A Couple of Weeks Later:

It was Samantha's birthday. Jack nervously looked at the jewelry in front of him. He was afraid to get a ring, not wanting to make her feel uncomfortable, but she didn't wear necklaces, bracelets, or even earrings often enough for him to justify any of those.

Finally, he saw it: the perfect thing! It was a locket, in the shape of a heart. He bought it and left the store, heading to the SGC for her surprise birthday party. It was Daniel's idea, and they had left the decorating to him. It would probably be some ancient culture theme, he thought. I've got to remember not to let him plan her party next time.

The traffic out of Denver was unbelievable, and suddenly, his nervousness turned to agitation turned inwardly to himself.

O'Neill, he thought, you never give up on what you want! So, why are you giving up on her?

Because you're scared. Because of Sara and Charlie. His subconscious screamed.

He had loved them, unashamed, but they were no longer a part of his life, and it was his fault. He would always remember the pain in Sara's eyes after his double had forced them to make contact with one another again.

But there was a certain amount of pain in Samantha's eyes too, he thought.

"Wishful thinking." He muttered to himself.

Perhaps jewelry wasn't a good idea. Maybe he should return the locket and get her a pair of bunny slippers or something less associated with established relationships.

But, he thought, this might be your last chance. Shanahan's not going to wait forever before he asks her to marry him.

Just before he reached Cheyenne Mountain, he decided to go for it. Screw the flippin' frat regs, he thought. If he needed to, he would retire, or Sam might want to leave the military part of the SGC and go to being a civilian scientist or something. Darn it, he was going to ask her out!

He walked into the Multi-Purpose room in time to see Janet and Daniel put the final touches on the decorations. It wasn't ancient-culture-oriented, and Jack was grateful for that small miracle. But, he had never seen Daniel or Janet in such high spirits. They were laughing and goofing around, shamelessly. He could swear that something was going on between them.

"Having a good time, I see."

Janet turned around. "Oh, hi Colonel. Yeah, we were just . . ."

She looked at Daniel, helplessly, and he was trying not to just burst out laughing.

Jack smiled. "Yeah, I thought so."

He looked around at the balloons and crepe paper. Then, he saw the sign. Happy Birthday to the Best Astrophysicist in the Universe!

"No fair, you guys, you read my card!" Jack joked.

"Oh, so Hallmark makes a line of cards specifically for Astrophysicists, huh?" Janet asked, trying not to just double over, laughing.

"Or did you find someone who could tell you how to spell astrophysicist?" Daniel asked, pausing often to catch his breath.

"Okay, you guys. You're sounding like you had a little bit too much fun with the hydrogen. Did you inhale a little bit?"

They laughed harder.

"Sorry, Jack. It's just . . ."

Jack nodded. "Uh huh. I'll go and find Sam and distract her until you two can calm down and the party starts."

As he left, he could have sworn that Daniel asked: "Distract her with what?"

The giggling ended, and Jack was sure that they were gossiping about him and Sam now.

"Get your mind out of the gutter!" He called.

Just then, the giggling continued, Jack shook his head, and continued toward Sam's lab.

There you are, the fourth chapter of "All's Fair in Love and War." You know what to do now . . .