A few days later Jack was sitting in his office, reading reports and signing requisitions. Naturally because that was about all he did these days.
"Come in!" he shouted when he heard a knock on his door. He looked up and saw Carter's blond head peering through the door. "All of you." he added when she didn't move. She stepped in biting her lower lip and fiddling with a piece of paper in her hands. She was nervous and Jack was instantly alarmed. The only thing she could be nervous about was the one thing they never talked about, the proverbial elephant in the room. The wedding.
"Um. Sir." she began and stopped.
"Spill it, Carter" Jack ordered with enough command in his voice to make her comply and enough softness to ease her nervousness. 'God, how does he do that.' a fleeting thought flashed her mind.
"Ah. We're having a little get-together this Friday." she didn't have to say who the other part of "we" was. "To get our friends to know each other before.." she didn't finish. Jack said nothing. He looked at her expectantly.
"Anyway, I thought maybe you'd like to come." 'No!' Jack's first instict was to shout. ' Absolutely not! There's no way I'm watching you two play happy couple twice!'
"Sure, I'll be there" he said instead. Of course.
"Great!" she smiled obviously relieved. "Here's the place" she said handing him a small business card. Jack took the card ignoring the tingly sensation the brief touch of her fingers caused and surveyed the card. The restaurant was unfamiliar to him and he suspected Carter didn't know it either, hence the card.
"Thank you." he said looking her straight to the eyes. Sam nodded and when he didn't say anything turned to leave. Jack couldn't help smiling when she walked out the door. At least she had learned not to wait for official dismissal. At least when they were alone. Jack hated that. It felt like he was sending her out his life every time.
As the dreaded day came closer Jack's mood worsened. It was not like his staff had to walk on eggshells or anything but the witty remarks and sarcastic jokes ceased to exist. People wondered what was going on. Most of them knew nothing, some suspected but Daniel was the only one knew who for sure.
"You know, you don't have to come but I have feeling we'll be HER only friends there." he had said once.
"Yeah."
Friday night Jack, Daniel and Teal'c were standing on doorway of ballroom of a nice restaurant across town. It was nicely decorated, big flower vases on tables, garlands hanging on the walls and even some blue and white bunting. On the left was a buffet table and a little bar in the corner. On the right there were big windows and a couple of French doors leading to a balcony. There were about 50 people in the ballroom.
Jack scanned the room trying to find familiar faces. Well, A familiar face at least. He found no one. Except her. The doorway was a couple of steps above the floorlevel so he had a clear view to her. She was standing beside her soon-to-be- husband talking to another couple. She was smiling politely but didn't seem to take part in the conversation. She was wearing a silky-looking sky blue halter neck dress that fitted her perfectly. She had a darker blue scarf draped around her bare shoulders and she looked stunning. Jack could't get his eyes off of her. He just stood there his gaze fixed on her. Just then, as if she'd feel that, she turned slightly and spotted him. Her face lit up and she flashed that mega watt Carter smile that reached her eyes. She excused herself and started maneuvering through the crowd towards them.
A hand on Jack's shoulder pulled him back to reality. "I told you so." Daniel whispered.
