Ch. 2 Sam and Dad

Sam leaned against the back of the elevator as it descended into the depths of Cheyenne Mountain. She had to admit, she was a bit nervous. Her dad would undoubtedly ask about her engagement-the one she had broken off a month prior.

Pete had taken it well enough, telling her all he ever wanted was for her to be happy. She hadn't mentioned what had happened on the fishing trip, but she felt that Pete had suspicions. Sam hoped he didn't think she had cheated on him with Jack. She would never even consider it, and even now, she and Jack hadn't broken the regs.

The last month had been, well, different. Jack was still her CO, and at work they remained professional at all times. She was sure rumors flew when news of her break up spread, but Jack's leaving had shut them up quickly enough.

Sometimes they flirted, but not when too many people were around, and never more than they had in the past. They spent some time alone out of work, but not too much. There wasn't much they could do at this point. But just knowing how he felt about her was enough to keep her going until they could really be together.

That was an issue in and of itself. Though Jack wasn't technically going to be her direct superior anymore, a relationship between them would more than likely be frowned upon by the Air Force. Just when they thought it was finally their time, they decided nothing could happen until Jack retired. It was a fine line they were walking. Hopefully, the time would come when they could cross that figurative line without repercussions.

Daniel and Teal'c didn't know yet, not officially anyway. Sam was sure they suspected something, but neither had said a word. She and Jack were going to tell them together tonight. Then tomorrow, Jack would relinquish command to General Landry, and soon after he would be gone.

There would be a gap of just a couple of days where perhaps they could dabble in their relationship. Hammond would be the head of Homeworld Security, Landry would be running the SGC, and Jack would be…available. SG-1 was scheduled for a mission the next day, but when she returned, she knew where she would be spending her time.

Sam closed her eyes. It was going to be so hard, but it would be worth it. The elevator stopped and Sam headed for Jack's office.

----

"Dad!"

Jacob stood to his feet as his daughter entered the room. "Sam." He hugged her tightly. "How's it been kiddo?"

"Good, Dad," Sam replied with a smile. Jacob cocked his head at her, searching her eyes. "Really." Sam glanced to Jack.

"Oh, uh, I'll be bugging Walter if you need me. You know, I'm really going to miss that guy…" Jack said, quickly leaving the office.

Sam sat and Jacob followed suit.

"So?" he prodded. "Last I heard, my only daughter was engaged."

"Yes, well…not anymore."

"What happened?" Jacob asked, trying his best to sound sympathetic. In actuality, he was ecstatic.

"I realized it wasn't what I really wanted, that I needed to get out before people got hurt."

Jacob had to stop himself from grinning. He could hear Selmak chastising him. Thank God she had figured it out, probably with a little help from her friends.

"I'm sorry, Sam. How did Pete handle it?"

"We're ok. He's gone back to Denver, but we're on good terms. I think he might have known it wasn't going to work out."

Jacob leaned in, pulling his daughter close. She returned the embrace, holding him tightly. Jacob could hear Selmak in the back of his mind. 'Ok, ok,' Jacob shot back. "Look, Sam. I know I wasn't that…fond of Pete, but I don't want you to feel like you have to please me. I can be a jerk sometimes," Jacob admitted.

"Oh, no, Dad! It wasn't all you. What happened between us was inevitable. You just expedited it, that's all," Sam replied. "And you're not a jerk. You're just a concerned father, and that's perfectly normal."

"Okay. I just want to know you're happy."

Sam pulled away, smiling…a bit oddly in Jacob's opinion. "I am, and I will be."

Jacob studied her closely. One of his questions had been answered. She'd left Pete, which was a complete relief. But how could his daughter be, and claim she would still be, happy when Jack O'Neill was moving across the country?

He'd find out what was going on. Perhaps he'd hit Daniel and Teal'c up for information. That always seemed to work. Tonight at the 'get together', he'd drag the truth out of somebody. Someone was going to confirm his suspicions.

TBC in 'A Gathering of Friends'