A/N: I was going to make this the last chapter but I have at least 2 more on the way. This is a little too cutesy than I usually do, but I'm okay with it. I hope you've been enjoying it so far. Thanks for all the reviews and follows and favorites.

Daniel is outside Jack's door. He figures this won't be the first or last time he gets involved between the two of them. He and Jack had talked a few times about Sam. The first time was the first day they met her. Daniel had been perturbed by the way Jack had treated her. Jack was for certain that Sam was just playing "tough," and a trip through the gate may just set her back to lead scientist position. Daniel reminded Jack that he was a civilian and by all means had even "less right" to go through the gate, but Jack ensured Daniel "that was different."

After meeting Teal'c, they had another conversation where Jack had easily changed his mind about his second in command. Daniel was happy because he had easily befriended Sam. The two of them making conversation easily, talking about various topics, and the more he learned about Sam, the more he felt she should have been on that first mission to Abydos. He wondered how it would have changed the situation, but he knows there is no going back, and it doesn't really matter.

The third time they have a conversation, Jack was trying to get Daniel to realize that his wife was gone, a host of their enemy. It didn't seem like there was much they could do to help her. Jack so much, as mentioned, that Daniel and Carter would be good for each other. The way Jack had said it was almost painful, and Daniel looked at Jack knowing then, that Jack had feelings for her. Daniel remembered exactly what he said that day:

Daniel was depressed, afraid for his wife, lost about what the next step was.

"Danny, it's over. She's already gone, but that doesn't mean you are. Why don't you take Sam out this weekend?" Jack claimed.

"What so you don't do something you're not supposed to with her?" So she can be taken, and you don't have a chance? So that you can move on? Sam is a wonderful woman, beautiful, smart, what's not to love? But she's not Sharae' I'm sorry Jack I'm not over her, and it seems to me you'll never be over Sam." Jack had walked out of Daniel's office, slamming the door behind him after that.

As months turned into years together, there were multiple times Daniel was rooting for the couple. The Sam that had come through the mirror, after losing her Jack, gave him hope that his Jack and Sam would finally give in. Of course, it never happened. Daniel was hoping that possibly would show them an opportunity, but if anything, it pushed Jack and Sam further away. Sam had told Daniel about the incident with Anise. She had prayed that Anise would realize that her dad didn't need to know the details. She had quickly told Jack she didn't want to pursue anything, not when the team was so in sync, not when she would have more to lose than just Jack. Sam had told Daniel she wasn't sure what would happen if they had a relationship. But at the time, Earth was more important, and she was still a little confused by all the memories Jolinar had given her. Then the same day she shot and killed Martouf, it was the hardest thing she had ever done. She knew that he loved her, and she didn't feel the same couldn't feel the same. She wanted to. It would have made everything so much easier, she told Daniel all of this in confidence, but he wasn't sure what he would have to do or say to get Jack to open up.

As Daniel rings the doorbell, he has no clue how he's going to explain everything to Jack. If Jack were in his mood of playing dumb, Daniel would have to break it fast because he felt like this might be Jacks's last chance. Daniel wasn't against Steven, he truly liked the man, but if Sam married that guy, it would leave Jack hurt, and honestly, Daniel would feel like Sam was just settling. So here he was, hoping this worked.

When Jack answers the door, he had been drinking, and Daniel frowns not at the fact he's drinking, but he's obviously drunk, and now, it was going to be 100 times harder to get through to him.

"What do you want, Daniel?" Jack asks.

"For you get your head out of your ass!" Daniel replies.

Jack looks oddly at the man.

"What the hell are you talking about, Danny?" Jack asks.

"Do you know I've been with Sam all evening, and you know what we were talking about?" Daniel asks.

"Hard to say, Carter, could be talking about anything. Get you two in a room, and I'm sure you could find a new field of science given enough time." Jack pointed out.

"It wasn't science, it wasn't about her car, or her dad or her motorcycles, no, Jack, it was about you," Daniel said gruffly.

Jack set his beer down and just looked at the man.

"And what the hell did I do? Last I checked, she and Steven seemed pretty close. How the hell is that my fault?" Jack asks.

"Because you two don't know how to be selfless for one damn moment of your lives. You two skirt around the issue of wanting to be involved. You're making each other miserable, for once can't you two just do what you want to?" Daniel asks.

"You know the rules Carter's off-limits to me, Danny," Jack stated.

"She's technically not, and you both know it. It wouldn't be difficult to change teams, to talk to Hammond, to do something, anything than what you're doing now." Daniel claims.

"What do you want me to do Daniel, tell her I love her, tell her the planet to be damned, let's get together, and see where it goes. However, we've spent the last 5 years trying to save everyone else we love and care about. let's throw it all away to see if we can work?" Jack asks.

"Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying," Daniel claims.

"We have more important roles than self-indulgence. Besides, Carter knows perfectly well, and we can't." Jack claims.

"Jesus, maybe your right; if the two of you don't think you deserve to be happy, then so be it. I'll just watch my two best friends sulk in misery until one of you dies on some mission that gets to be too much. I'll have the joy of knowing at least the two of you both knew how you wished you could love each other and never get the chance. I should have known better and just told Sam to marry Steven and get over you." Daniel said rather worked up.

"Wait, what! Carter's getting married?" Jack asks, suddenly upset.

"No, Jack, of course not! She's not getting married, but she's wondering if it's even right to be seeing Steven when her heart belongs to someone else." Daniel claims.

Jack looks oddly at him, "Sam has someone else she's seeing?"

"I know your, drunk but don't be dense, you Jack. She cares for you, wants you, loves you, and if you don't think everyone else doesn't see it, you're dumber than I thought. Jack, if you don't make your move soon, you may not lose her to Steven, but you'll lose her to someone else." Daniel claims.

With no goodbyes, Daniel walks out the door closing his eyes, wondering if that was a horrible mistake or the best decision he's made in a long time.

Sam arrives to the SGC early the next day. Her dad and tow it's Friday, and with no Tokra messages, Jacob hopes he has another free week on Earth. Something is going on with Sam. He just knows it and wants to make sure she's okay before he's off again for who knows how long.

When Sam and Jacob walk towards Jack, he completely ignores them and walks by as though he never even saw them. Jacob finds it odd, but he is currently off to see Daniel in hopes of working on some translations.

Sam is surprised when it's pushing 1 pm, and Jack hasn't come to get her. Usually, Jack is the one to round up her and Daniel to remind them to eat, and unless there is some major incident, he's always in her office by 12:05. She walks to his office to see it empty and walks towards the briefing room, and it's empty as well. She finally stops in at Daniel's to see her dad and Daniel going over some notes.

When Sam mentions the time, Daniel's eyes go wide for a second realizing that Jack was ignoring the two of them and he was to blame.

"Well, I guess it's time for lunch. I'm sure Jack is just up to something." Daniel says, slightly nervous.

Sam gives him a look, but Daniel doesn't elaborate, and they go to see what's for lunch. Sam notices Steven and SG-3. He waves Daniel and Sam, and Jacob over to join them. The group starts discussing the recruits, it was SG-3s turn to do training, and they're are giggling about the issues that happened before they were finally accepted into the program. Steven is close to Sam, and she doesn't seem to notice until he brushes up against her hand. She doesn't say anything but slightly moves closer to Daniel, realizing though she hasn't broken up with the man or discussed anything about her mental conflict. Sam knows there is absolutely nothing wrong with dating him. He is familiar, caring, and kind. When he came back, the butterflies were in her stomach, and he was exciting and new once more, but now she didn't know how to feel. Normalcy with Steven could be, would it ever be normal. She closed her eyes and wondered once again where Jack O'Neill was.

It was getting late, so late that Daniel had actually pulled Sam out of her research and told her she should probably wind down, she hadn't seen Jack all day, and although she knew the man was there just down the hall, it felt different not seeing his face.

"Before your dad has to go, what about a team night this weekend?" Daniel asks.

"Dad, you in?" Sam asks.

"Course, whose hosting?" Jacob asks.

"Mmm, it's my turn." Sam groans.

Daniel lightly laughs. Sam always grumbles when it's her turn, but they all agree she picks the best food and has the most comfortable couch.

"I'll call Jack tonight and let him know tomorrow at 6 pm? Daniel asks.

Sam nods.

"What's tomorrow at 6 pm?" Jack asks as he pops into Carter's office.

"Sir?" Sam says, shocked that he's there so late and has just made his appearance.

"Team night, I'll go tell T and see you tomorrow," Daniel claims.

Jack just nods.

"Sorry about not being around hope you and Daniel found your way to lunch like big girls and boys." Jack jokes.

"Yes, sir, eventually," Sam claims

"Good, good, I'm off. See you tomorrow Carter, Jacob." Jack claims before making his way to the elevator.

Sam nods and finished up for the day, and she and Jacob go back to her home. She realizes that this is the most she's seen her home and months. She is happy to have more balance suddenly and wished that her dad could stay forever. She knows, though, that sooner rather than later, the Tokra will find that they need his help, and he will be off again for who knows how long. Sam usually doesn't worry about her dad, but there are moments when she wonders who is doing more dangerous work.

Sam and Jacob make it home, and Sam has a text from Steven on her phone.

"If you want to go out with him, go," Jacob claims.

"I don't know, dad," Sam claims.

"Uh oh, trouble in paradise, already?" Jacob asks.

Sam frowns.

"I didn't mean to make light. Tell me what's going on." Jacob claims.

"Nothing, dad. I'm just not sure what I want right now," Sam admitted.

Jacob nodded "there is nothing wrong with that, Sam." Jacob claims, and Sam sighs, looking back at her phone, wondering what to do.

"Just go. I'll be fine here, and I won't wait up." Jacob claimed.

Sam smiled and went to her bedroom to change. She isn't sure what Steven has in mind and hasn't even let him know that she is willing to go out with him. She messages back quickly, and he tells her to dress warmly. She smiles and decides maybe he's building a bonfire or maybe a late moonlight stroll. Sam rolls her eyes at the second thought. Sam had always wanted romance but never expected it. None of her past relationships had been overly romantic. Maybe that's what was missing, she thought. Maybe if Steven showed some romance, it would tip the scales in his favor; maybe he can show her a different way of doing things. Sam grabbed a Sweater that Daniel had given to her 2 years ago for Christmas. It was the warmest thing she owned other than her coat. She put on a pair of jeans and sneakers. She said goodbye to Jacob and drove to Steven's house.

When she got there, he smiled at the sweater, the sun had already set, and he had a fire set up in the backyard. Not a bonfire, but larger than a campfire, which told her he wanted to be out there for several hours. She had sat around a campfire a lot in her life. She enjoyed watching the plasma flames whisp up into the air. She liked the crackle of the wood, it tended to soothe her, and when the flames burned out in the early hours of the morning, it reminded her that everything had a beginning and an end.

Steven lit a large fire starter and put it in the middle watching as the dry wood caught and created heat. Sam smiled at him as they sat beside each other on a blanket, and they both watched the wood burn.

"Smores?" Steven asks.

Sam smiles and grabs a marshmallow. She feels different from Steven. She doesn't feel like she has to be playing the role. When she's at the SGC, she really does have to put on a show for everyone she feels. Downtime with the guys is different, but at work where ever she goes, she is expected to be the smartest person in the room. She is expected to know what to do in every situation and get it right. With Steven, he's never came questioning her needing things from her. Sam realized that Steven is her hideout, not that its a bad thing, but he was her break from her reality.

Sam decides to give her and Steven tonight to see where it goes, but she knows it won't be forever with him. She wondered if she and Steven get married, have kids. She wonders if she decided it would be "what's best." and settles for him over Jack. Sam knows that this can't last forever. She feels guilty for letting this night continue, but she needs it to escape one last time. If she and Jack don't work out, she won't fall back on Steven. That wasn't fair, and it wasn't right to him to be 2nd best. She looks over at him, pleading that somehow he can feel her thoughts and feelings, that this last night of them together wouldn't make him upset. She just feels the need to follow the night through.

Sam realizes that the two of them are talking in circles about the same things they've talked about since he's come to Colorado Springs as if they can't even stay in the present to talk about what is going on around them. Steven brings up their friend Ray, and Sam and her share stories of the man they remember so fondly. Steven brings up more of their past, and Sam can't help but get lost in her younger self. The feeling of so long ago seems to be creeping back in her mind as if it was only last week.

The weather is colder, and Sam automatically shifts towards Steven. The fire keeps them warm. The large fenced backyard he has doesn't make her feel awkward when he pulls her close and kisses her lips. She doesn't get upset that he pulls off her sweater and cups her breasts. She is quite enjoying the cool grass on her back as he pulls his shirt off and works on his pants; hers are already gone. Somehow someway, this sexual encounter, outside, looking up at the stars while Steven pushes into her is everything she needs. When the two of them finish, Steven doesn't say a word as they help each other dress. The sex was good, different, better than Sam and he had ever had, and now she feels a little more guilty for her feelings.

"Let's take a walk?" Steven asks. Sam nods her head. Steven extinguishes the flames, and Sam flinches as the gesture's symbolism is locked inside her brain. She is surprisingly okay with the walk around the neighborhood as they go street light to street light.

"I had no idea, and you'd be in Colorado Springs when I came. I was so excited to see you again." Steven said.

"I was shocked to see you too," Sam stated.

"I know, when I saw you, Sam, I thought that the universe had given me a second chance to be with you, and it has," Steven claims.

Sam smiled for a quick second.

"But Sam, I can see it. This isn't going to happen. This is fun and nostalgic, but this isn't going to work." Steven claimed they had wound their way down to the next street by this point, and Sam was slightly panicked, not knowing exactly where she was, but Steven kept walking, and she followed him.

"Steven…" Sam said.

"I want you to know I wanted this to work," Sam claimed.

"I know you did, we both did, but we've both changed, and we're not kids just trying to figure out how to survive the heat. You've changed the entire world! Sam, you got that gate working, you've done so much, and even though we're at the same place now, I can never measure up." Steven said.

"Steven, you know that has nothing to do with this," Sam stated.

"It does, by some off chance, I just happened to have moved here and known nothing about what you did. It wouldn't matter, Sam. I can see it in your eyes. I hate to say it, but that gate has made you jaded about so much Earth has to offer, and I am not saying your wrong. You're probably right, and I'll see it soon enough. It took me a while to notice Sam, you hide it so well, but after the past few weeks, I see it. It's not that you don't care for me. Hell, I think you actually might love me." Steven stated.

"Steven, I care so much for you, and at one point, I thought I loved you, and it's not that I don't want to be your friend or be there for you," Sam stated quickly.

"But you want, Jack, and I can never be your Colonel," Steven claimed.

"Why don't you go say hey, I'll see you Monday," Steven claimed.

Sam gave him an odd look but realized Steven had walked her to Jack's house. Sam stared at the man's house as if it was some mansion or beautiful house of worship. She felt sick to her stomach that even Steven saw that she loved the man.

"I didn't mean to…" Sam started to say.

"I know," Steven claimed and kissed Sam lightly on the lips.

"I'll see you Monday." He repeated.

Sam didn't notice him disappear down the street, as Jacks's porch light called her like a moth to the flame. She didn't know why but Steven knowing her own thoughts and feeling, somehow gave her a strength she'd been lacking. She felt the tears of mixed emotions falling down her face at a rapid rate. She felt the loss of Steven as a lover, but the opening of a door, she hadn't allowed her heart or her mind to open. Before she even knocks, Jack is at the door with a look of concern as he looks around for a car, and Sam is suddenly in his arms crying hysterically. Jack is extremely concerned by her behavior.

"Carter, what is it? What's wrong? Are you okay?" Jack asks, pulling slightly away to allow her to speak.

"Yeah, fine, I just realized that maybe we finally can do this." she claims.

She didn't realize the words that came out of her mouth until they hit her ears, and now all she can hear is the beating of her heart in her ears. Her mouth goes dry, and she feels like she could faint at any moment.

"Sam, are you sure you're okay? Let me call Janet." Jack states.

"I'm fine, please don't call Janet, I'm me, I haven't been invaded by an alien or slipped drugs or something." Sam claims.

"You're serious. What the hell, Sam? What's going on? Are you sure you're okay?" Jack asks.

Sam smiles.

"Yes, I, Steven, and I talked, and he brought me to you," Sam claims.

Jack looks at her, shakes his head, and smiles. embracing her.

"What now?" Jack asks.

"I don't know, just whatever it is, I have you," Sam stated.

"Carter, you've had me for a long time now, you know that." Jack states.

Sam looks at him, stares into his eyes, and the next words out of her mouth break his heart.

"But I didn't," Sam admitted.

"God, Sam, I'm so sorry. I should never have gone this long. You have to know you mean everything to me." Jack stated and held her close.

Jack brings her to his couch, and they sit close together, Jack holding her close, hoping that she realizes he intends never to let go.

"I'm sorry it took this long. I'm sorry I let everything else get in the way." Jack claims.

"Don't we both did, this on us, but I hope we can fix it together," Sam claims.

"Together." Jack states.