A/N: I've increased the rating for a word in this chapter that I'm not sure about. Thank you so much for all the great reviews. I especially appreciate the people who let me know what their favorite lines are. The next update probably won't be for about a week and a half or so - quick trip to America for my sister's wedding!

Ch 4: THOR!

Jack sat in his truck, staring at Sam's front door. He hadn't seen or spoken to her since he had stomped out of the commissary earlier. Since then, he had done a lot of thinking, about a lot of things. And he hadn't really figured anything out.

But he had realized that he might have upset his 2IC. Some of the things he had said... she could have taken them the wrong way. Especially if she was over-thinking things. Which, let's face it, was what she did.

He had gone home, not liking the way everyone kept looking at him curiously. And to avoid Daniel the pop-psychologist. Then, realizing he needed to talk to Sam, he had been forced to ring the nosy archaeologist when his 2IC didn't answer in her lab.

Daniel told him the President, Hammond, and apparently a few other higher-ups were still considering Thor's request, and that Sam had gone home for the night.

He turned off his truck and got out, shoved his hands in his pockets, and walked up to her front door. He wasn't exactly sure what he was going to say, but felt like he should make a few things clear. He knocked loudly and waited impatiently.

Sam opened the door in surprise, dressed in a tee-shirt and jeans. "Hi," she finally offered, when he didn't say anything.

"Hey. Er, I just talked to Daniel. Still no 'official' word."

"Do you want to come in or something, sir?" she asked, confused as to why he was there. She had a phone. And a cell phone. And a pager, and several e-mail accounts. No need to stop by just to tell her there was no news.

"I just... what happened earlier. When I got so... upset... and left. I just wanted to make sure you understand that had nothing to do with you." He stopped, because she looked so surprised he was getting slightly worried. She didn't say anything though, so he kept talking while he still could.

"I mean obviously it's to do with you because of what they're asking but I just meant... I just hope you know that I... it's not that I don't... or haven't thought... I'm just mad at the way everyone's always controlling my life. And yours. Okay? That's it... I just wanted to make sure you... know that."

She finally nodded slightly, still surprised at the fact that he was even there, much less saying and more importantly not saying so much.

"Okay. Well... whatever they decide then... it doesn't have to mean that..." he trailed off, wincing.

"Let's just wait and see, okay, sir? Just... deal with that when it happens. Please," she said softly.

"Okay. I can do that. Night, Carter." He smiled for the first time all day and headed back to his truck.

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He wasn't asleep when the phone rang, so he answered it quickly. "O'Neill."

"Hi, Jack. I expected you to be asleep," Hammond's voice said over the phone. Jack glanced at the clock. Almost two.

"Not tired, sir."

"Well, the President has reached a decision, son, and I thought you'd like to know about it as soon as possible."

"I appreciate that, General."

"He's decided not to make any sort of deal with the Asgard regarding your personal lives. The whole thing is off. He felt that any formal agreement would put inappropriate pressures on both of you."

"I see," Jack said evenly.

Hammond sighed and said, "He was trying to do you both a favor, Jack, but... hell, I know you. I know you're mad about the bureaucratic bullshit, but... I'm not so sure we made the right call on this one."

"Don't worry about it, General. The decision's made anyway," Jack said vaguely. He suddenly remembered Cassie making him watch a bunch of 'Friends' episodes one night, and the Chandler guy saying, "Can opened, worms everywhere." Yup. That summed it up real nice.

"Did you call Carter?" he finally asked, realizing he should probably say something else to the General. It was really nice of him to stay up so late trying to help them out, and to call him personally and all.

"I'm going to do that now. Jack, it's Friday... take the weekend off, huh?"

"Yes, sir. I appreciate the call," Jack said as he hung up.

He stared at the phone. Well, okay, that was that. No harm, no foul. He hoped. He waited for a few minutes and tried Carter's number.

"Carter."

"It's me. You talk to Hammond?"

"Yes, sir, I just got off the phone with him."

"We still okay?" he asked, hoping he sounded a lot more casual than he felt at the moment.

"Yes, sir."

"Okay. Good. Hammond wants me to take the weekend off... it's probably a good idea. For me at least."

"Thor was worried you were upset with him," Sam blurted out suddenly. She wasn't sure why she said that just then, but it seemed important at the time.

Jack chuckled. "Well, next time I see him I'll be sure to give him a hug, Major," he said lightly. "See you Monday, Carter."

"Night, sir." He could tell she was smiling while she spoke.

He hung up the phone with a relieved sigh. Yeah. They'd be all right.

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When he woke up the next morning, Jack froze, momentarily disoriented. He knew where he was, he just didn't know how he got there. Which was never a good thing. As he stared up at the ceiling of the bedroom at his cabin, he thought carefully over last night's events. Nope. Flying to Minnesota definitely had not been on that list.

He jumped, terrified, as a loud, feminine, definitely pissed off and definitely familiar voice screamed, "THOR!"