She spent a while in her bedroom, giving herself a severe talking to. Since Jack had gotten sick, and especially since he'd woken up, she had not been her best. In fact, she'd said and done everything wrong. She had to figure out how to be the mature, responsible person she knew she was.

She sighed and stood up. She'd go to see him, and figure out a way to make things better between them. She was the one who had screwed everything up, so she was going to have to fix things. She just hoped that Jack would give her another chance.

She stretched and took a deep breath, and tried to calm her frazzled nerves. They didn't have to be here much longer and then it was back to Earth so she could handle this – couldn't she?

She headed to Jack's room, hoping he was there. After knocking and receiving no response, she realized he must be out somewhere. Maybe he was communicating with the Furlings!

She headed out towards the building with the machines, but happened to glance at the seating platform, to see that Jack was standing there, staring out towards the beach. He looked so – alone, she thought. She watched him for a moment, and then slowly made her way to him.

"Hi," she said as she arrived and stepped up on the platform.

He glanced at her, and then back towards the water. "Hi Carter. What's up?"

"Nothing. I just – thought I'd come and see how you were doing after all the excitement of earlier."

He nodded and then let out a long, slow breath "I'm fine. In fact I feel great," he smiled. "I feel like I'm healthier than I have been for years, so I'm not quite sure why they want me to stay longer."

"Probably to make sure you're totally recovered," she said. "You are looking amazing. I don't know what they did, but you look like you did when I first met you."

"Really?" he asked. "That's good – I guess. Is my hair brown too?" he asked with a chuckle.

"Actually – it does look like it's starting to go brown."

"You're kidding, right?" he asked, sounding startled and not quite sure whether she was pulling his leg or not.

"No, it really has changed color. For a while it was gray, but I think it's going brown now."

"Wow – maybe this place is the fountain of youth." He glanced quickly towards her and then straight ahead again. "You're lookin' pretty good yourself, Carter," he told her. "In fact you also look like the young officer I first met all those years ago."

"Really?" she said, repeating his words. "I know I feel good, but since there aren't any mirrors around here, I guess I haven't noticed. It's strange though. I thought that maybe that machine was responsible, and it's been helping you, not me."

"Maybe you got the overflow," he suggested with a grin.

She laughed. "Maybe. Whatever it was, I must admit it's nice not to have any aches and pains."

"Now Carter, you can't tell me you have aches and pains. You're way too young."

"Not so young anymore, I'm afraid," she told him. "Time has a way of moving by quickly."

"It does," he nodded.

"You know we're going to have some explaining to do when we get home. I hope they don't think we're our own clones."

"Damn! You're right. We'll have to go through all sorts of poking and prodding," he sighed, sounding despondent. "I hate that."

"Me too. It always reminds me -" she stopped and bit her lip.

"Of Janet?" he asked softly.

"Yeah," she answered. "Which is ridiculous, considering she's been gone for years."

"I miss her still," Jack agreed. "She was part of our team. Have you heard from Cassie lately?"

"Mmm hmm. We talk regularly. I was planning on visiting her when my leave came up. I like to spend time with her and Joe and the kids."

"Yeah, me too," Jack agreed. That seemed to stop the conversation. Sam thought of the fact that they would have been visiting them together – if not for her stupidity. She wondered if Jack was thinking the same thing.

"You said you saw Teal'c – before we came here," his gesture indicated their island.

"Yes – he came when he heard you were sick. He only left to find someone to help."

"I'm glad he did," Jack agreed. "How are Ishta and his kids?"

"They're doing well, I think, although we really didn't talk about that too much. We were too worried about you."

There was another pause, until she heard Jack take a deep breath. "I don't think I adequately thanked you for all you've done for me," he said. "I know you didn't plan on all this."

"No – no, I didn't – but I'm glad it happened. Oh, I don't mean your stroke – of course not that, but I'm glad they brought me here, with you."

"Really?" his eyebrows went up, but he didn't look at her.

"Really," she said softly. She moved until she was standing beside him, although like him she kept her eyes facing forward. She made sure to keep some inches between them, although everything in her wanted to lean into him, to put her head on his shoulder, to remember those times from years ago.

"What is it?" he asked gently. Although he wasn't looking at her, he could obviously sense her mood.

"I wanted to apologize," she said.

He sighed and rubbed his eyes. "It's okay Carter. I think – let's just leave it, okay?"

"I wish I could, but I keep – hurting you – and I don't mean to. I'm so sorry I threw your offer of friendship back at you. I was – hurt – and frightened but it was stupid and cruel, and I'm sorry."

He frowned and turned towards her. "Frightened? Why would you be frightened?" he asked. "I've never done anything to you."

"No, no – I wasn't frightened of you," she told him. "I was frightened of myself – of the fact that it was going to hurt to see you, to be with you and know that I'd royally screwed up. I thought that being professional – like we have been for the past fifteen years, would make it easier for me – and for you."

"For me?" he asked, almost angrily.

"Yes. I thought you'd be uncomfortable after I – after I told you how I still felt."

He put his hands through his hair, and heaved a deep sigh. "How did things get so screwed up?" he asked, after a moment.

"How? They got this way because I acted like an idiot – then, and now. All I can say is I'm so, so sorry. It was all my fault, Jack and I made things worse after we got here. I'm not expecting you to change how you feel about me, but I don't want to spend the last few days here avoiding you or having you mad at me because I was a – a selfish idiot."

"You've never been an idiot, Sam," he told her gently, "or selfish. I think – we both made mistakes and I'm sorry I reacted the way I did. It's a strange situation – us being thrown together like this after all these years. It's not surprising that neither one of us handled it really well."

"No? I thought you did. You were kind and – hell, I'm just so sorry."

"Okay Carter, enough," he said gently. "I appreciate the apology and I agree – let's at least be civil and friendly with one another. We're not here for much longer – at least I hope not – and I agree it will be much easier if we're at least amicable with one another."

"Thank you Sir," she said, briefly closing her eyes.

"Uh – how about "Jack"? he asked, glancing at her.

She smiled, but also could feel the tears gather in her eyes. She blinked rapidly, hoping he didn't see. "Thank you – Jack," she finally got out.

The two of them remained there for a few more minutes, standing quietly looking out at the distant water. For the first time in a while it was a companionable silence, which came to an end when Jack announced he was hungry.

"It's a wonder I'm not putting on weight again," he commented to Sam. "The food here is amazing."

"It is," she agreed, "although I think it's really healthy too."

"Go figure – healthy food that tastes good. Speaking of which," he nodded towards the path back to the buildings. She turned around to see Danny – no Kimon – walking towards them with a tray of food.

"They must have heard you say you were hungry," she commented.

That caused Jack to frown. "I don't think so," he said. "I think it's just dinner time. At least I hope that's the case. I don't like the idea of them reading my mind!"

"Things to hide, Jack?" she grinned.

Jack glanced at her and waggled his eyebrows, but didn't answer. It was the best moment they'd spent together in days.

Kimon placed the tray down and then turned to Jack. The two stood silently, but then the young man grinned, waved at Sam and headed back to the main building.

"What was that?" Sam asked as she sat down.

Jack looked rather uncomfortable, and just shrugged. "Boy talk," he said.

"Boy talk?"

"Well – he's a young guy and – well – he notices things." Jack sat down and began to serve himself some dinner. Sam continued to look at him, which finally caused him to lift his eyes.

"What things?" she asked innocently.

Jack rolled his eyes. "He thinks you're – uh – sexy," he said in a rush.

"He -" she choked and had to take a drink of water. "Jack, I'm old enough to be his mother – hell, I'm practically old enough to be his grandmother!"

"What? No way Carter – don't be ridiculous. You're not that old. And anyway – I told you, you look way younger. In fact, you're looking great!"

She thanked him, but suddenly felt uncomfortable, so quickly changed the subject. She asked about the Furlings and what other information he'd learned from them. He gave a few more details, although he hadn't really had time to learn too much.

"It feels weird, Carter," he told her finally. "I don't know if I like being able to communicate with them."

"Why not?"

"Well, it's not them – it's just – I get tired of this damn Ancient gene of mine always getting me to do stuff that others can't do. It's gets tiring."

"I can understand that," she nodded, "although I must admit I'd kill to be able to talk to them. I feel so useless."

"You, useless? Sam, you're probably one of the smartest people in the universe and you've done more to save Earth – and other planets – than anyone I know. That's not useless!"

"I haven't done anything since I've been here," she pointed out. "I didn't even help you get better!"

"Carter, yes you did! You stayed with me night and day – and you were there when I woke up. That meant – means – everything. I would have been terrified if you weren't there. So don't you dare say you're useless. You're a brilliant scientist, one of the best soldiers I've ever known – and you're a wonderful friend and I'm very glad you're here!"

She had to swallow a couple of times before she could manage a single word. "Thank you, Jack," she finally managed to say. "That means – a lot."

"Yes, well, let's talk about what we're going to do tomorrow," he told her, changing the subject. "Want to go fi – uh – for a day at the beach?"

She wondered what he'd been about to say, but rather than dwelling on it, she simply nodded. "That would be great. Are you up to it?"

"Oh yeah. I told you – I feel great. Better than I have in years. Let's ask the Furlings for a picnic and head down there tomorrow. We should go swimming," he told her.

"That would be fun," she exclaimed, until she realized she didn't have a proper bathing suit. She'd have to figure something out because there was no way in hell she was going to practically skinny dip with Jack.

They chatted well into the evening, enjoying one another's company. Again, they didn't touch on anything too personal and were able to avoid too many pitfalls. There were a few times when one or the other would say something that would bring up memories, but they'd silently agree to ignore those things and move the conversation into safer topics.

Finally it was getting late, and Sam yawned. That was the clue for Jack to announce it was late and they needed to get to bed. She wanted to shoot herself for breaking up the evening, but the truth was, she was tired. The last few days – hell, weeks had been draining and she was tired.

They walked back to their building together, once more the silence was friendly. When they reached their rooms they said goodnight and Sam was soon inside her room.

"Oh Jack," she said softly. She loved him so much and tonight had been a combination of wonderful and painful. Every time she spent an enjoyable moment with him, it reminded her of what she had thrown away.

But at least they were back to being friends. She had to be thankful for that, at least.

On that thought she washed, changed into a clean night robe, and went to bed. She fell asleep almost instantly, and this time, her dreams were pleasant.

"I