Jack spent most of the evening at the bar sipping slowly his whiskey. He had no interest getting to know Pete's friends. He was there to show support to Sam. Also, he wasn't going to get drunk. Well, not publicly anyway. He kept close eye on Sam carefully masking it so no one would notice. Their eyes met a few times but she seemed to be busy getting to know her fiancé's friends and relatives.

He'd grabbed some shrimp and salad form the buffet. At one time couple of young policemen mocked him about his sweater asking if his wife had made him wear it. He scared the crap out of them by telling he was an Air Force General and could wear what ever he wanted. It was quite fun actually.

A while later he decided he wanted some fresh air and grabbed his drink. He headed through the French doors out to the balcony. He leaned his elbows on the railing and took a sip. It was fairly warm late summer evening and the sky was clear. He looked up to the stars trying to find a constellation or two. A hundred meters or so the was a little lake and ascending moon reflected on its perfectly still surface.

"Pretty, huh?" a soft voice said behind him. He turned to see Sam walking to him. "I thought I saw you coming here. Sir." she added belatedly standing next to him. Apparently she had been keeping an eye on him, too.

"I wonder if there's any fish in the lake" she said absentmindedly. He chuckled. They stood there for a moment, admiring the view leaning their elbows on the railing.

"I miss Janet." she suddenly blurted.

"I know, I miss her too." Jack confessed.

She sighed heavily and Jack's first instinct was to pull her into hug but then he remembered where they were and laid his hand on her forearm instead. Their eyes locked and they stared each other for a long moment. Jack was about to say something when they were interrupted by the sound of two footsteps. Jack removed his hand quickly and they turned.

"There you are!" Daniel said joyfully. He was holding two glasses, one for him and one for Sam. Teal'c had something non alcoholic in his glass. They walked to their friends, Daniel beside Sam and Teal'c took place next to Jack. Daniel handed a glass to Sam and cleared his throat.

"A toast..." he hesitated.

"To Janet." Jack finished glancing at Sam who nodded sadly. "We miss her" he added in a way of explanation. As if Daniel needed one.

"To Janet." Daniel agreed. They clinked their glasses together and took a sip. Then they put their glasses on the railing and turned to admire the view.

"You have a pretty planet." Teal'c said and they all agreed. They stood there, silent, for a long time. They were all deep in their thoughts. Teal'c admired the view and he was proud to have helped save it so many times. Jack couldn't concentrate on anything but the woman standing next to him. He had almost said something when Daniel had luckily interrupted. 'Luckily... yeah.' Sam was fighting back tears. Sure she missed Janet but right now she had a feeling she was losing something important. Very important. She could feel the warmth that radiated from the man standing next to her and the tickle of his sweater through her thin scarf. Daniel was thinking about Sha're. Nowadays he didn't think about her as often as before but nights like this he truly missed her.

Sam sniffled. Jack and Daniel turned to her and after glancing Jack, Daniel pulled her to a tight embrace. "It'll be alright" he murmured to her softly. Jack placed a hand on her shoulder offering support the only way he could.

"Babe, there you are!" A joyful and slightly tipsy voice interrupted them. They turned to see Pete striding towards them. Actually, towards Sam. He eyed Daniel who let her go. " Come in, honey, the dancing is about to start." Jack's mood dropped below zero instantly. 'Dancing. This is starting to be too much.' he thought.

"Well then, let's go, kids." he said gleefully instead but made no move. Pete grabbed Sam's arm and guided her towards the doors, Daniel and Teal'c following. Jack stood still staring at the tiled floor. Sam glanced back at him and winced. Thinking nobody would see Jack had let his guard down. He was angry and she could see it as clearly as if he was shouting out loud. She was about to go back but then it was gone and she was inside the ballroom again.