CHAPTER SIX

AN: Just so you know, my sister had a gorgeous baby boy called Jerrom who is just the cutest baby I have ever seen. I am so in love with him! And my sister and brother-in-law are too! He was crying and me and my sister sang him to sleep while my brother-in-law rocked him. It was beautiful! Aww . Yep I am Auntie Nay!

AN: To get the real effect of the speech I would suggest reading it aloud, using expressions and keeping in mind the commas and punctuation. . :D Anyway, on with the story!

It seemed only too soon, that his turn came around. He stood up clearing his throat, sensing Daniel holding his breath in anticipation, and began to speak…

'Well… what can I say really? Sam, you've been under my command in the Air Force for nearly nine years.' Jack had rehearsed in his mind, the points he was going to talk about. 'During these nine years Sam has been a smart, dedicated member of the team, showing proficiency in all areas except… cooking, sewing and her social life. Yep, I've told her many times to get a life and… now she has one. I never thought I'd see the day when she would walk down the aisle. I guess I'd always hoped it would be me she would be walking towards. I've never seen her look happier. And Pete, you better keep it that way, mate.' A small rumbling of laughter rose up from the guests. 'And, uh, now that Sam's going to be moving to North Carolina, well lets just say our base is gonna go soo downhill without her. And though we've trained someone to replace her job, there is no way anyone could ever replace a friend like Sam. I speak for Daniel and Murray as well.

'We've been like family, the team, and I know you agree.' He looked at Sam, with an affectionate smile playing on lips. 'There are no words that describe just how much I'll- we'll miss you. But we know you'll be happy…because you have a wonderful husband who loves you.' Jack felt his stomach sicken as the two newlyweds shared a loving glance. ' And I know you two will last, and you'll have a beautiful family, and a happy life with them.' His voice cracked slightly and he felt his eyes moisten with tears. Crap!

'I couldn't be happier for you, Samantha. We all love you.' Jack glanced at Sam, she was smiling up at him. He wondered if he also realised that he was saying he LOVED her. Probably not…maybe that was a good thing. But in that second that Sam looked up at him, catching his gaze, he allowed himself, just for a second, to get lost in her eyes. One. Last. Time.

'So, I make a toast to my dear friend and her husband. May your lives be filled with happiness. Happiness that will bless your lives, and the lives of your loved ones.'

'To happiness…' the rest of the guest echoed. Jack raised his glass to his lips and drunk deeply. Yep, I'm drinking to her happiness while I'm drinking away my own, he thought bleakly as the red wine slid smoothly down his throat.

Sam shot him a warm smile and mouthed 'thankyou, Jack.' He gave, what he thought must look like a painful smile, back. Well it gave him pain to give it. It gave him pain to wish her happiness with Pete, when she must move so far away from him.

Jack sat back down. The speeches had ended and everyone began digging into the wedding dinner.

Jack reached past Daniel who was sitting next to him to grab the salt and peppershakers to put on his mashed pumpkin and corned beef. 'Mmm.' His eyes closed as he put forkful of it in his mouth, savouring the taste.

'Eat up, Daniel.' He said as he saw his friend slowly cutting his meal without much vigour, and not paying attention to the wafting smells of the delicious food around him. Daniel was looking elsewhere and Jack followed his gaze to Sam and Pete. They were sitting just seats away from him and Sam was talking and laughing to Pete's dad. Wow, how interesting, he thought sarcastically. 'Daniel, what's wrong? Why aren't you eating?' Daniel, startled turned his gaze away from the couple to guiltily face Jack. 'Huh? Oh, I was just thinking about… oh, never mind.' Hoping Jack would just leave it at that, he began to eat really fast as if to say 'there's nothing wrong with me.' But Jack was not so easily fooled. He had some idea of what Danny was thinking about. It wasn't very hard to guess considering who he was looking at.

'Whatever Daniel.' He said, as if he couldn't care less. You do your thing, I'll do mine.' Jack turned back to his meal.

'You gave a wonderful speech, Jack.' Daniel said, deciding to speak. 'Surprisingly sentimental. And I recognised the inner meaning in it.' Jack opened his mouth to cut him off, but Daniel went on. 'Just let me finish, Jack,' he said with a sharp glance. 'Look at her, Jack. Look. You just gave her a beautiful toast. Told her you lover her, wished her happiness…. And she doesn't even realise or acknowledge it. I never thought I would be disappointed in her.' Jack tried to keep from shouting at Daniel. 'For crying out loud, Danny. It's her wedding day, giver her a break. She probably did realise it, and if she didn't, I don't really care. She is married now and has a husband. She doesn't have to acknowledge it. She made a vow to Pete. Not me, not anyone else.' He gave an exasperated sigh. 'So, let's just forget anything I said about her under alien influence or otherwise. And keep things the way they are. And never discuss this again.' Jack held his hand out to Daniel. 'Agreed?' Reluctantly Daniel shook his hand. 'I'm sorry, Jack. I'm sorry you're so stubborn!' Daniel stood up abruptly causing a few people, including Sam, to look at him. 'I am going to get myself a lovely glass of tequila from the bar, Jack.' He said rather loudly to make the staring people disinterested. 'Would you like to join me?'

Jack looked up at Daniel, remembering his former oath. 'No thanks, Spacemonkey. I'm not drinking tonight. But I'll have a coke…'

'Don't want to embarrass "my girl" do you?' said a laughing voice. He looked towards the head of the table to see Pete grinning rather gloatingly at him. Sam next to him had gone slightly red at his remark. Jack gave Pete a narrow stare, and was about to open his mouth and shut him down. But it was something in Sam's eyes that made him stop. Pete was right, he didn't want to embarrass her. She didn't deserve that; no matter how much Pete did.

Instead he opted for a small vague smile and ignored all other comments from the guests. He could feel their eyes on him, staring at him. Jack quickly finished the last forkful of his food and went to join Daniel at the bar with his wonderful coke while the waited for the cake.

End of Chapter Six!

I wanted Pete shut down by Jack but decided that Jack wouldn't want to embarrass Sam by saying something meant to him. You see he really does care for her, much more than that evil Pete guy.

Yay for Carrie Underwood! We just got the finale of American Idol in Aussie and I just finished watching it, while typing this! I've been rooting for her since I saw her audition. She's a great singer, but can she sing all the songs from Okalahoma:) I loved Bo too, but Carrie was better. She got to take home the car and the plane! I hope I can sing as well as her one day, but of course in my own style. Now I want her album :( Damn Australia who hasn't got it!

Well, folks that's all from me for a while. Exam block in just a couple of days! Noo! I want to get rid of those nasty B's and turn them into A's so I'm gonna study my little head off for the next week or so. (My friend got A+ A+ A+ (for the different sections of marking) on her relgion assignment! jawdrop) Sorry I can't give you more sooner. And thanks for the reviews! I love them, and I love you guys for being patient and reading my story. I hope I can write as well as J.K.Rowling one day, but of course in my own style! Lol

Bye for now

JamSack