"How's it going?"

Sam heard Janet's voice as her friend stood behind her and looked over her shoulder at the computer screen.

"I'm almost done" Sam yawned. "Just a few more minutes"

"That's great" Janet said smiling. "But I actually meant life in general"

"Life is…good" Sam said distractedly.

"Oh, well, I'm convinced…"

"Really Janet, I'm okay" Sam insisted.

"Hey, if you don't want to talk about it, that's fine with me." Janet said dismissively.

"There's nothing to talk about" Sam's eyes were focused on the computer screen.

"Then I guess it's a good thing we're not talking about it" Janet said innocently.

"All right" Sam relented, turning from the computer. "What do you want to know?"

Janet sat down in the nearest chair. "How's the marriage?"

"Oh that's subtle" Sam said sarcastically.

"You did ask" Janet pointed out.

"You're right." Sam acquiesced. "But there's really not a lot to talk about."

"Honeymoon's over huh?" Janet asked dryly

"What honeymoon?" Sam asked morosely.

"As I recall you guys had two weeks off…"

"Would you like me to tell you how we spent those two weeks?" Sam grimaced.

"You're kidding"

Sam shook her head. "Who would have guessed we had so much to talk about hmm?"

"Oh Sam" Janet was sympathetic.

"I mean, it's not like we never…" Sam squirmed. "I mean, of course we have, but it's just so complicated when we do that I find myself avoiding it."

"Well look," Janet tried to be comforting. "You're still technically newlyweds. Maybe it's just taking time. Especially considering the circumstances…" Janet cringed inwardly. "It's only natural for you guys to have issues. That doesn't mean you can't work them out in time."

"Maybe" Sam considered "But there are other problems too. Just the normal, everyday stuff, the part I expected to be easy. I mean, it's not Daniel's fault" Sam said quickly. "He's perfect. He's sweet, considerate, always asking about my day, he doesn't complain when I work late, he gives me first dibs on the TV, he picks up his laundry…"

"And you're miserable" Janet finished.

Sam nodded. "I thought I could make it work, but he's almost too perfect. I keep wanting him to mess up, or to just once do something stupid. But then, I think if he did I'd probably end up jumping all over him about it because…" Sam shook her head.

"Because he's not Jack?" Janet supplied gently.

Sam's eyes welled up with tears. "I thought it would be better to be with Daniel than to be alone. I didn't think I could wait for Jack forever, and every time I tried to date a guy who wasn't part of the program it was screwed up. Daniel and I are perfect for each other. Well, maybe not perfect but we've always at least been good for each other. Which is more than I can say for me and Jack sometimes…" Sam got a far away look in her eye and she hastily brushed away a few escaping tears.

"Sometimes I thought things might get better somewhere along the line. Daniel's always been really understanding. But after we lost Jack…" Sam's voice caught. "Well it was hard for him too. And I couldn't be there for him. And I couldn't let him help me. I love him Janet. I really do. It's just that I can't stop thinking about Jack. I thought if there was anyone I could move on with it would be Daniel, because Daniel would understand, and I could always talk to Daniel about Jack." She sniffled.

"What I didn't think of was that we'd stop talking once we were together. I mean, what the hell was I thinking?" Sam asked angrily. "Did I really think I was gonna go home to Daniel and tell him how I thought about Jack all day? That I dream about him at night and scream his name in my dreams?"

"Sam can I ask you something?" Janet ached for her friends.

Sam nodded.

"If it's that bad, why are you still together?"

Sam sighed. "I don't know, I guess it's because the main reason we made the decision to be together is still there. We're still friend's, we still have feelings for each other. I know it's weird but we still get along better than any couple we know. Maybe he drives me insane, but he's a good man. And we really are there for each other. I don't think either of us wants to be the one to give up."

Janet smiled reassuringly. "Sometimes these things just take time." She said, not really believing it.

"Right" Sam said with matching uncertainty. "Time"