Sam sat at her workbench, papers strewn out in front of her. But she wasn't looking at them. Instead she was gazing at a photograph; the one she carried with her everywhere. It was taken six years previously, when her hair was a little longer, Daniel's was a lot longer, Jack's was still brown and Teal'c's… well Teal'c didn't have hair at that point.

Their first photo as a team. It was sacred to her. It reminded her of what they used to be… and what they would never be again.

'Are you sure about this choice?' Anise stood at the other side of the room, watching her.

'Yeah,' Sam looked up, 'I gave it a lot of thought. Truth be told I've been thinking about it for a while now.' She looked at the Tok'ra, 'I do love him.'

'I do not understand the Tauri.' Anise replied, 'If you feel love for one another, do you not express it?'

'We do…' Sam smiled, 'It's just… when you work with someone, starting a relationship with them can cause problems… especially if the relationship ends badly. Which is why the air force regulations prevent inter-force relationships. This way I'm not air force or subject to its regulations.'

'But in choosing this path you give up a profession you clearly love.'

'It's worth it in the end.' She looked back to the photo, studying his face carefully. This way, she thought, if she acted on her feelings and he reacted well they could see if it would work… and if he rejected her, she could move on.

'He won't.'

Sam looked up, alarmed at the sound of Daniel's voice, 'Daniel… what are you… how did you… is Jack…'

'I thought you might like to talk, your dad let me in and no Jack is not with me.' Daniel anticipated the end of her sentences.

'You always could understand me best.' Sam replied, hugging him tightly, 'I've wanted to talk to you for the longest time.'

'I know.' Daniel sat beside her, 'I managed to get Dr Cassidy to order Jack to take a break from the SGC, for now at least. I really did think he was going to have a hernia.'

Sam laughed quietly, 'How bad is it?'

'Oh you know, its Jack so he's losing it a bit. He misses you.' Daniel looked at her, 'Resignation? Really Sam?'

'It's the only solution; you know that.'

'Yeah, but I wasn't sure who would go first… although Teal'c wanted to wager that it would be Jack a while ago. Jack is not a good influence on him.' Daniel smiled, 'Though I should call him on that bet.'

She smiled and they sat in a moment of comfortable silence. 'You know,' Daniel took her hand, 'I always thought that I hadn't been with Sha'ri and hoped to save her so much… that you and I would have been something.' He smiled at her, 'But now you're more like a sister to me.'

'Older or younger?' Sam joked.

'I haven't decided yet.'

'You are one of the few people who know everything about me.' Sam told him, 'I've had only two best friends in my life; Janet and you. I mean, you knew about me and Jack before me and Jack did. Thank you for being here.'

'No problem,' Daniel replied, 'You know I'm always here for you.' He looked at the photograph in her hand, 'You know, I always liked that picture, but it gives me to many flashbacks.' He stood, 'I'd better get back before a certain general realises I'm gone.' He kissed her cheek gently, 'Hopefully, I'll see you soon?'

'Yeah.' Sam replied.

Daniel walked to the door and looked back, 'And Sam?'

'Yeah?'

'He won't reject you... he can't.'

A/N: I'm working on the next couple of chapters already!