Ch2.

"As you can see, the two creatures try to make sure they are not seen, always hiding, forever escaping peril and saving the world." Bregman whispered as he tilted the camera over to where his targets where sitting.

He'd been forced to do the camera work himself, seeing as both his airmen assistants had said they'd rather take a bullet than piss off "Colonel Memo" as Bregman now fondly referred to him as.

Still, at least this way, he got the credit. All of it.

It was strange that his subjects hadn't noticed him yet. It was true he was using a hand held smaller camera like Dr Jackson's, but you think, being seasoned officers and all, they would notice when "the Enemy" appeared.

Or they could just be ignoring him.

He continued to narrate, zooming in on Sam Carter smiling.

"And once again, Jack O'Neill has been able to make Samantha Carter smile at a joke, that's lets face it, can't be that intelligent-this is O'Neill people."

Carter's smile become more strained, which showed Bregman she had heard him. This was an opportunity.

"In fact," he carried on in a louder whisper, "It has to be asked, what could these two officers possibly have in common that they could be talking about? What would make Major Carter smile that wouldn't make Colonel O'Neill's head spin?"

Jack's shoulder clenched for a moment then he released them, proving he didn't care. Sam couldn't let things go that quickly. She looked as if she was about to get up, but Jack put a hand on her arm to stop her, they conferred quickly, using only head shakes and eye contact it seemed.

"So Carter," Jack started loudly, "How's the experiment on the decay rate of naquadah going? Is it, as I predicted, proportional to the increase in electronic charge?"

"Yes sir, but we're still having a little trouble getting accurate results."

"Try reversing the polarity." He suggested offhandedly.

"Yes, sir I was going to try that but it was getting late and I didn't want to miss the Simpsons, it was a Halloween special." She grinned.

"Oh, I wouldn't know Major, I only watch it on occasion." He smirked. They stared pointedly at Bregman and his camera.

"And there it is, audience, proof positive, that years working together can cause you to work in code, one that only the two of you can understand. And surely, causing two people to go against what they enjoy doing, to try new things they wouldn't usually try, is that not proof of love?"

Bregman smiled. Carter rolled her eyes.

"Chill Carter, he'll get bored soon. And if not I'll make sure he disappears. Finish your Jell-O."

"I'd rather throw it over an annoying reporter. You know I spent time trying to explain the gate functions to them, and they just stared at me blankly like I was speaking another language?" She said, sighing again.

Jack stared at her blankly.

"...Yeah like that."

"That's what I do every time you start a sentence with "theoretically", or "interestingly", or "unusually", pick a word, any word." He said, deadpan.

"Yes, but at least I know you actually get what I'm saying-most of the time. And you at least try not to make me feel like a massive geek."

"You are a geek."

"There are worse people! I mean, when we're on downtime, I go home now!" She said loudly.

Neither of them mentioned the reasons she went home at weekends now. Her dating was still something they didn't talk about unless it came up.

"I guess Felger's worse than you." He said grudgingly.

"I like Felger, he just gets a bit carried away...and I wouldn't want to spend too long in the lab with him."

"Yeah, well he likes you too."

"Well seeing as I've saved his ass from getting fired a few times, I should hope so." She shrugged.

"No, I mean he LIKES YOU likes you." Jack said, enunciating obviously.

An offensive nasal whine whispered in the background.

"...And the alpha male subtly shows his jealously towards the females other admirers. Maybe, once again, like during the time the team became primitive, the Colonel will once again beat a friend to a pulp to protect his Major from unwelcome affections."

Both Jack and Sam turned to look at Bregman. He shrugged and smiled.

"What Colonel, are you denying you beat up Dr Jackson because he said he cared about Major Carter, and was going to see her when she got stabbed?"

"Sir?" Carter asked with curiosity.

"Aw, for crying out loud, I was under the influence of that touched disease-which you gave me I'll remind you Carter!" He sighed,

"And I apologised to Daniel, I even sent him a fruit basket!"

"Anyway it was my fault, I caught it from sg3, and then the Colonel caught it from me." Sam said.

"Yes, how did the Colonel catch that disease from you Major? I don't believe it was airborne?" Bregman asked innocently.

"I attacked him. The disease of the touched made you much more violent, pushing back logic and relying on instinct. And my primitive instinct told me the Colonel was a threat, I suppose." Sam elaborated.

"And tell me Major," Bregman asked, checking his notes briefly,

"Do you generally go and change into revealing tank tops before you attack men?"

"D'oh".