Title: Charred Barbeque

Summary: "Not exactly" and all that it implies. Insert for Ex Deus Machina

A/N: Written at two thirty in the morning because I couldn't sleep and this was making my head go crazy.


"So you're single now?"

"Not exactly."

Interesting how two words can convey such meaning without revealing anything at all. Had he known, like the rest of SG-1, of her background, her relationships, he would have known precisely what 'not exactly' meant. They had only met a few times, and he always caught her when she was on the brink of love; although, now, she thinks it could be more than that. She thinks she may have started something that could last for a long time. Maybe forever.

The relationship is frowned upon, but no longer against regulations, and that's something they can both deal with. Jack may have stuck it to the man more than once, but that was maybe the only line he fought not to cross, that is, until she left her fiancé for him and he accepted an upper level position associated with all the things he'd spent most of his career trying to avoid. She doesn't like to think that he did it for her—that's too much pressure on their relationship too soon, but he doesn't seem to mind coming home with paper cuts instead of broken bones.

Nine years is a long time to wait for man, but there are moments when she looks at him, without fear of someone else noticing, and sees a glimpse of the future; no Goa'uld, no spaceships, no wormholes, only charred barbeque and fish.

Her father had known, Daniel and Teal'c as well, and she wonders what other personnel saw the awkward tension and unfinished sentences and never said anything. It was only a subject brought up when one was in peril and the other was unable to help, frustrated with their inability and unable to hide their obvious distress. It had happened more than once, and she thinks this may be the reason why they are both still alive.

He's not there to protect her anymore, to save her, but Teal'c and Daniel have never let her down, and she trusts Mitchell. SG-1 may never be quite the same without Jack O'Neill, but at least she has him in her home, if not in her work.

They have to work at this, everyday, and they're not exactly perfect, but she thinks that over time, she'll develop a taste for overcooked fish and he'll learn how to make a better omelet, and she knows that nine years of waiting will be rewarded.

And besides, she doesn't want to give Agent Barrett any reason to hit on her.