. Jake was Carter's father and already a respected leader in the Air Force. Now that Jack had learned more about Selmak, he trusted Selmak as well and found it amusing when the snake gave him lip for trying to order him or Jake around.

"You wanted to see me, Sir?" Carter asked from the doorway of his office.

"Yes, take a seat Carter," he said, indicating for her to sit on one of the chairs in front of his desk. "Has your father always been a pain in the ass?"

"Sir?" she asked as she was sitting down.

"Jake, is really pushing it! It's bad enough Selmak gives me shit for ordering him and Jake around! Everything has to be a request with those two! I even have to say please!"

"How overdue are they?" she asked, failing to suppress a smile.

"Six hours," Jack sighed.

"I thought Selmak just had to do some translations of an ancient language only he knew about."

"You know the Tok'ra…always holding back the essential facts!" he snapped.

"Sir, I know my father and I've come to know Selmak very well…they'll come home," she smiled confidently.

Only Jack didn't share her confidence. Not after his experience with Kanan. An experience Jack wished he could forget entirely!

"I didn't want them to go," Jack admitted softly. "Jake came in here grinning from ear to ear smelling of baby puke! Baptism by vomit! It was disgusting! I didn't think anyone could be happy after such a thing! Well, anyone except for Jake. He couldn't have been any happier having Sarah puke on him. Hell, he was just so thrilled he actually got to hold the baby for the first time, even if the time was so short. He was going on and on about how beautiful she was and how Selmak thought it was so cute when Sarah spit up some of her milk. I reminded them it won't be so cute when she takes a crap and they're the ones stuck with changing the diaper!"

Carter laughed softly shaking her head. A characteristic she inherited from her father. After Jake decided to remain on Earth, Jack noticed a lot of characteristics Carter had in common with her father. Though to look at their physical attributes one would never guess that Samantha was Jake's daughter. And according to Jake he wouldn't have it any other way because Sam looked like her mother.

Jack wouldn't have it any other way either.

"Yeah, well to each his own," Jack smiled warmly at her, forgetting for a moment that he was a General and her superior officer.

"Sir?" Carter asked, looking a little nervous, snapping Jack back into General mode.

"Right, the Joint Chief's have made it clear I can't send help this time," Jack explained. "Not that I know where to send help because the damn Tok'ra aren't telling me squat! So, I've recalled Teal'c. As soon as he gets here, SG-1 is going on a mission to make contact with the Jaffa rebel leaders in the hopes that we can at least find out where your father is."

"Thank you, Sir," she smiled in appreciation, but then dutifully added, "Isn't that still going against orders, Sir?"

"Hey, all they said was to not send help. They didn't say anything about inquiring where he might be. Besides, I promised Janet that I would do something. She came in here crying her eyes out going on about how she wouldn't be able to cope if she lost Jake and Selmak after losing them in her reality. At first I thought it was because she only saw Jake as her husband. But she was very adamant and even mentioned that she was beginning to fall in love with Jake."

Carter smiled, "I was hoping something like this would happen between them."

"Well, nothing's going to happen the way Jake keeps dragging his feet! At the rate he's going, you and I will be married before he ever makes a move with Janet!"

That comment really got Carter nervous. Jack found it rather amusing that she didn't even know what to say.

"You know…Sam…this whole Janet and Jake issue has really got me thinking…about us…"

The alarms sounded and Walt's voice sounded over the speaker system indicated that an incoming traveler was on route.

"That should be Teal'c," Jack said as they both got to their feet but before they left his office, Jack gently took hold of Sam's arm, "You and I will talk later."

Jack didn't give her a chance to reply as he quickly made his way to the Control Room. He wasn't even sure if she was following him until he was standing behind Walt and saw her standing there out of the corner of his eye.

"Any signal?" Jack asked seeing that a worm hole had been established.

"Yes…it's General Carter's emergency code, Sir," Walt quickly replied.

"Open the iris!" Jack ordered as he reached for the microphone. "Heads up people!"

Once the iris was opened, weapons fire, typical of a Jaffa's staff weapon, erupted from the event horizon. After three or four blasts, Jack was cringing at the thought of the damage report he was going to have to fill out. He knew it was going to take more than some spackle and a coat of paint to fill in and cover the holes in the concrete walls!

A few agonizing seconds later, Jake finally came running down the ramp.

"Close the iris!" Jake shouted as he was running.

"Do it!" Jack reiterated even though he saw Walt already initiating the command on his computer console. "Get a medical team down here!"

Jack saw Sam was already heading down the stairs to the Gate Room and he was quick to join her. Before they even reached Jake, Jack saw the man's blue fatigues were tattered and he had very prominent burn mark on his forehead. It wasn't at all difficult for Jack to conclude what had happened to his friends.

"Jake, you look like hell!" Jack joked, welcoming Jake home in typical Jack fashion. "I see you and Selmak still know how to make friends out there!"

"Thanks, Jack," he said sarcastically then grimaced clutching his side. Jack immediately helped Jake to sit down on the steps of the ramp. "But I had to get home. I made a promise. Plus, Selmak didn't want to suffer the humiliation you would no doubt put us through if you had to save us!"

"Me? Jake, I wouldn't do that," Jack smiled devilishly.

Jake rolled his eyes and shook his head. Both men knew Jack wouldn't hesitate to rub it in again and again, over and over!

"Try to relax Dad, Janet will be here in a minute," Sam smiled.

"What?"

"She is the CMO, it's her job," Jack said as Jake attempted to get back on his feet.

"Jack, I don't want her to see me like this! She's been through enough already!" Jake gritted through his teeth.

"Yeah, about that…when are you going to ask her out on a date?" Jack asked, helping Jake on his feet.

"I was beginning to think he and Selmak were trying to weasel their way out of the date Selmak already volunteered them for!" Janet's voice sounded from behind Jack.

Jack had to give Janet her dues. The little woman knew exactly how to handle men like Jack and Jake. It took all of Jack's will not to laugh at the way she ordered Jake to lay down on the gurney threatening to stab him in the ass with a needle if he didn't follow her orders. Then both Jack and Sam had to walk away, giggling when Jake, the toughest two star General, symbiote included, immediately complied with Janet's orders with this bewildered look on his face making sure his rear was as far away from Janet as possible.

"Now that Jake's in good hands, we can have that talk," Jack grinned to Sam.


When Jake and Selmak had quickly stopped by the infirmary to see Sarah before going on their mission, Janet wasn't worried. During that moment, all Janet had been able to think about was how happy Sarah was in Jake's arms and how happy he was to be holding her. She had smiled at how nervous Jake was when she wished him well on his mission, whereupon Selmak came forward promising Janet that they would be gone for two days, no more. Even then, Janet didn't worry. Jacob and Selmak always returned from their missions on time and in good health. Janet didn't think any differently about Jake and Selmak.

While they had been away, Janet came to a decision. Because Jake and Selmak obviously had their doubts, Janet decided it would be best if she allowed them to dictate how the relationship with her would develop. Jake appeared content with just being Sarah's father. But Janet could see into Jake's eyes when he was in control. Those brief glimpses she caught were enough to tell her how he truly felt towards her. It was simply a matter of time before he would give into those feelings. Janet simply had to learn to be patient.

Though, by nature, Janet wasn't a very patient person…when it came to knowing exactly whom she wanted to be with. Like in her reality where she had pursued Jacob! The poor man never even had a chance to catch his breath. Janet hadn't allowed him to. Even Selmak had been stunned by Janet's boldness and didn't have any words of advice for Jacob to defend himself. The pair had been a challenge, one well worth her efforts because once they were over their shock they fell madly in love with her.

However, in this reality, Janet didn't want to frighten both Jake and Selmak away by her audacity. She knew she would have to control herself and not act impulsively. While it was against her nature to be…reserved, Janet was equally determined in this reality as she was in the other. She was willing to do whatever was necessary to get what she wanted…what she needed.

When Janet had first learned that Jake and Selmak were overdue from their mission, she had never been so distraught in her entire life, except when she lost her husband. She had nearly been overcome by her feelings of guilt for not giving Jake and Selmak a real chance. Janet had just opened up and allowed them into her heart and was afraid of losing them. Janet didn't hesitate to hurry to Jack's office begging through her tears for him to find Jake and Selmak and to bring them home. She didn't think she would be able to recover if she lost them again. Once was enough, to lose them again would be…devastating.

That moment she saw Jake standing there in Gate Room with that worried look on his face, the same worried look he would get when he realized he was causing Janet some kind of emotional distress, Janet was so relieved she nearly burst into tears. But she had held that first impulse in check. And because he wasn't her husband she resisted the urge to rush over to him, wrap her arms around him and kiss him deeply. Hell, she had even been proud of herself when she resisted the urge to give him hell for putting her through the anguish of not knowing what had happened to him or if he was even returning.

But to resist her impulses took a tremendous amount of effort. During the exams it took all her will power to keep her hands from trembling. She had never seen Jacob or Selmak injured, not once! It upset Janet deeply to see Jake and Selmak in such condition. The bruises, the broken ribs, the broken arm, the burn on Jake's forehead and even the lesions on Selmak told Janet they pair had been brutally tortured. She recognized the symptoms having seen them before.

It was too much for her to bear.

As she was covering them up with the blanket, after Jake and Selmak were finally resting comfortably on the infirmary bed in their private room, Janet could no longer keep her emotions in check. She had never been any good at hiding her emotions anyway.

"Janet, don't worry," Jake smiled warmly, stubbornly fighting the sedative she had given him to make him rest. He gently took hold of her hand and held it against his chest. "Selmak and I have been through this before. We can handle it."

Janet gasped and Jake's eyes flashed white. They've been through this before? Jake's words were like a dagger in her heart. What other kind of pain have he and Selmak had to endure? Could that be the reason why they're so reserved and afraid to allow her into their hearts? Janet let a few tears roll down her cheeks.

"Please, Janet, do not cry. It torments both Jake and I when you cry. The injuries are not as severe as they seem. I will have Jake's and my injuries healed within a day. Hopefully in time to still take you and Sarah home, like Jake had promised."

"I'm sorry…"

"You have nothing to apologize for!" Selmak insisted, squeezing Janet's hand. "It is we who are sorry it took so long to come home. We did not mean to make you have to suffer."

"You're both home, that's what matters," she smiled, then kissed them on the forehead.

"Janet…Jake still isn't ready," Selmak sighed. "He's sleeping right now which is why I can tell you…"

"I know, he has his doubts."

Selmak smiled, "You must be patient with him. He will come around. I promise you."

"And you?"

Janet was a little surprised when Selmak turned away. Jake she could understand. But an arrogant, I can do no wrong, symbiote like Selmak it was…unfathomable!

"Selmak?"

"Jake's doubts are my doubts. His love for you is my love for you. We are together in this matter and ask that you be patient…" Selmak turned towards Janet and smiled, "…for both of us."

"I can't promise you that I will behave but I will try," Janet smiled devilishly.

"Janet, I am not asking you to promise anything," Selmak smirked. "And I am not asking you to stop being the woman that you are!"

Janet grinned, realizing that with Selmak on her side Jake didn't have a chance.

"Rest Selmak. Get well soon. I wouldn't want Jake to feel bad for breaking his promise to Sarah..."

"And you!"

"And me," Janet whispered as Selmak finally feel asleep.

When Janet was confident both Jake and Selmak were in a deep slumber, Janet left them. Only she returned a few minutes later with Sarah and had one of the Airmen bring a cot into Jake and Selmak's private room. This way Janet could be near everyone she cared deeply for.

And in the morning, Janet woke up and smiled at the sound of Jake's voice as he talked affectionately to Sarah. Opening her eyes, she saw he was still in his infirmary pajamas, his injuries appeared healed and he was standing beside his infirmary bed. To her surprise he appeared to be changing or attempting to change Sarah's diaper by himself!

"Sarah, how can such a tiny thing make such a huge mess! You're lucky I can hold my breath for a long time!" he cooed at the baby. "I might have to wake your mommy up so she can give you a bath! Otherwise, I'm going to use the entire box of baby wipes on your butt!"

Sarah merely gurgled in response to him.

"Oh, you think its funny that Daddy isn't very good at this diaper changing thing? At least you don't move around much…yet. Your big sister used to crawl away, bare butt and all before I could even grab another diaper to put on her! It was pointless to try, I could never get the damn thing on her right!"

Janet couldn't help but laugh at the image.

"Well, don't just laugh at me, give me a hand!" he pleaded looking towards her. "It's bad enough Selmak's in there giving me instruction in Goa'uld! I highly doubt she's ever changed a diaper before because I can't tell if the instructions are for changing a diaper or creating a naquadah bomb!"

Janet laughed even harder as she got up and moved to stand beside him. He had all of the mess cleaned up off Sarah's little behind. Though in typical male fashion, he had used way too many baby wipes. Really, it's only poop! It's not toxic waste even though it did smell rather disgusting!

"Alright, Daddy, I'll show you how it's done," she smiled, quickly making a neatly bundled package of the messy diaper before setting it aside. "I'm sure you'll be a pro in no time!"

"I don't have much of a choice, do I?" he asked as she handed him the fresh diaper.

"No, you don't," Janet smiled, letting her hand slid slowly up and down his back. "How are you and Selmak doing?"

"We're fine," he answered, quickly glancing her way before turning his attention back to Sarah.

"Good. Today is my day off. After we get Sarah changed and fed you can take us home. Just like you promised."

"I might have to be debriefed first," he replied, looking down at her.

"Nope, Jack said you can turn your report in when you're ready," Janet smiled. "So, you and Selmak are not getting out of that date so easily!"

Janet felt his back stiffen slightly when she mentioned the 'date' word. But he was sneaky, not letting his uneasiness show by changing the subject.

"So, is there an instruction manual on how to do this?" he asked holding up the clean diaper.

Because of what he and Selmak had just been through, Janet let it slide. But she didn't back off either. While she was giving them instructions and helpful hints on putting the diaper on, her hands didn't hesitate to help guide Jake's hands, with her own, as they put Sarah's diaper on…together.

By the time Sarah was in a fresh set of clothes she had had enough and was ready to eat. Her quiet fussiness had grown into all out tears and wailing. When it dawned on Jake that Janet was going to feed Sarah, he got extremely nervous, stammering over his words as he quickly made his way towards the door. Janet giggled to herself after he left as she settled herself down on a chair.

"Don't worry Sarah. Your Daddy will come around. I promise you," Janet cooed, getting Sarah comfortable for her feeding. "You just stay as beautiful as you are and he can't resist…either of us."


Selmak was so disappointed when Jake abruptly left Janet alone with the baby that she forgot to laugh at the klutz as he tripped over his own feet on his way out of the door. She had been having so much fun watching Sarah's little eyes roll back and forth from Jake to Janet as they were talking. Selmak even thought it was so cute the way Sarah was drooling all over her little hand that was half way in her mouth!

'Jake, I wanted to watch Sarah eat! She is so adorable when she's eating.'

'Selmak, that would be so inappropriate!'

'Why?'

'I shouldn't have to explain it to you, Selmak the all knowing!'

'Jake, I do not understand why you are so nervous. Breastfeeding is a very natural function of a mother.'

'Really? You don't see how inappropriate it is for a man to be in a room with a mother while she's breastfeeding her child when that man is not her husband or her lover?'

'No,' Selmak replied, knowing exactly what Jake meant.

She was purposely being a pain causing Jake threw his hands up in the air letting out a sigh of frustration as they entered their quarters. Selmak had to refrain from laughing at him. She only succeeded in annoying Jake even further because he knew she was trying not to laugh!

'I still do not see why you are so nervous about it,' Selmak continued. 'You yourself have seen them on several occasions. In fact, you seem somewhat obsessed with them!'

'I am not obsessed! And I have never seen Janet's breasts!'

'That's what you say now but I know what you're thinking!' Selmak snickered, knowing that would really get Jake going! She even paused for added effect before adding, 'You even thought they were quite nice!'

'Selmak!'

'Jake, there is nothing wrong the feelings you're having! They're perfectly natural. Janet's a beautiful woman.'

'Selmak…take a cold shower or something!'

Selmak giggle uncontrollably at him and Jake did his best to ignore her. But after a few moments, Selmak finally remained quiet so that Jake could calm down. She even respectfully closed her eyes while Jake quickly showered! However, she could only remain quiet for so long and she just loved to purposely tease him!

'I used to have breasts!' she commented as he was getting dressed making him drop his boots.

'Selmak, I know I'm your first male host,' he replied, quickly composing himself. 'But I really didn't need to hear that! Having your memories is bad enough!'

'Then you know they weren't as nice as Janet's…'

'For crying out loud!'

'Jake, what's the problem!'

'I don't' know! Janet was being just a little too touchy feely…it was making me nervous!'

'What did you expect? We almost didn't come home!' Selmak roared at him.

That silenced him.

'Jake, you need a good kick in the behind! All she's doing is trying to reach out to you…to us. She cares for us.'

'Are you one hundred percent positive it's us she's reaching out to? I do look exactly like her dead husband! And you look like her dead husband's pain ass, truly annoying, never knows when to keep her mouth shut symbiote!'

'Jake, you really need to pull your head out of your ass! I know you have doubts. I had them too. But what about taking a chance? The worst Janet could do is say no. And I do know when to keep my mouth shut!'

Jake sighed, sitting on the bed. Selmak could hear his thoughts. She did her job well today, setting things in motion. Jake loved Janet. He was just afraid…afraid of hurting Janet…afraid of losing her, much like he lost his wife. He didn't know if he could go through such an experience again. However, what he feared most was that Janet would never love him for who his is.

But Selmak knew how Janet felt about Jake now and knew he just needed a gentle nudge in the right direction to get over his fears. Selmak didn't see anything wrong with being the one to do the pushing. After a few subtle hints here, a subliminal message there, Jake and Janet will be together! Then everyone's happy! Selmak included!

'Let's go Jake, I'm sure Janet's waiting for us now.'

Jake nodded even though he didn't have to because he already mentally agreed with her.

Selmak would have given him a harder push about Janet but knew today was not the day. Today was already a rough enough day for Jake; a day they both knew would come and was the reason why they volunteered to drive Janet and Sarah home. A day where Jake was extremely happy Sarah was finally going home with her mother while at the same time he was also extremely downhearted because he would no longer be able to visit Sarah various times throughout the day. Even now, as he carried the baby seat through the tunnels of the SGC, with sleeping Sarah in it, his thoughts lingered on how much he was going to miss seeing the little baby on a daily basis.

When following Janet to the car, Selmak had to smile to herself. She could sense Jake's thoughts were also about Janet and how he was grateful for the chance to still see her on a regular basis at the SGC. The only problem was that every time Jake thought of Janet all those damn doubts of his kept popping up. The man was being unbelievably stubborn and refused to let them go, letting them churn in his mind over and over. Just like he was doing now!

Only now, because the roads were hazardous due to the snow and ice, Selmak couldn't tell him to let go of his fears and doubts. She couldn't tell him that everything was going to be just fine. She didn't want Jake to be distracted while he drove. Even Janet remained quiet.

Quiet, yet watchful.

While Jake's attention was focused on the road, Selmak could see what he couldn't and she saw Janet glancing over at Jake from time to time. Even smiling once and a while. Oh yeah, Selmak knew exactly how Janet felt towards Jake…how she felt towards them both. The problem was that Jake couldn't see it for himself. Selmak wanted to help him understand that Janet did see him for the man he was. But Jake wasn't the kind of man who couldn't be forced into anything.

That didn't mean that Selmak was going to give up. She knew Janet wasn't going to give up either. Selmak just prayed that Janet could be patient a little while longer to allow Jake the time to come around.

'What are you brewing in there?' Jake suddenly asked as he brought the car to a slow stop at a stop sign.

'Nothing, I was just listening to Sarah. Sounds like she's been drooling up a storm back there!'

The car moved again. What Selmak said wasn't a lie; she had been listening to Sarah making her baby noises. It was the only sound in the car other than the heater. Selmak really enjoyed the sound of that baby gurgling over her own drool. And when the opportunity presented itself, Selmak made Jake glance back to see that Sarah's eyes were wide open. Her curiosity was peaked and she appeared determined not to miss anything. And of course, the drool was flowing down her tiny chubby chin.

'See, told you she was drooling,' Selmak sighed.

Selmak felt Jake's smile and his mood improved for the rest of the drive. He even struck up a conversation with Janet about how much he missed the snow. Mentioning and making joke about how the Tok'ra always preferred desert planets and that the sand always ended up getting everywhere in his clothes and other unmentionable places! At least with the snow it could melt and Selmak kept him from getting cold!

Then, when they reached Janet's house, Selmak wished for a foot so she could give Jake a swift kick in his ass. He was back to his gloomy state, keeping Janet at arm's length. Bless Janet for not giving up on Jake and taking the initiative by wrapping her arm around his waist.

"Jake, it's alright," Janet smiled, pulling him into her house with one arm while holding Sarah in her other arm. "Sarah's your daughter too."

"But this is your home."

"Jake, you are more than welcome here," she insisted. "Come on, help me get Sarah settled into her room. You can stay as long as you want."

"Don't say that, you might have to kick me out!" he joked, following her up the stairs.

"I'm sure Selmak will take care of any bruises on your rear if I'm forced to kick you out!"

'Maybe you should tell her about the time you fell on that Arillian thorn bush!' Selmak giggled. 'And how you wouldn't let anyone pull the thorns from your ass!'

'I seem to recall, you were the one that tripped and fell. I wasn't in control of my body at the time!'

Selmak instantly stopped laughing. She purposely forgot about that minor detail. It was just so easy to blame Jake because he was kind of a klutz since blending with her. She firmly believed it was always his fault each time they were injured because she never had a klutzy host before. Or maybe it was because she was female and he was male and the two didn't always mesh?

No! Selmak was sure of it…Jake was a klutz. A klutz who was…

'Jake, what are you doing?'

'Nothing!' he replied quickly.

'You were looking at her legs!'

'I was not! She dropped the blanket! I was merely picking it up for her!'

'Then why are you blushing? Don't deny it! I can feel those cheeks are rosy!'

"Thanks Jake, can you get me another blanket for her?" Janet asked, attempting to suppress a smile.

"Sure," Jake replied.

'Jake, it's alright.'

'What?' he asked, rummaging through the dresser for the blanket he bought for the baby.

'The feelings you have for Janet.'

'I know they're alright! You keep reminding me!'

'She has feelings for us too,' Selmak added.

'Selmak, are you so sure about that?'

"Jake, why don't you get Sarah settled down," Janet said, moving to where Jake was standing. "I'll go downstairs and make us something to eat. It will be part of our date."

'Jake, don't be rude! Answer the lady! Or I'll answer for us both!'

"Uh…ok," he replied nervously.

"Good, come down when you're both ready!" Janet smiled, giving Jake's arm a gently squeeze.

'See! She does have feelings for us!' Selmak cheered after Janet left the room.

'I don't know, Selmak.'

'Baby steps Jake, we'll take baby steps.'

'Selmak, I'm not so sure we should even try.'

'You love her, don't you?'

'That's not the point. She still needs time to mourn her husband and her friends.'

'But you do love her.'

'Selmak…I'm so confused right now! I'm not seeing things clearly!'

Selmak sent him that warm fuzzy feeling of reassurance and he relaxed…a little. She could sense his confusion and doubts and understood them because she once shared them. But Selmak knew how Janet felt and Selmak knew once Jake was over his doubts he would see how Janet felt about him…about them.

'In time Jake, you'll see things more clearly. I promise.'