Inescapable Chapter 17

AN: Disclaimer and all in Chapter 1.

Sorry I haven't updated in a while, I've had programming coming out of my ears... not to mention a bit of steam, for the past week. My brain is fried so I've kept it short for now. Hope you enjoy!

"Been here long?" Jacob opened an eyelid to see Jack, as he became aware of someone in the room. Jack smiled at him.

"Hey, Dad," Jack greeted him and Jacob grinned and threw his eyes up. He watched as Jack stole a last look at Sam and swivelled on his feet to face his bed. Jacob raised an eyebrow as he noticed Jack was wearing civvies and looking more than uncomfortable about something. "Just came in to say hi," Jack explained and Jacob nodded.

"Going home?" Jacob was surprised at this, considering what Daniel had told him. He decided a bit more small talk to relax the General would also help the ease into what would eventually be a sombre conversation.

"Yeah, got dinner plans," he smirked and shoved his hands in his pockets. Jacob closed his eyes in acknowledgment. Jack wasn't going to be anymore forthcoming, especially not about what plans he had, or rather who he had them with. "How you doing?" Jack's tone seemed to take a nose dive and although it was a stupid question to ask normally, it was Jack's way of showing his concern. He wasn't good with words, but the way he delivered certain sentences and the look in his eyes was enough - he might as well have recited the alphabet just now and Jacob still would've heard what he was really saying - or feeling.

"Good," Jacob teased and Jack raised an eyebrow at him, almost admonishing him for the joke. Jack O'Neill not wanting to joke, this was a momentous occasion. Or a grave one. Jacob sighed. They all knew how he was; nothing was going to change it. He had accepted it and hoped that everyone else would too. Talking about it would only annoy him, it would be like ignoring the fact that Sam was lying just behind Jack, remotely lifeless. Jacob grinned at the thought - reminded of what Daniel had forewarned him about. Jack's eyebrow danced a little now, wondering what exactly Jacob found amusing. "It's not important, Jack," Jacob paused and glanced at Sam, almost anticipating Jack's disagreement.

When noting came, he glanced to Jack and found him turned, gazing sadly at Sam. Jacob was filled with a relief that he had someone who understood. He would've been pressed to say it about anyone else, but he had a belief Jack knew exactly how he was feeling. And Jacob knew exactly how Jack was feeling as he was swiftly reminded of his ownwife when he caught the look in Jack's eyes while he stared quietly at Sam's bed. Jacob sighed deeply in his head. He was no fool, Jack O'Neill was in love with his daughter and Jacob was in no doubt that Sam was just as crazy about Jack. It saddened him to think that something as simple as black ink in a little rule book prevented them from sharing it with each other. Prevented Jack from really feeling the anguish that was raging wildly beneath the military demeanour he clung to and had Sam marrying another man.

"She'll be okay, Jack," Jacob whispered and Jack blinked, foggy eyes appearing from behind his lids. They moved slowly to fall on Jacob. He licked his lips and Jacob noticed the muscles in Jack's neck tighten.

"Yeah…" Was all he said before looking to the ground, hiding his eyes.

"I haven't seen Pat about," Jacob said suddenly, reminded of something. Jack's eyebrows climbed his forehead and slowly, a smile sprayed out onto his face.

"Pete," Jack corrected him with laughter.

"Whatever," Jacob replied, betraying his distaste for a man he hadn't even met. It wasn't that he didn't like him; it was just that he knew he wasn't good enough for Sam.

"He's been in a few times," Jack told him, looking away.

"Big of him, he's only marrying her…" Jacob sneered. He heard Jack take a slow deliberate breath and release it evenly.

"Carter broke off their engagement."

If Jack had been looking at him, he would've saw Jacobs eyes trying their best to dislodge themselves. But, he only heard, "Oh." A cough and, "Why?"

Jack shrugged to his question. "Daniel told me," he emphasised, hoping Jacob wouldn't question him on it any further if he thought he knew no more than he didnow.

"You have any idea why she didn't go through with it?"

Jack cursed in his head and tried to hide the sigh that passed his lips, not succeeding. He moved to look at Jacob. "No." As he watched Jacob he knew the man didn't believe him. "I guess she wasn't happy," he offered as an after thought.

"Uhuh," Jacob said.

"Jacob," Jack began, recognising that tone. "I-"

"Jack, let's not be coy about this," he reproached, getting serious. "To be honest, I was surprised this Pat-"

"Pete."

"-thing lasted as long as it did. Originally I thought she was just out to test herself." Jack frowned at him but Jacob presented no explanation. "After a while I began to think that maybe it wasn't her that she was testing."

"Jacob," Jack snapped impatiently, his hand flailing out of his pocket. "What the hell are you talking about?"

"You." Jack's lips parted and when he realised only air was forthcoming, he closed them again. "She's in love with you, Jack," Jacob told him firmly, irritated that Jack would have the audacity to play ignorant to such a thing right now. Jack glanced away uncomfortably.

"That's a popular opinion," Jack muttered, an image of Daniel flashing in his mind.

"But not yours?" Jacob wondered and Jack's eyes snapped to him.

"God, you're as bad as Daniel…" Jack grimaced and blew his cheeks out. "I guess not," he breathed. "I… Carter deserves more." An incredulous grunt came from Jacob's throat and Jack's eyes narrowed at him.

"She won't be happy with second best Jack. She never was." Jack shrugged.

"It'd be a step up from me," Jack threw at him.

"You know, if she can hear us, she'd probably be spouting something about your 'stubborn ass' right now." Jack suddenly deflated and shot his eyes to Sam, clearly frightened that she could hear them.

"With a 'sir' thrown in for good measure," Jack added, throwing his eyebrow up and glancing from Sam to Jacob. He met laughter in the older man's eyes and they both shared a chuckle.

"Don't let her settle, Jack." Jack went to Sam's bedside again as Jacob grew serious again. "Give her the man she's in love with."

Jack grunted and said, "I gotta go." Jacob glared at him, noticing a cowardice he never saw in Jack before as he slunk out the door.

Jack's eyes flew open. His heart was beating wildly, he wasn't sure why and for some reason it scared the hell out of him. He was forgetting something, something important. He blinked, feeling a bead of sweat roll down from his forehead.

"Hey," Kerry's face floated over his head. She looked worried. Jack cleared his throat, trying to fight the haziness that was settled thickly around him. She brought a hand up to caress his cheek as she leaned over him in the bed. "You had a nightmare," she whispered, seeing the confusion in his face.

Jack relaxed a little now, letting his body melt back into the covers, moulding into their softness and Kerry's body, that was now pressed closely against him. He couldn't remember what he'd dreamt but he did know that it had been a long time since he had a nightmare, never mind one so powerful. He could still register the terror somewhere in the back of his mind, only a faint echo now, but it was still there.

"Jack?" He finally looked at her, turning his head to find his face centimetres from hers on the pillow.

"I don't remember…" he said. She gave him a faint smile but it was quickly followed by a small sigh.

"Jack, we need to talk."

Any thoughts?