Thanks so much to everyone for your patience. Unfortunately real life intervened there for a while. But, I'm back, and while I was supposed to put this in the last chapter, I totally forgot. So, I think there are 1 or 2 more chapters after this...we'll see. Happy reading! - Christine

The restaurant was set up like an old time dinner dance hall. There was a small dance floor with a jazz band and tables set back in little coves all around it.

Sam and Jack were led to their table in the corner across from an elderly couple. The older woman smiled at Sam as Jack helped her get into the booth. Jack sat next to her and the waiter handed them menus.

"Did you see that?" Sam whispered to Jack, as she opened her menu.

"What?" asked Jack, "And why are we whispering?"

Sam smiled, "The couple over at the other table. Don't look!"

Jack turned and smiled at them, "What about them?" asked Jack.

"Oh, man, I told you not to look." She smiled courteously at the couple, and then buried her face in the menu. "She smiled at me when we came in." Said Sam.

"And that's a problem?" asked Jack.

"Well, no. It's just, I think she thought we were together." Said Sam.

Jack put down his menu and looked around, "We ARE together, Sam. Unless you've got Teal'c stuffed in that cute little pocketbook you're carrying?"

Sam put down her menu, "You know what I mean. Like TOGETHER." She raised her eyebrows.

"Oh," Jack said, finally seeing where Sam was going with this. "TOGETHER." He started to laugh, "Oh, c'mon Sam, relax. So what if they think that. We're not doin anything wrong. We're out celebrating your breakthrough. And we're friends and colleagues. We just happen to make a very handsome couple."

Sam smiled, picking up her menu, "You're right. We're not doing anything wrong. And well, we do make a handsome couple don't we?"

"Well, I'm handsome. You? You're absolutely gorgeous. You know, I don't think I've ever seen you in a dress before. Well, not counting that blue one with the headdress. And dress blues don't count."

Sam looked down at the menu, "Stop it! You're making me blush. And I'm not gorgeous. I'm an Air Force Colonel For cryin out loud."

The waiter came by and took their orders, and Jack held up his glass of wine, "Ok, I will stop with the 'gorgeous' talk. Even though you are stunning in that dress." Sam glared at him, "A toast. To taking first steps."

Sam raised her glass, "To taking first steps." They clinked glasses and drank some wine.

"So," said Jack, "How long have you had that cute little red dress sitting in the closet, hmm?"

Sam glared at him, "I thought we weren't going to talk about this anymore?"

"C'mon Sam. You look beautiful. And I never get to tell you that, seeing as how we're never in a situation like we are now. Usually we're dodging bullets or staff weapons, or battling aliens. So I'm gonna take the opportunity to tell you that you look awesome in that dress. There, I'm done, I promise."

Sam blushed, "Well, alright. And thank you. It's just...well I'm not used to getting those kinds of comments, being in the Air Force and all. But thank you. I've had this dress for awhile and I figured this night was a good a night as any to finally wear it."

"Good choice." Said Jack taking some bread from the breadbasket.

"You look quite handsome yourself you know. Pretty good for such short notice." Sam reached over and plucked a piece of fuzz off of his sleeve.

"Well thank you. See, I don't need the Fab Five to tell me how to dress now do I?"

Sam laughed, "Nope. Nothing for them to fix here."

They both laughed. The rest of their dinner was wonderful. The food was great and so was the conversation. Sam and Jack were perfectly comfortable around each other. By the time they were ready for dessert they were still deeply engrossed in stories from their childhood. They didn't even notice the elderly couple finishing their dinner and getting up to leave until they were standing at their table.

"Excuse me you two," said the wife, "I just wanted to tell you what a stunning couple you two make. How long have you been married?"

Sam and Jack stared at each other, "Uh..well.." Jack tried to answer but couldn't form the words.

"We're not married ma'am. Just very good friends." Said Sam. Jack shot her a 'thank you' look.

"Really?" replied the older woman, "That's a pity. From afar, you two look like you were made for each other. Oh well, my mistake. I'm so sorry to have bothered you."

"It's ok, really," said Jack, finding his voice.

"Have a good night," said Sam. "Cute couple," said Sam, clearing her throat, "I guess it isn't far fetched to have mistaken us for a couple huh?"

"Yeah, I mean we were together tonight. Only natural to assume we were TOGETHER." Said Jack, shifting uncomfortably

"So, coffee and dessert?" asked the waiter, as he approached the table.

"Uh, yeah, coffee and dessert sounds great. Just great." Said Jack, looking down at his watch. "I mean unless you'd rather..."

"Nope, coffee and dessert sound fine. How about that chocolate chocolate cake?"

"Me too," said Jack. "Thanks."

"Two coffees and two chocolate chocolate cakes coming right up." Said the waiter and he left to get their orders.

"You tired?" asked Jack.

"A little bit," said Sam, "But I think I can still do coffee and dessert. Unless you want to go..."

"Nope. I'm good. Just checking on you. You know, you've had a big day. You need to rest up if you're gonna walk again tomorrow. Hell before you know it, you'll be on active duty again and you can kick my butt out of your house and back to Washington."

For a moment they both fell silent. For the first time since they had started 'living' together there was tension. The good mood they had been in had suddenly gone bad with the realization that what they had now would soon have to end.

Sam looked down at her hands, folded in her lap, "Yeah, um I guess you'll be happy to go back to work in DC?"

Jack started spinning his spoon on the table, "Yeah, right. Happy." The waiter brought coffee and dessert, "Oh look, cake. Let's forget about Washington and eat cake. After all, we're still celebrating right?"

Sam perked up a bit, "Right."

"Ok then. Now this is the perfect way to end a great evening." Said Jack taking a forkful of cake.

"Absolutely," said Sam diving into her slice of cake.

The two exchanged uneasy smiles, knowing that the better she got, the sooner they would have to part company and go back to their lives. Trouble was, could they go back to the way things were? Could Sam and Jack ever go back to being Carter and Sir?